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Quality and Strength of Steel Panels

July 16th, 2010

Planning to buy a steel building? The steel building industry has been enjoying wide acceptance from consumers because of the many advantages that steel buildings provide. Let us talk about the most important facts about steel and steel panels that you should understand before you proceed with the purchase.

Steel is an alloy, made by mixing iron and carbon in a specific ratio. Carbon content ranges from 0.2% up to 2.14% of the total weight. There are other alloying materials used in manufacturing steel such as chromium, manganese, tungsten, vanadium, etc. Alloying materials improve the properties of steel such as its hardness and tensile strength, among others.

The quality and strength of steel panels for your steel building is measured by their thickness, shape, and tensile yield strength.

Thickness

Steel’s thickness is typically measured in gauge units (ga). The rule is, as the gauge number increases, the thickness decreases. Thus, a 26 gauge steel is approximately 30% thicker than a 29 gauge steel.

Thickness of roofing and wall panels for steel buildings are usually 26 gauge and 29 gauge.

Shape

The performance of a steel panel depends a lot on its thickness and its shape. Steel panels with more and higher corrugated ribs and sharper bends are stronger. Some values for rib heights are ¾”, 5/8”, ½”, and 9/16”.

Tensile Yield Strength

Tensile yield strength is a measure of the largest value of longitudinal stress that steel will support without permanent deformation. It is measured in units of force per unit area, as in pounds-force per square inch or PSI.

Panels with at least 80,000 PSI yield strength are recommended for steel buildings. Steel with less than 80,000 PSI yield strength, is more prone to denting, especially as the steel building repeatedly endures wind and snow loads over time.

Solar Panels: Sources of Renewable Energy for Steel Buildings

July 15th, 2010

Yesterday’s post talked about how wind turbines can provide clean and renewable energy for steel buildings. Today, let’s talk about the use of solar panels in partially powering a home or workplace.

For steel buildings, solar panels are fitted onto the whole roof or portions of the roof, depending on the amount of generated energy needed.

Solar panels are perceived to be more effective than wind turbines because of the wind’s unreliability factor, yet both technologies offer a great way of providing renewable electricity in a wide variety of applications and locations.

Today, there are two main forms of solar panels or solar cells in existence – solar electricity panels and solar hot water or thermal panels. As their names imply, the first one provides electricity while the other one provides a hot water supply.

Solar thermal panels are used for household water heating or for heating swimming pools. A good solar hot water panel system installed in your steel building is capable of providing around a third of your annual hot water supply.

The solar cells or panels use photovoltaic power to convert solar energy into direct current electricity and are much more efficient than their solar thermal cousins. That electricity is stored in a battery bank where power needs are drawn out. The solar panels recharge the batteries the moment their charge drops below a certain level.

Photovoltaic cells are linked together to form an array, making them provide a greater output of electricity. This method makes the use of solar panels as a viable option in contributing to the power needs of small homes and businesses.

The initial investment for solar panels is high, but advances in production and technology have reduced their  costs, contributing to their widespread use.

The combination of solar panels with other renewable energy technologies such as wind turbines, can work quite well in providing a source of cheap, clean, and renewable energy for steel building applications such as homes, offices, or warehouses.

Wind Turbines: Sources of Renewable Energy for Steel Buildings

July 14th, 2010

Building with steel is one way of saving the environment because steel is the most recyclable material in the planet. The use of wind turbines can be a great way of providing clean and renewable energy for homes and businesses.

If you are a steel buildings owner, combining these two concepts is an excellent way of giving your share in the preservation of our natural environment.

For your steel building, there are a number of small wind energy devices that can be fitted along the ridge. These can be very cost effective in generating a significant level of electricity, helping you save on energy bills.

One major advantage of the use of wind turbines is that it is environmentally friendly due to the fact that no fossil fuels are burnt to generate electricity. In addition, the use of wind turbines is a great way of generating energy especially in remote areas where there are no sources of electricity.

