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Is your church in need of an update? Do you want to ‘wow’ the congregation, but are afraid of upsetting your long time followers? Don’t hold back your dreams and desires of improvement and advancement because you’re afraid of losing the personality of your church. Keep your church healthy by planning ahead and building with the right materials.

Historically, churches were built with stone or timber. Many churches today still decide to build with those traditional forms of construction. There are several advantages to stone and timber churches. For example, rock is a very dense material that provides protection. Timber has the advantage of being relatively flexible and cheap. In contrast, timber is susceptible to fire damage and termites. Stone is usually awkward to build with and doesn’t keep heat in as well as other materials such as timber or steel.

In this modern age, steel church buildings are generally more reliable than timber or stone. When you build with steel, there is typically a shorter build time since the steel beams are transported to the job site and are immediately ready to assemble. With proper care procedures, a steel church building can last longer than stone or timber and can be much more cost-effective over time. Termites don’t attack steel beams and with proper insulation and sealant, steel buildings don’t have much trouble with regulating temperature.

I know what you’re thinking; you’re not looking for the hard-sell. You’re looking for a new steel church building. You’re not just interested in any old building; you want a healthy church home that will last for decades, and house the people of your worship community for many years to come.

As I stated earlier, the soul and personality of your church is what you need to maintain throughout any upgrades or improvements. How do you do that? You could design your church to look a certain way. Include any amount of amenities that your congregation could benefit. It could be as simple as just decorating properly. Looking for lots of open space? Also, the involvement of the congregation is certainly a must. They are the people that show up for services and they should have an opportunity to have a say. You also have the freedom to design your new steel church building any way you want. An attractive church design could bring in more followers. You could use an architect to design your new steel church building. Or you could use the services of a steel building supplier. With an architect, you might achieve some of the most beautiful models or drawings for your church. However, architects can be an expensive part of your budget, and you haven’t even paid for raw materials yet. With a steel building supplier, you’ll be able to acquire plans from an in-house steel building engineer, and work with a project manager to sketch out your building and make additions. It all comes included in the engineering payment when you lock in your order.

This is where those practical things I wrote about earlier come into play. If you build for the long run, you will only increase your chances of being able to give your new church the soul and feeling that your congregation felt in your old church.

Executing a successful church building program will typically offer a few luxuries. First, if you plan properly, you usually will have less of a headache in your building process. There should be less problems and a smoother building process, especially if you receive some help from a builder or steel building supplier. Second, if you plan properly, there shouldn’t be any mistakes, which could cost extra to fix. Every piece of steel is designed correctly the first time, every component is manufactured to the right specifications and the building is erected quickly.

Money is usually a type of taboo topic when it comes to churches and budgeting. It’s not usually proper to discuss with with your congregation, but unfortunately, sometimes it can’t be avoided in some circumstances. When building your church, you may be working with a limited budget, and a congregation wants to be clued in to the entire process. All the more reason to plan ahead and really research your options thoroughly before you build.

There is a lot of work that goes into building your healthy church. Don’t set yourself up for failure by planning for the structure alone. You can usually make your new steel church building feel like home when you plan ahead and involve your congregation. Keep the congregation happy and you can practically worship anywhere, especially in the new church you’re planning to build.

Photo courtesy: Zoltan Voros

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You did it. You finally built your new steel building. Now the business that you started in a small room with 10 people has finally grown and expanded. Now the workshop you’ve wanted for the last 30 years is finally standing. You’re on top of the world and ready to work even harder. Maybe you’re still deciding if a new steel building is right for you. You understand in construction, “you get what you pay for,” and often times, the cheapest building might be a trap.

If you come to notice part of your steel building’s roof bulging out, or taking on an appearance of wrinkled metal, your roof and building might be experiencing what we call “oil canning.” Oil canning is what happens when steel buckles under stress.

What actually causes the steel to buckle under stress? Oil canning can be caused by an attachment of a panel system that prevents the natural tendency to expand and contract. Oil canning is also fairly prevalent in poor quality or poorly constructed buildings.

These are also other small, individual causes of oil canning. In one case, it could be the thickness (or thinness) of beams, and the stress the beams receive in the manufacturing process. In another, it could be due to over fastening your material in the erection process, again putting more stress on it than necessary. The major category that these individual causes fall into is simple: poor craftsmanship, poor planning, and poor engineering.

