Steel Buildings

Steel Buildings

Steel buildings are virtually maintenance free and are durable, reliable and strong. It is the least expensive construction material option compared to traditional building materials such as brick or lumber. Steel is a corrosion resistant material and is able to survive many types of weather and environmental factors without, or with minimal, structural damage.  The low initial building costs combined with the lower costs of steel ensure that the owner saves money during the construction process. The other advantages of prefabricated structures and portable buildings also apply to steel buildings. There is a lot of time saved throughout the construction process from planning, constructing and assembling. Further savings include labor costs, engineering costs and assembly costs. In some cases, smaller buildings are able to be assembled by the owner provided the right equipment is available. In the case of larger projects however, a crane and assembly crew may need to be hired to ensure the construction and joining of the building goes smoothly.

Pre engineered buildings are fully customizable, although standard prefab building options will typically be cheaper. The custom requirements of some buildings will add to the cost by causing the steel manufacture to fabricate unique parts. However, even custom design of prefabricated buildings will still save money in the long run if a building is pre-designed to the needs of its intended application. Steel can be constructed according to almost any specifications needed, and can be compared with conventional buildings with options for windows, doors, noise-reducing and energy conserving insulation, ceiling lights and sprinkler systems and adapted flooring. Furthermore, steel can also be coated in numerous custom colors; most prefabrication companies offer a range of colors or finishes. If a prefabricated building is used as an extension, the exterior can be matched to the exterior of the existing building, even including brick finishes. One potential drawback of using steel as a construction material is its heat conductivity. The impact of this characteristic will be determined by the application and use of the building. For operations where the interior temperature of the building is needed to be controlled, extra insulation or HVAC systems may need to be installed.

Photo Courtesy of Par-Kut International Inc.	Photo Courtesy of NRB, Inc.