• cost effective- lower cost to produce as well as purchase
• ease and speed of construction
• lower insurance costs than traditional buildings
• efficiency in heating and cooling
• extremely low maintenance requirements
• high durability and reliability in any weather condition
• environmentally friendly, “green” buildings
• flexible designs for any style or function
• compatible with other types of building materials
• open clear span frames for large unobstructed space
• easily expanded to grow with your needs
• non-combustible
• quick design, quick delivery

The term, “pre-engineered or prefabricated metal buildings system” refers to the current design, engineering and manufacturing process of today’s metal buildings. The process of designing and engineering a metal building has been greatly improved over the years, due to the implementation of sophisticated computer aided design and drafting (CADD) of the building. A pre-engineered building purchased today is highly technologically advanced.

The use of the word “system” refers to the fact that all the differing components of the building are engineered to the required specifications and load codes, and shipped together to the job site. Nothing needs to be out sourced from other vendors. Windows, doors, roofing, trim- all are custom fit to each building. This pre-designed system is therefore extremely efficient, and easy to assemble, as each part is a perfect fit to each other part.

For all these reasons, metal building systems have significant cost advantages over many other more traditional types of construction.

Commercial pre-engineered building systems are designed with flexibility in mind, allowing your business to easily expand. They are fully customizable to any and all of your specific building requirements. Because of the strength of steel and the high tech engineering involved, any commercial building can be designed to meet and exceed all local building code requirements for snow, wind and seismic conditions. Steel buildings have a proven track record for surviving earthquakes and hurricanes with the structure intact!

Thorough preparation is necessary when buying commercial steel buildings – there is certain key information you must know before talking to potential suppliers.

use … 
Considering how your commercial steel building will be used is an important first step in the planning process. Think through all the uses and users of your building to decide exactly what features and extras you need. For the building’s end purpose, do you need column-free interior space? If so, this is called “clear span” construction. This type of construction can be expensive if your building requires a huge interior width, such as an ice arena. If you don’t mind the inclusion of interior support columns, then you can opt for a construction called multi-span, or beam and column, which tends to be a less expensive construction style.

size …
Will it be a large automobile dealership showroom, a warehouse, or an office building? The end purpose of the building will determine both the structural requirements and many of the features it needs to have. Regardless of whether the building will contain shelving units, parking spaces, cars, or offices, you should carefully plot out a desired floor plan to determine the height and width you need. One of the advantages of commercial steel buildings is the huge open spaces they can easily contain, however, the bigger the building, the more it will cost you.

height…
The required height of the building depends on its use as well. Do you need one floor, or several?

If you are moving large equipment in and out of the building, consider that in your computations and allow ample space. The equipment must pass easily through the doorway, and the interior height of the building must be at least two feet higher than the doorway.

access…
The number and type of doors your steel commercial building needs will have a big impact on the design. Carefully consider the vehicles and people that will use the building.

Does your building require a roll-up door or a sliding door, (considered “framed openings”) to allow cars and small trucks? Do you need a walk through door for people to come and go? Decide how many doors you need and where you want them placed, on the end of the building or on the sides?

How about windows? Skylights?

Do you need a loading dock to handle tractor-trailers, or an extra-high overhead door for large equipment?

climate control…
Another thing that is dictated by end-use is whether or not to use insulation, or an HVAC system. Metal buildings tend to get very hot in the summer and cold in the winter. The correct type of insulation can correct these problems and save a lot of money on energy bills.

Click here for more info about insulating a steel building.

Will you have staff working in the building? A metal office building has to provide for employee comfort year-round. To keep employees comfortable (and therefore productive), you`ll have to install HVAC systems to maintain temperatures in a reasonable range. If you plan on storing inventory or equipment that needs protection against freezing or heat, you may need a basic HVAC system even if you have no employees on site!

extras…
The quote for a steel building usually only includes the building itself. All accessories and special finishes are an extra cost, as is laying the foundation, erection of the structure, and the cost of hiring professional contractors if you need them for the installation of the building.

building codes…
Before actually purchasing a building, find out the proper building code requirements for your area from your local building code office. The building you buy must comply with local codes for wind, snow, seismic activity, etc.