I understand you want the best building for the best price. You may want to shop around for the lowest price when you’re buying a computer or designer clothes, but that isn’t always the best idea when it comes to a steel building. Quality should be your concern. A quality new steel building could cost more upfront, but save you more in the long run.

The main way to prevent oil canning is to have the proper knowledge when handling the steel system, or using the proper paneling. For example, choose a steel building provider that knows how to properly take advantage of the science of creating your steel and reducing internal stress points. It all comes back to engineering. During the erection process, you need to properly handle and work with your roofing material and paneling as well.

A project manager will guide you through the process of designing your building, but an in house engineering team will also insure the quality of your new steel building. When you keep the design of your building with a company focused on single source responsibility, the chance of miscommunication is severely reduced. That generally also means that the need to spend money to fix your building later is usually reduced, if not eliminated completely.

Sometimes in our world, appearance can be everything. If your building looks like it’s poorly built, then it most likely is, and that can be dangerous. When thinking about your building options, don’t take the cheap way out; instead learn about the hidden dangers of the cheapest price. Find a supplier that will handle your building project with the proper knowledge and care that you deserve, and do your research on specific materials.

Since so many factors are involved, its almost impossible to eliminate all the effects of oil canning on any building material. However, with proper engineering, design and handling, the appearance of oil canning is capable of being greatly reduced.

Photo courtesy: Festool Owners Group

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Steel is one of the most durable, flexible and energy efficient building materials on the planet. It might be the perfect building material for you. Think about it – steel buildings can be assembled quickly, are cost-efficient and extremely versatile.

Steel buildings are designed to withstand the elements. Fire, rain, wind, snow and more natural forces will attempt hurt your steel building, but for the most part, your steel building will survive the initial onslaught of these forces of nature with the right protective coatings. You can do your part to fight off the damages from the forces of nature by planning properly and providing easy general maintenance to your building. If you provide the proper maintenance, you can even fight off damage from the sun.

Often, one element tries to give steel a bad name. Yep, we’re referring to rust. Not only does rust look ugly on your building, but it has the potential to damage its structural integrity. If you have a rusty building, your building could fall victim to the negative side of the court of public opinion. If your steel building business looks old and run down, a customer may think your product is poor, even when it isn’t. You learn as a child to not judge a book by its cover, but many still will judge. More importantly, rust can cause structural damage to your building. Think of it this way – Your steel building is an investment. When you look for purchase options, comparing a steel building to a pole barn – you want to get the most out of your money. We all know money is hard to come by and when you invest your hard earned money into something, you want it to last. Rust is doing everything in its power to prevent that from happening.

This isn’t a doom and gloom scenario. I have good news. You have the power to combat rust, even the potential to keep rust from rearing its ugly head.

My first tip; don’t settle for a red primer on your rigid frames and steel components. A red primer is cheap and cheap may appealing to your wallet, but not your eyes and definitely not your brain. The only thing that red primer is going to do for you is hide rust. This may solve the problem of the rust showing to the public, but it doesn’t matter what your building looks like if it collapses. Red oxide primer can actually encourage corrosion. There are many ways to save money on your steel building project, but don’t cut corners by sacrificing in the engineering and design process. Plus, your project manager may have some ways to reduce your final costs.

To protect your building, you want to choose pre-galvanized secondary framing. By coating your roof purlins, wall girts, and C-sections with zinc at the mill, you can prevent rust and ugly rust streaks. Incorporating a galvanized base angle in your building will also protect from rust by completely sealing the base of the building from all leaks. If moisture finds its way into the base of your building and you used red iron steel or a red primer, you could most definitely find your is building a victim of rust. Incorporating a galvanized flange bracing is another act you can take to protect your building from rust.

Just by doing your research puts you in a good position to make an educated decision. The right building supplier should offer structural, paint, roof and wall panel warranties, and galvanize and protect certain and components on your building to help prevent rust from the very beginning of your steel building’s life. Now, “industry standard” isn’t good enough. You have a choice in the matter.

The fear of rust shouldn’t stop you from building with steel, but it should stop you from cutting corners in the design process. You have the power to eliminate rust before it even begins.

