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Roof Gardens in Prefabricated Metal Buildings

Monday, October 24th, 2011

The continuing rise in cost of erecting structures utilizing traditional materials have pushed many people to turn their heads in the direction of general steel construction system. With the irregular supply of timber and brick being felt as forest reserves are depleted, prefabricated materials are slowly dominating the scene.

There is a huge market for pre-engineered metal buildings that is literally waiting to be filled out there. One of these is the housing industry. The strength of steel has made everyone realize just how valuable it is to see structures standing when a catastrophic event hits. In this connection, people are taking to pre-engineered metal buildings to their homes.

The absence of substantive information is the reason why many customers still opt for conventional homes. Some people think that the standard approach offers more style and creativity. But then, not everyone knows that general steel construction system use highly-advanced methods to design pre-engineered metal buildings that oftentimes exceed consumer expectations.

While it is hard to please everyone, it is but only appropriate to acknowledge the flexibility and sustainability of homes made of pre-engineered metal buildings. These structures use steel that are proven to last for well over 20 years without having to spend a lot for refurbishing them. They are rust-proof because the materials are coated with a special mix of chemicals to prevent them from corrosion. Moreover, the pre-cut components utilized are brought to recycling plants to be readied for other intents and purposes.

The advances of general steel construction system would never be possible without the introduction of the internet and its applications. The use of pre-engineered metal buildings is well-received by various sectors in society that are in full support of the green program.

With the spread of activities and information in many communities to counter the effects of greenhouse gas emissions, many people are opting to have roof gardens installed in their homes. The advantages brought in by this modern roofing system for pre engineered metal buildings are numerous. Roof gardens help cool down these structures during hot weather. They also cushion the excessive flow of water when heavy rainfall occurs.

Residential homes made of pre-engineered metal buildings are provided with a way to enhance air quality in their surroundings with the installation of roof gardens. A variety of plants can be grown in these modern enhancements that can include vegetables and spices needed for daily consumption. With the tremendous benefits that people could gain from pre-engineered metal buildings, there is absolutely no reason not to choose them.

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Concrete Floor Finishes for Prefabricated Metal Buildings 2

Friday, September 9th, 2011

Decorative finishes for concrete floors of prefabricated metal buildings provide durable, economical and stylish flooring options. Any one of techniques involved including chemical staining, scoring, coloring, stamping, etc. can be applied to new or existing concrete floors of prefabricated metal buildings, allowing for limitless designs and colors.

The last post talked about chemical staining. This post dwells on the other different methods of achieving color, scoring and stamping concrete.

Scoring concrete floors of prefabricated metal buildings involves making shallow cuts, which is no more than 1/8” deep, to convey tile gout lines or to create geometric designs and patterns. This can be done in conjunction with the other coloring methods.

Stamping concrete floors of prefabricated metal buildings is the option of those who want their floors to look like materials other than concrete. The technique involves imprinting the outline and textures of stone, brick, tile, wood planks, leather, slate, etc. into the freshly cast concrete surface to achieve the look of these natural paving materials.

Concrete floors of prefabricated metal buildings can be colored in different ways. Integral colorants can be added during the mixing process to produce uniform tinting throughout the whole slab. In addition, the method ensures that consistent color is produced for every batch. When coloring is done prior to stamping, a more variegated natural look is achieved by using integral colorants as a base tone then modified by color hardeners and release agents.

Sprinkling color hardeners for freshly placed concrete floors of prefabricated metal buildings achieves more intense hues than those produced by integrally colored concrete. Using color hardeners prior to stamping improves surface durability. On the other hand, when combined with chemical staining, brighter or deeper finished colors for concrete floors of prefabricated metal buildings, is achieved.

Another coloring method is through the use of pigmented powder or liquid agents, which is usually combined with pattern stamps. This way the friction is reduced and allows for easier removal from fresh concrete surfaces. Owners of prefabricated metal buildings opt for this technique, together with color hardeners to produce a more “antique” look for their concrete floors.

