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Archive for the ‘Residential Steel Buildings’ Category

Go Green With Pre-engineered Metal Building Homes

Monday, January 30th, 2012

Going green through sustainable construction and carbon-reduction technologies is being pursued relentlessly with dedication across the states.  This is attributed not only to environmentalists but also to structural experts who are spending a significant amount of their time in bringing down toxic emissions.  The pre-engineered metal building system continues to move ahead as building green is being promoted all the more in the international scene.

In the real estate industry, all types of structures can be seen rising everywhere utilizing steel as the primary material.  Even projects focused on erecting pre-engineered metal building homes are getting the nod of approval by environmentally-conscious citizens.  Indeed, it is time to buckle up and do what has to be done to brace against catastrophic events brought about by global warming.

Compared to the standard approach using brick and timber, steel can combine modern technology with the touch of the traditional through the utilization of stucco, glass and even wood for accessories in the interior layout.  When glass doors and windows are installed in pre-engineered metal building homes, there is the advantage of getting enough natural lighting to flood the entire structure.

Steel builders put emphasis on lessening carbon emissions by helping reduce power usage in these state-of-the-art platforms.  With the installation of a superior insulation system, pre-engineered metal building homes save much on energy consumption as the need for heating and cooling equipment is greatly reduced.  And when the seasons change, occupants will enjoy true comfort associated with an excellent heating and cooling setup.

To better address deteriorating air quality, owners of pre-engineered metal building homes may opt for flat roofs so that they can develop natural gardens on top.  This will greatly help interior insulation which could result to a more efficient use of energy.  Roof gardens provide the opportunity to grow one’s vegetables, herbs and spices.

Pre-engineered metal building homes with roof gardens will cushion heavy rain load that can further increase their lifespan.  Water consumption is also reduced because whatever is planted gets the needed moisture from a regular downpour and not from installed pipes.  Not only this, the surrounding air becomes healthier to breathe.

Structural professionals can offer their services to interested customers by giving their free consultation with price quotes.  This will help facilitate the construction of pre-engineered metal building homes without spending much and with less time wasted.  Designs are endless and provide options for residents from simple layouts to more sophisticated configurations.

Pre-engineered Metal Homes Fare Better Than Their Counterparts

Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012

There used to be a time when most homes were made of brick and wood.  People can choose the designs they prefer from what builders present to them.  But, oftentimes, because of financial outlay, they select very simple layouts that don’t cause huge cuts in their budgets.

When pre-engineered metal buildings started to slowly make their way into the construction market, the opportunity to spend less came about.  Steel components are more affordable than traditional materials.  There is the assurance of their continuous supply given the fact that factories produce them all year round.

Customers initially thought that pre-engineered metal buildings are box-type structures that are only applicable as warehouses, factories and barns.  But, because of virtual technology, information on their advantages became widespread.  This has allowed general steel construction systems to penetrate extensive markets, a fete that competitors thought would not be possible.

Homes made of pre-engineered metal buildings have changed the way people see domestic abodes.  The approach in erecting diverse types of structures using pre-cut materials is highly flexible because they are useful for many platforms. In addition, these pre-engineered metal buildings can be custom-made based on customer requirements.

Pre engineered metal buildings cost less than conventional ones.  They are also quick to assemble because they come out of factories already prefinished.  When wood and brick are used, they aren’t just pricey but it takes time to put them together when they are delivered to the construction site.

Erecting homes using pre-engineered metal buildings don’t create excessive noise associated with traditional structures.  This is so because once the components are taken to the location, they are ready and fit for bolting together.  But with wood and brick, they still have to be cut and measured based on specifications at the site of construction.

The general steel construction approach is very dependable most especially when weather changes occur.  Prefabricated components are durable and can withstand destructive forces of nature like earthquakes and storms.  They are so engineered to prevent the possibility of warping, shrinking and leaking.

Because of modern technology, pre-engineered metal buildings utilized as homes can be erected to achieve a very creative appeal to the owners.  The addition of other materials like glass and stucco is possible.  The structures can even be made to look natural like conventional materials are being used.