Photo courtesy: Shelley Freedman

Search Results for: project manager

In your time as a small business owner, I’m sure you’ve worn your fair share of hats. You were the first official employee and now you probably manage a whole team of employees. As your business and number of employees continue to grow, so should your building. That could come with its fair share of problems.

Wouldn’t you like to be able to sit back and relax during your proposed expansion? I mean really put the expansion on autopilot and let someone else take care of all the intimate details? You might think it’s impossible giving up control. Believe me, it’s not impossible.

Maybe you just need a small upgrade to a pre-engineered metal building that could greatly expand your business. Let’s take a look at one of my favorite success stories. We’ll travel to Texas for this particular instance, and visit the Cobra Kai flight school. The owner of the Cobra Kai Flight Academy, Martin, was looking to expand his academy with a steel airplane hangar for a fleet of planes. Martin, like most small business owners, had a set budget to work around. I know every small business owner understands the feeling of being a manager, salesperson, and janitor all rolled in one, but there is another important mantle you’ll take when you’re a small business owner – accountant. Taking the reins of your business’s books is just one of those hats that small business owners are used to wearing. In this case, Armstrong was able to take Martin’s initial designs and adjust them to fit his budget without harming the core design. Often times, many people have an idea in their head of exactly what they’d like to accomplish, and staying true to their vision is vital.

Steel companies with an in-house engineering team are able to quickly and efficiently make changes to the design of your pre-engineered metal building, should they be necessary. Don’t trust your expansion plans with overseas engineering departments. If you need to change something with them, it may be too late. In Martin’s case, he was also able to add to his savings by taking advantage of direct pricing, securing a foundation engineer and the proper permits in an efficient manner. When you place your order and complete your purchase, your file will move to the engineering department. The engineering team will draw up an approval drawing that takes into consideration the codes of your area while maintaining the specifics that you requested. This will ensure that you will receive a quality pre-engineered metal building and not a pile of wasted materials.

There’s something to be said about managing every aspect of your project. I remember, you’re a small business owner! If you want to add another hat and find an architect, an engineering team, a general contractor, a foreman, a bunch of subcontractors and a superintendent, you’re free to find them or take care of everything yourself. Of course, if those hats just don’t fit your head quite right, you could always ask your project manager (the one assigned to you at no extra cost) to give you the proper advice.

Your project manager is a great resource in the steel building process. I’ll walk you through the process and go over your approval drawings with you. If you need to change something, this is the stage to do it. Just let me know, and I’ll make all the necessary changes with your guidance. After you agree to the approval drawings, you will move to the permit phase. The permit phase requires you to send the drawings Armstrong provided to your city or municipality. These drawings will be used to acquire the correct permits. Your project manager is also your point of contact in the entire building process, and I’ll make sure to go over the final details like colors and to make sure you are happy with your design. This will continue the process of turning your expansion dreams into a full fledged reality. Then we’ll confirm your freight and shipping, and you get to wait for your building to arrive!

Once your building ships, you can put on your hard hat and erect your building yourself or hire a construction team to do it for you. A pre-engineered metal building is designed to fit together easily and this will usually allow you to expand in the most efficient way possible. After your building is delivered, you can still contact your project manager to ask questions and inquire about anything else that may arise in your erection process.

It wasn’t difficult to stay in touch throughout the erection process of the Cobra Kai steel hangar either. I do it all the time with everyone! So go ahead and put your pre-engineered metal building expansion plans on autopilot, and let me take care of everything you need!

Photo courtesy: JL Johnson

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Life is about decisions. Make the wrong or right decision and you’ll face the consequences. The same can be said of the building process. You’ll make decisions, some of which you’ll be responsible for, and others will come with the territory. The decisions you’re responsible for start with the basic ones, like, “should I build with steel or traditional timber?” and “who will help me through the building process?” Once you have these some of these questions figured out, you have more decisions to make, like, “how do I best protect my building?” and “what kind of insulation do I need?” If you proceed with the proper planning, the building process should be full of benefits and mostly free of negative consequences. You’ll be in your new dream metal building in no time at all.

Once you decide on your building material and place an order with a steel building supplier, a project manager will contact you. A project manager will be your official guide through the building process. Whether you have a deep knowledge of steel buildings, or you’re a first time builder, the project manager will help you review your drawings, help you make changes to your plans, or just answer any question you may have. Your project manager is your single point of contact at Armstrong Steel throughout the remainder of the process, including construction. If you do in fact need any assistance, your they’ll help you with your final design and building options.