To color existing concrete floors of prefabricated metal buildings, applying surface overlay materials is one option. Thin layers of cementitious material is applied to the concrete surface to flatten it or to prepare it for stamping.

Of course, concrete floors of prefabricated metal buildings must be sealed and waterproofed and colored materials for such processes are available. Choices range from buffing waxes to clear coatings to industrial sealers, depending on the use of the metal structure.

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Concrete Floor Finishes for Prefabricated Metal Buildings

Wednesday, September 7th, 2011

Prefabricated metal buildings are so far the construction system of choice for consumers across all sectors of new construction. More and more people are discovering the flexibility of these structures and how they can be the best solution for almost any construction need.

One reason why prefabricated metal buildings are attractive options is their compatibility to most popular construction materials today. For example, one common material for floors of metal buildings is concrete, an equally strong, durable and cost-effective product, just like steel.

Concrete floors are found in prefabricated metal buildings used as homes and commercial establishments. Usually, interior concrete floors are covered with carpet, vinyl, tiles and other flooring materials. These materials often need to be replaced every few years because of tears, cracks, stains and general wear.

However, there are other alternatives to making existing or new concrete floors of prefabricated metal buildings both decorative and functional and at the same time, economical. Concrete can be stained or stamped and subjected to other treatments that would become permanent elements of the concrete slab.

These finishes are durable, sanitary, easy to maintain and most of al, can last the lifetime of the concrete. The styles and designs achieved are limited only by the metal building owner’s imagination.

One such method of decorating concrete floors of prefabricated metal buildings is chemical staining. So far, this is one of the most popular methods of transforming concrete. A wide range of designs, patterns and effects can be achieved with the use of brushes, mops, sprayers, etc.

The method involves applying special stains to the concrete, which chemically reacts to the lime content of the material, etching and bonding color into the concrete surface. The process creates rich tones and textures that can mimic granite, marble, stone, wood or to highlight natural variegations in the concrete.

(to be continued)

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Undeniable Savings with Prefabricated Metal Buildings Kits

Tuesday, September 6th, 2011

For people with tight budgets for new construction, prefabricated metal buildings kits are welcome options. Prefabricated metal buildings offer savings in time and money that are seems impossible with traditional construction.

Prefabricated construction has invaded the residential market, allowing metal buildings to be built as small to medium-sized homes, garages, garden sheds, etc. Residential prefabricated metal buildings kits are easy to assemble because no special or complicated framing is used so even inexperienced homeowners can do the assembly himself.

Straightforward construction done by amateurs does not mean that prefabricated metal buildings are unstable and unreliable, Usually, only light gauge steel is used in the manufacture of these structures, with panelized walls and trusses and structural studs that can resist axial loads and lateral forces.

Prefabricated metal buildings are engineered to be durable and sturdy, even during extreme weather conditions. Why? – Because only high-grade steel is used in their manufacture, with all the elements precision cut to their specific measurements, making them align and fit perfectly with each other, As a result, prefabricated metal buildings are weather tight and extremely stable.

For starters, prefabricated metal buildings for residential purposes offer savings with their fast and easy construction. Since the whole building arrives at the job site ready for assembly, construction timetables are exact and labor costs are kept to a minimum. There’s no waiting time for any other building component. And since the building elements are lightweight, construction is fast and efficient, most often not requiring the use of cranes.

Besides, with steel panelized walls, joists and trusses for the prefabricated metal buildings, skilled labor is not required. What’s more, since the whole building is prefabricated, costly human errors are eliminated and material waste on the job site is kept to a minimum.

The costs of prefabricated metal buildings are matched with structures made of traditional materials. Steel is an abundant and recyclable material, the price of which has become competitive with lumber over the years.

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A Steel Home: What a Steal!

Wednesday, August 17th, 2011

So you’ve been living in your house since you got married. One look around inside and each nook and cranny of the house brings back a lot of memories from the first days as a newlywed couple and your children’s growing-up years. However, the family is getting bigger and nowadays, space seems to be the perennial problem of your family. Obviously, you need a bigger house.