Click here for more info on building codes.

All the preceding issues and details must be considered before trying to get price quotes. Once you are clear about what you need, you will be better able to compare all bids and offers. When price shopping, make sure you’re comparing buildings with the exact same specifications. Some suppliers might give a cheaper estimate, but they might not be offering all the same features and quality materials. Take detailed notes while doing your price comparisons.

Choose a supplier with experience in successfully planning and constructing a wide variety of commercial buildings. Their design technicians and metal buildings cost estimators will listen to your requirements and custom design a prefab metal buildings system to your exact specifications.

A high quality metal building manufacturer or supplier will give high quality service- coordinating with you every step of the way, from the planning stage through the construction stage. This is referred to as “vertical integration” and is one of the most important things to look for when shopping around for a supplier. This type of full service eliminates the need for costly middlemen, assures that you are getting all the features you need, and streamlines the entire project.

Ask as many questions as you need, and don’t be pushed into putting down a deposit until you are certain of your specific requirements, and have shopped around!

A high quality steel building should include these ten features:

1. structural warranty- minimum 50 years
2. paint warranty – at least 20 years, with minimal maintenance
3. 26 gauge 80,000 psi. strength sheeting is high quality construction
4. pre-welded clips for ease of erection
5. girts and purlins should overlap, for additional structural integrity
6. C-section jambs and headers for easy installation of over-head doors
7. fully trimmed at gable, corners and eaves for a finished look and protection from dust and wind seepage
8. all necessary columns, beams, rafters, girts, purling, sheeting, nuts and bolts
9. approval drawings and building plans stamped by an engineer certified for your state, if necessary
10. solid I- beam construction for columns used in sidewalls and roof rafters, minimum 50,000 and 36,000 psi.

If the purpose of the building prohibits interior columns, (such as an ice rink) you need a type of construction called “clear span.” The only drawback to clear span construction is, if you need the building to be extremely wide, say, more than 150 feet, it can be quite expensive.

If interior support columns pose no problem to your use of the building, you can use “multi span,” which tends to be a less expensive type.

While steel buildings are of varied sizes, shapes, and types, the basic elements of the metal building system are always the same- rigid frames, wall girts and roof purlins, cladding and bracing.

Here are some of the most popular types of metal building systems currently in use today...

Beam & Column (BC)
The beam-and-Column system is ideal in situations when a vast area of floor space is necessary. The flexibility of the Beam and Column design allows it to be utilized for any industrial or warehouse purpose.
Straight Column (SC)
Straight Column systems are utilized when a clear interior space up to seventy feet wide is needed. The column-free interior allows the total amount of floor space to be put to use. This design is often in small offices or other commercial applications.
Rigid Frame (RF)
The clear, unobstructed working space that the Rigid Frame system provides makes it ideal for many commercial and recreational applications. The wide, column-free environment permits the complete utilization of the interior floor space. Recreational rooms, aircraft hangers, and warehouse are often designed as rigid frame systems due to the interference or inconvenience of interior columns.
Lean-To (LT)
Selecting a Lean-To system is a quick and economical way to expand to a building. More space can be added to the building without interrupting the internal operations. This easy method of expansion makes the Lean-To system ideal for additional storage and office buildings.

Whether you’re a commercial developer just getting started, or a single business owner, a pre-engineered metal building can be your solution to getting the most value for your investment.

If you are ready to expand, a metal commercial building is ready to grow with you and can be easily and efficiently modified to suit your changing needs. Building expansion is simple and easy because steel buildings are designed with growth in mind.

The skyrocketing costs of real estate combined with the ever increasing costs of construction makes a steel building the optimum solution. Metal, already the preferred choice for commercial building construction, is fast becoming the only choice!

References:

Rigid Building Systems, http://www.rigidbuilding.com/commercial.htm

http://www.olympiabuildings.com/commercial-metal-buildings.htm?

Buyer Zone, http://www.buyerzone.com/industrial/steel_buildings/buyers_guide4.html

Metal Building Comparison
http://www.metalbuildingcomparison.com/commercial_steel_buildings.html?id=

http://www.mortonbuildings.com/OurBuildings/Commercial/Commercial_a.shtm