When high quality insulation is installed, homes made of pre-engineered metal buildings become energy-efficient.  They save a lot on power usage especially when machines are used daily for domestic operations.  In other words, reduction of expenditures from the start of construction is expected till the time the structures are occupied, all to the advantage of the owners.

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.

Stained Concrete Flooring for Your New Metal Garage

Saturday, September 3rd, 2011

If you are contemplating on building a new garage, you probably are wondering why more and more of your neighbors are opting for metal buildings. The popularity of metal buildings is undeniable and this is because they offer advantages and benefits that are unmatched by traditional construction. Metal buildings are now being used not just for large structures like factories, warehouses and aircraft hangars, they are now going strong in the residential market.

Metal buildings are extremely flexible. In fact, they are the new favorites of designers and homeowners alike. Metal buildings can be designed to be either minimalist or grandiose, depending on the preferences of the owners and the purpose of the structures. What’s more, metal buildings can either be built with one or two stories, adding to their unlimited applications.

One of your best options for the flooring of your metal garage is concrete. Since your metal garage is so easy to maintain, choosing a floor type that requires minimal care and is compatible with metal buildings, is an added bonus.

The good news is that concrete flooring for metal buildings need not be gray and boring. Nowadays, staining concrete has become the most popular application for transforming concrete slabs into things of beauty.

Stained concrete is sometimes referred to as colored concrete and can be an option for flooring of metal buildings. The technology has been gaining a lot of following because of the unique results that can be achieved through the combination of colors and application techniques. In fact, the outcome is limited only by your creativity and imagination.

Because concrete is porous and has a neutral tone, it is a perfect medium for topically applying colors. Contractors use acid-based chemical stains to achieve rich, earth-toned color schemes. Your garage floor can resemble natural stone, marble, wood or even leather, depending on your style and preference.

A Steel Greenhouse – Every Gardener’s Dream!

Tuesday, August 16th, 2011

Steel buildings are very flexible and can be incorporated with any imaginable architectural finish such as stucco, brick, stone, and glass. For serious gardeners who live in places where either there is too much heat or cold, a greenhouse is the perfect solution. Your greenhouse doe not have to be big and grandiose – but just a small shed to house your plants and your dream of caring for them all year round will be fulfilled.

Prefabricated and pre engineered steel buildings have demonstrated their capability to endure extreme weather conditions. Their durability remains unmatched by their counterparts.

Components of steel buildings are pre-cut using laser-precision tools and pre-welded at the factories ensuring that everything is aligned. Parts are pre-assembled using the latest computerized software, ensuring all building components fit exactly and perfectly. The pre-numbered parts arrive at the site on flatbed trucks for accurate fit. With the help of instruction manuals, assembly is fast and efficient.

Steel and glass have been extensively used during the latter half of the Nineteenth century. Advances in technology led to the development of modern manufacturing techniques of producing large sheets of glass that could be used as material for building facades. Greenhouses made of steel and glass can be very enchanting structures that would surely add beauty to any garden.

Ideal greenhouses are made of structural steel frames, with roofs, windows, doors all made of glass. You can grow your vegetables and flowers in late winter and early spring, and then transplant them in your garden as the weather warms.

Ventilation equipment should be built into your structure to control temperatures in all seasons. Accessories for steel buildings such as roof vents and exhaust fans to keep plants from getting too cold or too hot. It is better to opt for automatic ventilation rather than manually opening sashes as temperature changes.

For example, attaching a special motor and thermostat to your roof vents automatically opens and closes the vents as needed. The vents allow fresh outside air to come in while warm air flows out. This improves indoor temperatures and growing conditions for your plants.

A steel greenhouse not only protects your plants from extreme heat and cold but also from pests. Indeed, a steel greenhouse is every serious gardener’s dream!

Cleaning Up Your Metal Home

Wednesday, May 4th, 2011

With the fast-modernizing pace of lifestyle happening today, along with it comes accompanying changes of structures all around us. In many forward countries nowadays, you will not anymore find a lot of houses made of stone, wood, and concrete. Instead, metal buildings have entered the picture too when it comes to residential constructions.