A lot of people draw inspiration from magazines and trade fairs when envisioning their dream homes. Today, there is another medium to do this – by visiting websites. However, you should consider your financial capacity as well as your priorities when embarking in any construction project.

But why rent or buy a finished one or a house previously used by another family when you can build your dream home at a reasonable price? This is where prefabricated steel buildings come into the picture. Among many other benefits, steel buildings offer durability, flexibility, long lifecycle, and affordability.

Prefabricated steel buildings are structures, which are built “on-site” – meaning, the components are manufactured at the factories and pieced together at the construction site. They can be designed as per your exact specifications and all other factors considered including conditions of the site, existing structures, purpose and most important of all, loadings.

And since steel buildings are prefabricated, construction is much quicker, easier and almost 50% less expensive than traditional buildings. Shorter construction time means less labor costs and early occupancy. In the first place, you save a lot in material costs, because you only pay for what you really need, nothing more nothing less.

Other savings come in the form of reduced insurance premiums because prefabricated steel buildings are more enduring and fire-resistant than their counterparts. Besides, other forms of savings realized in the course of your steel home’s lifespan include minimal upkeep and reduced energy consumption. Steel is easy to clean, does not warp, break or crack. It is resistant to pests and contrary to popular belief, today’s steel is rust-proof. Insulation keeps interior temperatures of steel buildings comfortable in any kind of weather, reducing the need for heating and cooling equipments.

There are still a number of people who have a wrong impression about prefabricated steel buildings. They still have this notion of steel buildings as unsightly and gray square boxes that stick out like a sore thumb. Thanks to numerous advancements and improvements in engineering and design technology, modern prefabricated steel buildings have become a viable option in most building applications.

Besides, your steel home can have whatever look you want it to. Modern prefabricated steel buildings are compatible with popular architectural finishes such as bricks, masonry, stone, stucco and a lot more.

So why settle for traditional construction when you can reap the benefits and savings that prefabricated steel buildings offer.

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Are You Still Building The Traditional Way?

Monday, July 25th, 2011

Prefabricated construction has been gaining a lot of following ever since consumers are made aware of the capabilities of metal buildings to stand up to unfavorable weather conditions and the introduction of newer designs that were thought to be impossible to achieve with steel.

Never the less, there are still skeptics who insist that metal buildings cannot be built up to code especially for those regions, which have special code restrictions that are very much different from the national standards.

If you are planning to invest in a metal building, then your first concern is to look for a prefabricated/pre-engineered manufacturer or supplier, who has a good reputation of producing quality structures that are designed to meet local and national building codes.

Actually, only a small number of fly-by-night suppliers of metal buildings exist. These business enterprises use low-quality materials as well as unproven manufacturing methods, both of which negatively affect their products. Don’t worry, these unscrupulous or fly-by-night suppliers will not be in the business for very long because their tainted reputation will surely spread around.

There are a lot of reputable manufacturers and suppliers of metal buildings who have been in the business for a very long time now. What keeps them going is their continued commitment to provide metal buildings with modern designs without sacrificing their structural strength and unmatched durability. Besides,

These suppliers keep themselves abreast with modern and now mostly computerized design and engineering techniques to ensure that every metal building is built up to code for the area in which it will be erected.

Some regions have distinct local climactic conditions that are very much different from anywhere else in the country and these manufacturers continuously compute these loadings and incorporate them in the designs.

Bear in mind that it is your responsibility, as the building owner, that the purchase order you are signing is for a metal building that can withstand high winds, heavy snow, hurricanes, earthquakes or a combination of these natural forces.

Another thing, you have to look beyond the near future and anticipate possible additions or refinements to your metal building. The failure of existing metal buildings to adapt to new building code stipulation stem from the fact that their owners did not incorporate possible modifications to the structures, resulting in substantial new investments.

