Further Considerations on the Right Steel Building to Purchase
In a previous article we addressed some of the fundamental considerations to purchasing the correct steel building for your needs. That article addressed such fundamentals as use of the structure, dimensions, doors, insulation, and future expansion. This article continues the discussion to ensure that you purchase the right steel building for your needs.
If you are considering a second floor for your steel building there are some factors to ponder on. First, an I-Beam framed steel building will, more than likely, need a twenty-two foot eave to comfortably accommodate a second floor. The mezzanine that is required to facilitate a second floor in a steel building can be expensive due to the necessary loading characteristics that would need to be engineered into the building design. If space allows, consider more square footage in a one story steel building to curb costs.
The appearance of I-Beam framed steel buildings have greatly changed over the past few years. They do not have to be the unsightly plain metal boxes of the past. A vast array of Siliconized Polyesther paint colors are available in both sidewall and trim applications. Steeper pitched gabled roofs can also be painted to be more aesthetically pleasing. Quality steel building manufacturers and suppliers also offer premium components that include simulated rock, brick, stone, and stucco facades. In many cases, with the proper use of exterior components a steel building can not be identified as anything other than a more conventional structure.
The dimensions of steel buildings, formerly limited to square or rectangular configurations, can now be fabricated to virtually any shape or size. Everything from circular municipal administration buildings to hexagonal sanctuaries are now able to be fabricated out of steel. Mansards and parapets are also used to fully dress out many steel buildings that require sleekness of style and uniqueness of design.
Roof pitches on steel buildings extend from 1:12 to 6:12 slopes. The higher the pitch of the building, generally, the more expense, because more steel is used in the fabrication of the roof. Higher pitched roofs are also more efficient than low profile roofs in moisture drainage and resistant to ponding complications. Standing seam metal roofs are a more recent technological advance in the steel building industry and are recommended for higher precipitation areas. This roof configuration is more expensive than the screw-down roof typically employed, however.
Most communities also require a building permit for your steel building. It will, also, need to conform to local codes. The securing of a building permit and costs are the buyer’s responsibilities.
Finally, unless you have extensive building experience and your building is a smaller garage or workshop, the hiring of a qualified erector is encouraged and important to consider in the overall cost of your project.