However, the main disadvantage of wind energy is the wind’s unreliability factor that’s why wind turbines are recommended for areas where the wind strength is high. The initial investment for wind turbines can be quite high, but they pay for themselves in the long run.

Comparing the wind turbine to the operation of an electric fan is the best way of understanding the basics of wind power.

An electric fan, as we all know, uses electricity to create wind through its rotating blades. Wind turbines, on the other hand, uses wind energy to blow the blades, which are attached to a generator that generates electricity.

The preservation of our environment is a growing global concern. We need to turn our sights to natural energy sources available to us. One of these is the use of wind turbines, which harnesses the power of the wind to generate renewable energy.

Steel Buildings – Mistakes of Steel Building Buyers III

July 13th, 2010

A wise buyer of a pre engineered steel building should focus on the structure’s performance rather than its price. Remember the old saying, “You get your money’s worth”. The cheapest price may turn out to be the more expensive purchase.

A very common example of this situation happens to people who buy the Quonset hut type of steel building just because it is the cheapest kind. Quonset huts are the arched type multipurpose metal structures used during World War II.

To this day, they remain easy to construct and transport. However, a Quonset hut may not be appropriate for your intended use of the steel building because it does not allow for many customization options.

For one, doors and windows can only be placed in the end walls. Limited overhead clearance is another limitation. Most importantly, a Quonset hut is not a flexible solution. So, if you need additional space in the near future, there is a possibility that you have to buy another steel building.

If, however, all you need is a simple garage, a barn or a warehouse for your produce, a Quonset hut is the perfect choice. You don’t need a steel building that has all the works – top of the line insulation, heavy-duty doors, custom finish, etc.

Just like any consumer, steel building buyers often compare prices and that’s a wise move. But don’t just compare the price and the size. You have to look at the details. The cheaper one may not be the right steel building for you.

On the safe side, choose a manufacturer that has a proven track record of providing high quality pre-engineered steel buildings. Most of them even have online designing and pricing utilities in their websites, in order for buyers to get an idea of their building’s price.

Reputable steel building manufacturers are your partners in ensuring that the metal structure you are buying from them is, indeed, the one you really need.

Steel Buildings – Mistakes of Steel Building Buyers II

July 12th, 2010

As a buyer of a pre-engineered steel building, it is crucial that you be aware of common mistakes other people make in order to avoid making them yourself. Learn about the second blunder most buyers make and steer clear of it to ensure that your steel building project will be worthwhile.

True, buying a steel building kit and erecting it by yourself, saves you a lot of time and money. This is probably the primary reason why you decided to build with steel, in the first place. However, your budget should also include the costs of the other vital aspects of the steel building project.

Just like any construction project, building with steel entails a lot more than the cost of the metal structure itself. The expenses for the following should also be included in your budget:

· Concrete foundation – The foundation holds the pre-engineered steel building together. Be it concrete piers or concrete slabs, the foundation’s design is critical in ensuring the steel building’s integrity.

· Doors and windows – Typically, these are not part of the steel building kit because they are considered accessories.

· Building permits

· Land – Of course, you need the land on which your pre-engineered steel building will be erected.

· Delivery of the steel building

· Erection of the steel building – Pre-engineered steel buildings come with an erection manual that is easy to read and follow.
However, if you would like to hire a professional erector to do the job, include the payment for his services in your budget.

· Government taxes on the purchase

Depending on your pre-engineered steel building’s final use, you may have additional expenses for the following:

· Insulation

· Electricity

· Plumbing

· Interior and exterior finishing

· Miscellaneous expenses

In the end, you still get your money’s worth if you choose to build with steel. Savings due to shorter construction time, lower construction and material costs are immediately realized. Savings in the form of low insurance premiums, low building maintenance, and energy efficiency, among others, can be appreciated in the course of the pre-engineered steel building’s long lifespan.

Mistakes of Steel Building Buyers I

July 9th, 2010

If you are planning to buy steel buildings, you must be aware of the common mistakes that buyers make, so that you can avoid them. The most common blunder is ending up with the wrong type of steel building.