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Why There Should be More American Steel Buildings (Part 2)

Thursday, June 23rd, 2011

In choosing American steel buildings, investors are actually buying twice the strength and durability for half the price. What’s more, since you get the materials from only one supplier, you won’t have to worry about who you should come after in case there are problems during and after the construction. Investors no longer have to make a dozen phone calls to get a problem fixed – it just takes one and you are sure to get an answer.

But even with that said, suppliers often offer a 20-year, some even 30-year, warranties for American steel buildings. Most people would think that this is a ridiculously long time to offer a guarantee. However, suppliers and manufacturers can freely offer as much because of steel’s tested durability. American steel buildings virtually require no maintenance for decades on end and they are guaranteed to have no fluctuations in structural integrity.

Now, if you’re one to think ahead, American steel buildings are actually ideal for owners who plan to expand their businesses in the future. American steel buildings are easily expandable because of the innate strength of the steel building frame. Expanding a steel building does not involve a demolition, as it would if your building was concrete or made of other materials. A steel building expansion project would only involve removing the end walls of the concerned area and adding the desired panels. It actually just involves disassembling some parts and assembling new ones. And again, this only costs a minimal amount of time, money and disruption to your business operations.

Speaking of money, again, this is a fact that you must be aware of. The President of the United States, Barrack Obama, actually signed a stimulus bill on February 17, 2009, that changed the energy efficiency tax credits. This means that choosing a steel building will earn you tax breaks of up to 30%, now, and that maximum credit has been raised up to $1 500, as well.

And while a tax break can really get investors going, some people have other concerns like the effects of American steel buildings on the environment. The good news is, American steel buildings are actually considered as green buildings; primarily because steel buildings are thermally and, therefore, energy efficient. Moreover, steel buildings are 100% recyclable – the basic material can be reprocessed after disassembling the steel frame to fabricate fresh members for new structures. This contribution to the growing movement to save the planet is probably the biggest reason why more American steel buildings should be constructed.

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Why There Should be More American Steel Buildings (Part 1)

Wednesday, June 22nd, 2011

American steel buildings started to become the structure of choice in the construction industry over the past century. Many have recognized the edge of American steel buildings over alternative construction materials since these structures were first popularized during World War II.

Nowadays, since American steel buildings are no longer a rare sight, people have only become more and more amazed with the features of these formerly unknown structures. However, most of the people who are “in the know” belong to the construction or the engineering industry. The investors, who actually have the power to make or break American steel buildings, hardly ever really know what they are going to get. Most of the time, owners or investors only know a few advantages and rely mostly on the suggestions of experts in the field. But this should no longer be the case because it’s fairly easy to understand what American steel buildings are all about.

This post enumerates some interesting facts about American steel buildings that you might want to know about whether you’re currently venturing into the construction industry or you’re planning to take on the business in the future, or maybe even if you’re just plain curious.

As stated earlier, American steel buildings have actually been around as early as the 1700s but started to really pick up popularity during the World War II when the Quonset hut design was introduced. This style was widely used during the war. At that time, American steel buildings typically served as aircraft hangars, barracks, infirmaries and storage sheds.

As the years passed, improved manufacturing and construction technology ushered in new and improved designs, as well. Over the recent decades, a wider range of applications have sprouted since technology has allowed for more diverse designs and building types. In fact, safe to say, gone are the days when American steel buildings all looked the same. Today, there are steel barns, steel garages, steel offices, even steel houses – just to name a few innovations.

American steel buildings are popular for being speedy space solutions for whatever need, be it commercial, industrial, or nowadays, even residential. The pre-fabrication of the building’s members allows for fast construction, taking up almost 50% less than the traditional building time. This leads to cost savings, not only with respect to the initial purchase but also on financing the construction and managing the overhead. Suppliers of American steel buildings have actually maintained their prices on a lower margin relative to other construction materials, especially timber.

(to be continued)

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Which Is Better? Steel or Aluminum Sidings

Friday, May 27th, 2011

Many people have grown accustomed to the conventional types of residential homes— usually made of wood, concrete, brick, and stone. In recent years, though, the increasing popularity of metal buildings has spread over to residential sector, too. For houses, apartments, and condominiums alike, metal buildings have demonstrated to have greater advantages over the traditional kind.

