Pre-engineered Steel Buildings

Pre-engineered buildings: An overview

Pre-engineered steel buildings are factory built structures which have had all the planning and designs done before they reach the construction site. They arrive on-site having been pre-drilled, pre-cut and pre-welded ready to be bolted together. Pre-engineered steel buildings range from simple storage structures to more complex steel framed office buildings but one thing they all have in common is the fact that they are quicker, easier and up to 50 percent cheaper than conventional buildings.

Architects and designers have inspired many innovative developments both in the technology and the building systems used. Today pre-engineered metal buildings are used for offices, schools, houses, mini-malls and recreational facilities. There is an array of options available to the consumer regarding the style, layout and outside appearance of the buildings, including masonry trims.

Steel is a strong, lightweight, flexible, inexpensive and reusable material which makes it an attractive option for use in construction. Steel's strength and lightweight qualities make it possible to construct buildings with no visible support columns; maximizing the amount of floor space available for use. Sometimes known as clear-span structures, steel buildings with no support columns are most common in use with storage, airplane hangars, warehouses, workshops and wherever maximum space is required.

Strength and durability means that buildings can withstand harsh weather conditions such as strong winds and snow. To make the steel more durable metal panels are coated with an aluminum compound that ensures they will not rust. Most reputable manufacturers will offer a 25 year warranty on their buildings.

One drawback of clear-span buildings is that they are limited in how wide they can be made. If extra width is required then a multi-span (or multiple-span) structure is ideal. These do use some structural support columns but have unlimited width. Multi-span structures, commonly used in offices and residential buildings, are built with steel framing and metal sheeting. More time and labor is usually required for construction but they are still faster and less expensive than traditionally constructed buildings of the same scale.

Steel homes have become increasingly popular over the years. There are two main types on the market: modular and manufactured homes. Both are factory built and delivered to the construction site to be assembled. One thing consumers should be aware of is the fact that manufactured houses are not required to be built according the building codes of their destination area whereas modular homes are. To learn more click here.