Do you also live in a house made of metal or steel? Or are you planning to have one made? Then you will also have to keep yourself updated on cleaning strategies when it comes to metal buildings.

You may think you can use the same cleaning materials for taking care of your metal home, but you better think twice. You cannot also just use a chunk of steel wool and scrub the metal panels of your house. Nope! That can ruin the walls, leaving hideous scratches and blemishes!

What are the steps to follow when cleaning up metal buildings such as your very own home?

1. It is advisable for you to use safety goggles and rubber gloves, since you will be exposed to potentially harmful chemical substances that may put your eyes and hands at risk.

2. When cleaning a metal area, envelop it first with a foaming cleanser. Leave this on for around twenty minutes so that dirt and other unwelcome rubbish can be lifted first to make your work easier.

3. Use a non-metal brusque cleaning sponge for scrubbing the surface. This will help eliminate persistent debris that may not have been removed with the foaming cleanser.

4. Finally, rinse the area with water, beginning from the top and working your way downward. In this way, you can make sure to wash off all the soap and not leave any residue behind. Such leftovers may cause unwanted smudges on metal surfaces.

5. Repeat the steps as necessary for the various metal surfaces of your house.

Now you know that it is not really difficult to clean up metal buildings. You just need to do it the right way so as to maintain the beauty and good condition of the floors, walls, etc. Also, you would have to be certain to acquire and use the proper materials.

Metal buildings may be very durable and can last very long, but their beauty and luster may not be preserved, if you do not know how to take care of them well.

No Space? No Prob!

Wednesday, April 20th, 2011

Space is a valuable commodity nowadays. For homeowners, the need for space is a common problem. There seems to be not enough room to store the garden tools, lawn mowers, camping equipment, common tools, sports and recreational equipment, large children’s toys, etc.

Steel storage buildings are viable solutions for most storage needs. Steel storage buildings are prefabricated steel systems that can be assembled by an average homeowner with no experience in construction.

Why steel? There are numerous advantages when you choose to build with steel. First and foremost, the reason for the unmatched durability of steel storage structures is steel, the strongest construction material, today. Although steel is lightweight, it is easier to maintain and most of all, it is fire resistant. Once built, steel storage buildings are virtually maintenance-free because they are resistant to termites, creeping, cracks, splitting, and rotting.

Besides, unlike its alloy iron, steel does not corrode easily even when exposed to moisture and water. To further enhance this feature, the steel in modern steel storage buildings is coated with anti-rust substance to prevent corrosion.

You won’t have to spend any sleepless night again worrying about the safety of your tools and equipment because you can rely on your steel storage structure to perform even during weather disturbances. Steel storage structures are weather tight and structurally sound that they will not be affected even by extreme weather conditions.

And if you think that your  steel storage building will stick out like a sore thumb, you are definitely wrong. Modern technology has allowed steel storage buildings to be compatible with an unlimited number of architectural finishes and paint options that will make them indistinguishable from traditional structures. Your steel storage building can have lots of curb appeal and will blend well with its surroundings.

So, de-clutter your home and your backyard, now. Choose to build your storage building with steel. You will surely get your money’s worth.

Steel, A Sustainable Material for Prefabricated Metal Buildings

Wednesday, March 9th, 2011

The start of the twentieth century saw the emergence of steel as a structural building material of choice. Combined with new technologies in engineering and manufacturing, steel has been introduced to the prefabricated building industry to create metal buildings with astonishing architectural designs that were deemed only possible using traditional construction materials.

The steel industry has invested a lot of money to make it a more sustainable industry and that is one of the reasons why prefabricated steel buildings have become attractive to the American consumers, who have become more vigilant in protecting and preserving the earth’s natural resources.

In the first place, since the metal is highly recyclable, the steel used in prefabricated metal buildings has about 90% recycled content. Steel can be recycled over and over again without losing its properties, and has been attested by AISC to have a reclaimed rate of 98%. Besides, most of the world’s steel is produced in mills that do not generate CO2 emissions. How’s that for sustainability?

The beauty of prefabricated metal buildings is that it harnesses the benefits of designing with steel and prefabricated construction, eliminating the hassles associated with traditional construction methods. What does this mean?