In planning and designing residential metal buildings, it is important to take a deeper look at the different components of such structures. Making a metal building comparison is helpful to ensure that you get your money’s worth. It is not merely enough to know that metal buildings in general cost lower and are more durable and long-lasting.

In doing a metal building comparison, you not only examine different types and different framing systems. You should also decide on the type of exterior façade that you would prefer and would be most suitable for metal buildings, the kind of roofing that would provide the best protection, the sort of insulation that would match the environment in your location, and many more.

One important consideration that many deem essential is deciding on whether to use steel or aluminum sidings for residential metal buildings. This is one of the things you might want to study when it comes to comparing metal buildings.

Given that both kinds of metal are quite prevalent in residential construction, you should then weigh the advantages and disadvantages of each. Both come in a wide assortment of topcoat colors and textures with varying degrees of durability. However, steel is regarded a little bit pricier than aluminum. Moreover, aluminum sidings are easier to install because they are lighter and can be cut easier. Because of this, builders will charge less for installing such as compared to steel. The downside, though, is that they are also more prone to damage when transported and used for construction.

What’s more, both steel and aluminum are actually highly rust-resistant. Steel, however, is believed to be physically stronger and more resilient. It does not dent easily as compared to aluminum. Its appearance also is more preferred by architects, designers, and engineers.

Upon doing such a metal building comparison, you will find out that there are no clear-cut differences between the two as to which is really much better. Basically, steel and aluminum sidings offer a lot of similar advantages. It then boils down to your choice based on aesthetics and costs.

Now that you have learned some about these two different types of sidings for your residential building, you can move on to other components. Just keep in mind to always do a metal building comparison when planning to have a building erected. Good luck!

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Silencing the Critics of Prefabricated Steel Buildings

Wednesday, May 25th, 2011

With the enormous popularity and pervasiveness of prefab steel buildings in the construction arena today, it cannot be avoided that plenty of critics are trying their best to find fault in these structures and start discouraging people to put their trust into these modernized buildings.

Prefabricated steel buildings are not perfect. It is but natural that some may not have lived up to people’s expectations. It is but likely that there have been manufacturers and suppliers who have not provided the best of materials and therefore caused problems in the long run. However, many would still agree that these steel buildings are wonderful inventions that we should continue to utilize for our different building needs.

There are critics all over the place, but the supporters of prefabricated steel buildings have come up with answers to these faultfinders.

Critique 1: Structures that are pre-fabricated cannot cope well with additional building requirements once the building is already up.

Answer to Critique 1: The matter of increasing the loading of prefabricated steel buildings should pose no problem for these pre-engineered structures because these are actually without doubt expandable. It is, however, advisable for building owners to anticipate beforehand if they are planning to have extensions in the future. They must assess not only their present usage necessities, but should also try to inform their suppliers and builders of possible future expansion projects. Such advanced visions can save them a lot of money.

Critique 2: There are substantial inconsistencies among companies of prefabricated steel buildings when it comes to the quality of the materials.

Answer to Critique 2: In any industry, it cannot be eluded that there are existing manufacturers, suppliers, and brokers that would give clients substandard grade materials and trick them into believing that they are getting their money’s worth. Naturally, the responsibility of a potential customer is to research about the companies that he is considering. Well-respected and esteemed ones are certain to provide high grade steel and other materials, and can also be trusted to continue keeping up-to-date with the latest technology.

These two negative appraisals are just examples of what critics are saying about prefabricated steel buildings. Before you become too affected or discouraged, find out the facts first. Consult specialists and voice out your concerns. If ever there are actually problems that may arise with the construction of prefabricated steel buildings, there are also several solutions for them. You will not run out of options. The best gauge is to simply weigh the pros and cons, then decide from there.

Just remember the fact that critics of prefabricated steel buildings exist because they feel threatened by the unmatched benefits provided by such structures.

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