Imagine going through the process of designing and constructing your steel building, only to realize that it is not what you really want. To avoid this pitfall, you must first define your specific needs. Remember, the building is there to serve your needs.

Better yet, list down your answers to these questions:

1.      What do you really want the building to do for you? This is not the same as knowing what the building is going to be used – workshop, storage, garage, office, church, etc. How will my life improve or how can I benefit from this building?

2.      What are the dimensions of my steel building? What is the length? What is the width? How tall should it be?

3.      Do I need doors? What door size do I need? How many doors do I need? Where should the doors be placed? Do I need an overhead type door or a sliding door?

4.      Do I need windows?  How many do I need? What is the size of my windows? Where should I place my windows?

5.      Will my steel building need insulation?

6.      Do I plan to expand my steel building in the future? If so, will I expand its length, its width or both?

7.      Do I need a second floor?

8.      What shape should my steel building have? Do I want a square building or a rectangular building? Should it have straight or curved walls?

9.       Should the roof be flat or peaked?

10.     What will I place inside the building?

11.     Will I need a building permit for my building?

12.     Do I plan to erect it myself?

13.     Do I plan to build the foundation myself?

14.     How much is my budget? Will I need financing?

15.     What building codes apply to my steel building?

You will realize that after defining your needs, the rest of the questions can be answered with ease. If you cannot define your needs yet, postpone the purchase of your steel building, until the time you have done so.

Steel Buildings – Understanding U-Values of Insulation

July 8th, 2010

In order for you to determine whether you are over or under insulating your pre-engineered steel buildings, it is important that you understand the terminologies used in the word of insulation. There are three ratings used for estimating heat loss: the R-Value, the U-Value, and the k-Value.

The last post talked about the R-Value, which measures the ability of a material to resist heat flow – the higher the R-Value, the better thermal efficiency. Now, let’s talk about the U-Value.

The U-Value is the rating used to measure the heat flow through a complete building component, e.g. the roof, the walls, or a window. U-Values determine how much heat is transmitted. This means that the lower the U-Value, the higher the insulation value.

U-Values are relevant in both warm and cold climates. For those living in mostly warm weather, the U-Value measures how long the insides of a building can be kept cold. Good U-Values are important measures for determining the sufficient amount of energy needed to keep the indoor temperature comfortable.

Using steel building components that have low U-Values offer a number of advantages. First, it saves you a lot of money because of reduced energy consumption, which in turn helps preserve the environment. Second, good U-Values create comfortable indoor temperature. This is important in maintaining good health for the building occupants.

For external walls and roofs, a U-Value of less than 0.2 is already a good rating. This value can be achieved by installing a thermal insulation with a thickness of about 20 centimeters or more. For windows, a U-Value is less than 1.0 is considered good.

Manufacturers of pre-engineered steel buildings and accessories should know the R-Values and U-Values of their products. If you looking for building components that provide good insulation, just remember these:

The higher the R-Value, the better
The lower the U-Value, the better.

Understanding the R-Value of Insulation

July 7th, 2010

The last post talked about how heat flows or transfers from one object to another through the process of conduction, convection, or radiation. Insulation is installed in a pre-engineered steel building mainly for the purpose of maintaining a comfortable temperature inside the metal structure.

Whether you are buying insulation materials from a lumberyard or from a steel buildings manufacturer, you will notice that the materials are labeled with performance ratings called R-Values.

A material’s R-Value is the measure of its ability to resist heat flow. Therefore, the higher the R-Value, the higher the material’s insulating effectiveness or thermal resistance.

The mathematics of determining the R-Value of your steel building’s insulation depends on the type of insulation used – the materials, their thickness and their densities. For example, a 2-inch thick insulation board has twice the R-Value of a 1-inch thick board.

The R-Value of the insulation for a pre-engineered steel building that is installed in a multi-layered style is computed by adding the R-Values of the individual layers. Installing additional insulation in your steel building increases its resistance to heat flow or the R-Value.

The amount of insulation or the R-value that you need depends on your climate, type of heating and cooling system, and the size of the area you plan to insulate.