With your project manager, you’ll determine the size and location of all the openings for doors and windows, as well as the insulation needed. Cost estimates for each selection will be sent to you promptly during this phase of the project and you may make adjustments based on your budget and design requirements. No openings or options are final until you approve. Once you and your project manager agree on the openings and options, you will sign to approve the building as designed. After the approval process, you’ll release your building into the fabrication schedule, and you’ll move on to the permit drawing phase of the process.

Permits are important for many reasons. The most important aspect of a permit is to make sure your new dream metal building meets all of the specifications of your city or county. This approval from your city or county is also necessary to the success of your building. If you fail to communicate with your local municipality or your building company, you may end up with all of the materials to build, but not have the right type of zoning in your area to build. If that is the case, you would be in quite a predicament because your building is designed to your specific area. If your steel building doesn’t meet the building codes of your planned location, it wouldn’t be advisable to attempt to erect it in a different area.

Permit drawings can also guide engineers when designing a steel building. An engineer will look at the permit requirement for your area a design your building accordingly, making sure every structural specification is adequately met. For instance, a metal building in Minnesota is going to need to be able to withstand snowfall better than a building in Texas. A metal building out west in California will need to be able to handle seismic activity better than a building in Pennsylvania. There are loads and codes to which engineers must adhere. You want your building to last and permit regulations allow for our in-house engineers, along with civil engineers at your local municipality, to verify a building will stand and perform for decades.

Your project manager will send you permit drawings after the approval drawing phase is complete. When you receive the permit drawing, your next step is taking it to the county or city to get your plans approved. Don’t make the mistake of laying your foundation before you get your permit drawings. Not only could you be looking at setbacks and an increase in cost, but it might not match your anchor bolt plan. It really is one of the biggest blunders you can make early in the process!

Remember, there is a lot of work that goes into your new metal building, but it isn’t intimidating as long as you plan properly. Take your time and get the proper paperwork and permits completed in a timely fashion. Now all that’s left is to take delivery of your new dream metal building!

Photo courtesy: US Navy Official

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Expansion is often equated with success. You hear it everywhere. Expansion could be called the American dream, and many singers and entertainers even emphasize they started from “the bottom.” Owning just one property isn’t enough to win Monopoly, is it? Start small, and with hard work, you’ll hopefully achieve your dream of being successful. Whether it’s a giant business in your hometown, or a red hotel on Boardwalk and Park Place, everybody will be able to see how successful you are by the growth and expansion you’ve made since the infancy of your company.

I’m sure your business probably started small. A few chicken coops for the farmers in your community, some pricey medicine, and a small feed storage area. Did you have a barn? What about a cramped building? Did you inherit the building from your family? Like any new venture, I’m sure there were some struggles, but eventually you started to turn a profit. The community saw you had good product and great customer service. In time, you gained the trust of the people in your area. With your profit, you bought more products. Some of the medicine helped save a few cows for a neighbor down the road. The feed you sold was rationed and ensured the survival of other farm animals when the snows hit. You added farm more supplies and feeders. The small wood building that houses you and your store is filling up fast. A higher demand requires a larger inventory. Does this sound like your situation?

At first, a smaller building wasn’t a big deal, but now you’re planning on expanding even further. Maybe you’ve become successful enough, you need to add a larger feed storage area to your store or your traditional timber building is run down and it’s more cost effective to expand with a new building. Let the expansion begin with a steel building.

Now that you’re ready to expand, you should do it properly. A steel building is an investment. I call it an investment because even though the upfront expense of a steel building might be more than a traditional timber building, you’ll see much for added benefits in the long run. Good investments pay off in the long run, don’t they?

For example, a steel building is built to last. A quality steel building will come with a warranty that lasts multiple decades. Most, if not all, wood buildings will require some replacement in that amount of time. The longevity of a steel building could also increase your property value. Right now retirement seems like a long way away. but one day it will be a reality and should you choose to sell your building, that steel building will be in good shape and that means a higher value for your property.