Construction of prefabricated metal buildings is cost-effective. They can be erected in almost half the time it takes to build structures of the same size, but using conventional methods of construction. In fact, savings in construction cost of up to 15% can be realized because prefabricated metal buildings are built in factories and assembled on site. With easy construction comes short and fixed schedules and therefore, reduced labor costs. This is good news for developers of residential buildings because it means more profits for them.

Prefabricated Steel Buildings, Best for Homes

Friday, March 4th, 2011

Prefabricated steel buildings have become popular in recent years due to their affordability and flexibility, among numerous other benefits. If you are planning to build your dream home, set your sights on prefabricated steel buildings because they offer more benefits than traditional methods of construction.

Prefabricated steel buildings are traditionally used in agricultural and industrial applications. However, their modern counterparts are now widely accepted in business and commercial sectors, as well. And thanks to numerous technical innovations and advancements, almost any conceivable configuration, such as a residential building, can now be achieved with prefabricated steel buildings.

Prefabricated or pre-engineered steel buildings refer to structures that are completed “on-site”, meaning they are manufactured and constructed in factories and assembled on the construction sites. These metal structures are manufactured using a combination of built-up sections, hot-rolled sections, and cold-formed elements. A standard package includes the basic frame, framework of primary and secondary members including the rigid frame, beams, purlins, girts, trusses, and columns. The skeleton frame is where the roof and wall cladding components are attached.

The high-tech engineering that goes into prefabricated steel buildings has made them superior to most other construction systems. Because they are prefabricated, they are quicker, easier, and almost 50% less expensive to construct than conventional buildings. Cutting, fitting, and welding the components are unnecessary at the site since they were configured at the factory. Besides, you save money by eliminating the need to hire some specialists used in traditional construction projects.

In addition, these metal structures can be designed to meet your exact specifications and preferences, with the applicable building codes factored in. Unlike the box shaped steel buildings of yesteryears, modern prefabricated steel buildings are stylish, attractive, and virtually indistinguishable from traditional modes of construction. They have newer design options that result in more stylish exteriors including bricks, siding, and stucco. Hardwood, glass, and masonry frontage can be easily incorporated into facades of prefabricated steel buildings.

Aside from their cost effectiveness, durability, speedy erection, and rapid occupancy, prefabricated steel buildings can stand up to extreme weather conditions. Manufacturers of prefabricated steel buildings are so confident of the structural soundness of their products that they are providing warranties of up to 50 years.

So, for your dream home, steel is the way to go and a prefabricated steel building is your intelligent choice.

Commercial and Residential Metal Buildings

Thursday, February 24th, 2011

Metal buildings are not confined to a single type of consumer in the construction industry. Applications of metal buildings in the commercial sector include corporate offices, sports complexes, strip malls, supermarkets, freight terminals, distribution facilities, car dealerships, and aircraft hangars.

The residential sector is not far behind. The demand for residential applications is steadily rising because homeowners have realized the many benefits that metal buildings provide such as fast and easy erection, reduced construction cost, and exceptional durability – characteristics that are unmatched by traditional modes of construction.

Because they are pre-engineered and pre-fabricated, metal buildings can be designed for any configuration and size. Building components are manufactured at the factories and arrive at the site pre-drilled, pre-punched, and pre-welded.

Metal building systems come with erection drawings and easy-to-read instructions so some owners do the erection by themselves. Others opt to hire professional building erectors who are mostly recommended by the building suppliers.

After choosing your preferred accessories, decide on the type of roofing, interior and exterior walls. While your metal building is being manufactured at the factory, prepare the site. Metal buildings need foundations where columns are anchored. Most of these structures have concrete foundations.

The two previous posts talked about the initial stages of a metal building project, which showed you guidelines on how to arrive at the final design and cost of the structure. Just like any venture, no matter how hard you prepare, some problems may sometimes crop up.

One of these is the issue that your metal building may not be able to withstand additional load. Any future enhancements or extensions for your metal building must be incorporated in the original design for lesser expense and hassle on your part.