Insulation reduces unwanted heat loss or gain and can decrease the energy demands of heating and cooling equipments. The equation below calculates heat loss using R-Values.

(Steel Building’s Heat Loss) = [(Steel Building’s Total Surface Area) /   (Surface Area R-Value)] x (Temperature Difference)

Temperature difference means the difference in temperature expressed in degree Fahrenheit on the two sides of the steel building’s surface, typically interior and exterior.

The steel building’s total surface area is expressed in square feet. The surface area R-Value is the R-Value of the surface being evaluated such as an insulated wall. Heat loss is expressed in BTU’s (British Thermal Unit) per hour.

It is important to know the R-Value of the insulation material for your pre-engineered steel building because some states require a minimum amount of thermal resistance for roof systems of commercial, industrial, and institutional buildings.

Insulation for Pre-engineered Steel Buildings

July 6th, 2010

The rising costs of energy, has made insulation an integral part of pre engineered steel building projects. A properly installed insulation system for your steel building will return more on its investment when compared to any other building component.

Heat Transfer

Understanding the concept of heat transfer is important, for you to realize the value of insulation to your pre-engineered steel buildings.

When there is a difference in temperature in the steel building’s environment, heat will work its way from warmer areas to colder areas until the interior temperature stabilizes. Warmer air rises at the roofline while cooler air is present at lower elevations. Insulation is installed to help stabilize interior temperatures at more comfortable levels.

How does heat transfer occur? In our environment, the transfer of heat occurs from the hotter object to the colder one. Heat transfer occurs in three ways:

- Conduction is the transfer of heat between solid or liquid objects that are in direct contact with each other. The better the conductor, the more rapidly heat will transfer. A concrete example of this occurs when a pot heats up after it is placed on top of an oven’s heated electric coil.

- Convection occurs with the physical movement of gases and liquids in the air, caused by heat transfer.

There are two types of convectional heat movement, natural and artificial. Natural convection occurs when hot air rises and forces cold air to move down. An example of artificial or mechanical convection is when an object such as an electric fan, which physically moves or forces the air to move.

- Radiation occurs when there is a temperature differential between an object and its environment. A concrete example is the heat of the sun that is either absorbed by or reflected by the surface of your pre-engineered steel building.

Steel Buildings – FAQs About Prefabricated Steel Buildings III

July 5th, 2010

Q:      Approximately, how long would it take to assemble my prefabricated steel building?

A:      The answer to this question depends upon a lot of factors. For a small shed, self-storage building, or steel building garage, it will take at least a full day for   you to assemble the metal structure. This is true provided that all of the following are also true: at least one other person is helping you, you have carefully read and understood the erection manual, and the steel building’s foundation is already in place.

However, for much larger steel buildings, such as those used for offices, schools, and churches that need to be assembled by professional erectors, construction time takes approximately from 1 to 3 months.

Q:      What happens if I need to replace a part of my prefabricated steel building a couple of years after its construction, won’t that be a problem?

A:      Most reputable manufacturers of prefabricated steel buildings, maintain a complete inventory of steel building replacement parts. That’s why, it’s very important to choose your steel building supplier well, so that you won’t have to worry of this need ever arising.

Reputable suppliers provide a 50-year structural warranty, which shows you how confident they are of their experience, skill, and technology. If you buy from these suppliers, replacement of parts in the future is the least of your worries.

Q:      Do I need insulation? If so, how much do I need?

A:      If you want to make your prefabricated steel building energy efficient, you need insulation. Insulation is one of the reasons for the popularity of prefabricated steel buildings. Today’s high costs of energy have made insulation a critical part of any steel building construction.

Thickness is the key to effective insulation. Determining the “economic thickness” of the insulation is vital in avoiding over or under insulating a steel building. These can be determined by taking the following factors into consideration: energy costs, type of climate, building’s end use, costs of purchasing and maintaining heaters or air conditioners, and the total costs of the insulation and climate control equipments.

Your prefabricated steel building manufacturer or your builder can advise you on this matter.