Of course, construction time has the potential to delay your expansion and your success. When you purchase a steel building, any delays will typically be minimal. Steel buildings are delivered ready to assemble and can be assembled in days or weeks instead of months. Once your steel building is erected, you will be able to take advantage of all of the space that a rigid frame building provides. You’ll be able to use almost every inch of your building. There won’t be any poles or anything to navigate around, and should your feed store have the demand for larger farming equipment, you’ll typically have the ability to store it provided your building is large enough. Your steel building is secure enough to protect you from the onslaught of Mother Nature as well. Sun, wind, rain, fire, and insects are all deterred by the strength of steel.

Don’t let the stereotypical image of a steel building deter you from building with steel. Advances in modern construction technology will help your store look the way you want it to look. All you have to do is speak with a project manager in the design process, and they’ll help you come up with your perfect design. Incorporating the proper aesthetics for you will brand your store and make it stand out for the right reasons.

Enjoy your success. You’ve earned it. Now you don’t have to think about future success, you can just experience it once it comes along.

Photo courtesy: US Department of Agriculture (2),

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Everybody likes to get more for their money. I know I’m guilty of purchasing things I don’t necessarily need because the deal is just too good to pass up. The same principle can apply to your clientele. If one of your customers wants a building with more space, but can’t sacrifice the square footage, it might be a good idea to suggest the implementation of a mezzanine floor.

A mezzanine floor is simply a raised platform that is located between the floor and ceiling of a building. This platform can be used to double the space in a steel building.

Mezzanine floors can be built with steel, fiberglass, or aluminum. Fiberglass is durable, but liable to crack if too much stress is applied to it. Aluminum can be a smart decision when building due to its durability, but tends to be more expensive. A steel mezzanine floor will be sturdy and is typically more cost effective than aluminum. Steel is more durable than fiberglass and won’t crack due to pressure. Quality steel is made to last a lifetime. Steel also requires little to no maintenance, and steel buildings offer great resistance to fire, insects and termites. With the proper steel building coatings, such as the galvanization of secondary framing, you can protect the steel from rust and moisture.

Like a steel building, a mezzanine floor is designed to fit the dimensions your client desires. The mezzanine floor is adaptable and isn’t intrusive. This let’s you and your client erect a building that has favorable aesthetics. Let’s face it, whether it’s a business or residential building, it needs to be pleasing to the eye. Along with being aesthetically pleasing, a building needs to accommodate space for inventory, employees and customers. The shelf items need displayed and customers need room to browse and feel comfortable, but as I’m sure you know, a steel storage building will have extra items stocked up to replace the shelf items. A mezzanine floor can be used to store any stockpile of items, or as an upstairs office.

A residential building can benefit from a mezzanine in a similar way. If your client wants to add another room to their house, but doesn’t want an odd looking addition, a mezzanine floor could give them the room without ruining the initial design.

There are four different types of mezzanines and they can be incorporated into a design based on your client’s needs. The first design is referenced by many names such as free standing, structural, steel, or wide span mezzanines. Regardless of what name it goes by, a free standing mezzanine offer great flexibility in set-up and restructuring if needed.

A second design, called ‘building supported’, can be incorporated as long as the foundation can support the load. A blended system can be incorporated if the design of the building isn’t optimal for the entire load. In a blended system, the mezzanine is supported by both the building and by additional columns. It’s a good idea to always check with a project manager or engineer if you plan on adding a mezzanine to your steel building.

A ‘rack supported’ mezzanine can be added to existing storage racks to provide more storage space. Of course this depends on the strength of the existing storage racks. If the aforementioned storage racks are strong enough, catwalks can be installed as well.

‘Shelving supported’ mezzanines are another option and are ideal for storing smaller items. The shelving supported mezzanines are a cost efficient way to efficiently use your client’s existing space, but it is also the hardest mezzanine to reconfigure once it is erected.

When is the best time to include a mezzanine? Any time is ideal to include a mezzanine floor in a building. As I stated earlier, including a mezzanine in plans for a new building will allow your client to build a smaller building and still make the most efficient use of the space provided. Should your client have the urge to include an employee lounge in their already standing office building, a mezzanine is the perfect addition. Again, it’s a great idea to speak to an engineer or project manager at a steel building supplier to confirm a mezzanine system is right for your or your client.

Photo courtesy: Robert Plant

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What’s keeping you from growing your business? Of course you want to expand your business and see it bloom into success. Many small business owners are afraid to grow – and we understand it can be a hectic prospect – if you let it become one. What if you decide expansion isn’t in your future?

First off, you’ll forgo the whole expansion process. That’s just a headache waiting to happen right? Your business will stay the size it is right now, and you won’t ever have a need to hire more employees, or purchase more product or find more inventory space.

But that’s clearly not in YOUR future. It’s too easy to do your research online, find a reputable steel building provider, and speak with them about your purchase options. Talking to new people and putting yourself out on a limb always brings an uncertainty. Shopping for a new steel building isn’t a difficult process. You’ll speak to a building consultant, provide him or her with your proposed dimensions, your zip code and other timely information, and you’ll receive a personalized quote. In this stage, you can go over your budget and determine the biggest or smallest structure you can afford. You might wonder how much a steel building costs – obviously managing costs are on the forefront of every small business owner’s mind. Account for the building itself, foundation costs, dirt work and other expenditures associated with a construction project.

Once you agree to purchase a new steel building, you be assigned to a project manager. This is a huge advantage for a first time builder. Project managers aren’t usually available at a random steel building broker. At brokers, you generally deal with the same person from the beginning, but that person might not have your budget, specifications or needs in mind. Project managers at a steel building manufacturer, like Armstrong Steel, are in place to guide you through the entire expansion process from ordering to delivery and will even be there for you during the erection process if you have any questions or any problems arise.

When you build with steel, you have to worry about the factors that can potentially harm a new steel building. We’re talking about moisture or rust. That’s a concern. You don’t want your building’s structural integrity compromised. But instead of putting off an expansion because you’re not sure about the quality of building material you’ll use, take a look at some of the benefits of steel.

For instance, steel is durable. A steel building is able to withstand the elements such as sun, wind and rain. When you build with steel, you won’t have to worry about termites or other pests. A quality steel building is made to last a lifetime and will come with a 50-year structural warranty. This durability allows you to save money in the long run. Sure, a steel building might require a greater initial payment than a wooden pole barn, but a steel building will usually last longer and cost less over the building’s lifetime. You won’t need to spend your hard earned money on repairs or replacing panels. Ask your county or local real estate agent about land appreciation in association with steel buildings. Quite often, land with a steel building on it is considered permanent, and will rise in value over time. Land with a pole barn usually depreciates, because a pole building isn’t considered a permanent structure by land and permitting offices.

Your business is probably thriving right now. You’ve worked hard to get in this position. Why risk it? Growing your business will typically keep your business ahead of the competition, will usually help you reach new customers, and may lead to an increase in profits. But even though you’re ‘doing fine’ now, will that continue?

If you continue to put off an expansion, you might be risking the future success of your company. As we’ve learned in our marketplace, treading water isn’t good enough. Most likely you have a determined clientele, and you’d like to expand that list of customers, right? If you can’t continue to give better service to your customer base once you inevitably gain more business, they’ll leave you. Loyalty is hard to come by these days. People want fast, easy and cheap. In fact, according to a consumer loyalty survey by Accenture, only 28% of consumers are loyal to their providers and brands. Take care of your customers by planning to expand with a new steel building when you expand your business.

You’ve put off expansion too many times to count. You’ve faced many challenges and objections. The process of ordering your new steel building is simple and easy. Your project manager is there to help you through the entire process and will do as much as you want them to do. In life, there aren’t many occasions that somebody is willing to support you throughout an entire process, if you want it.

We all know success is measured in growth. Don’t be afraid to grow and be successful.

Photo courtesy: Robert Couse-Baker, Kate Ter Haar

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New experiences can be scary, but they can also be extremely helpful in the learning process. The first day of school, your first time behind the wheel of a car, and the day you met your significant other’s parents were all scary experiences…at first. After that initial meeting, you learned how to turn these foreign experiences into favorable encounters. Buying a steel building is the same way. Sure, it might seem foreign at first if you’re a first time builder, but once you understand all of the parts, erecting a pre-engineered metal building can be a favorable experience as well.

In order to break the ice, so to speak, let’s take a look around a pre-engineered steel building, and get you acquainted with the parts and components.

You could say the framing of your building is the skeleton and the H-beam mainframes are the backbone of your rigid-frame steel building. These frames consist of a two or more columns that support a rafter. A column is a vertical member used to transfer loads from main roof beams, trusses, or rafters. Rafters run laterally from one side of the building to another and are spaced at intervals between the two endwalls. Your rafters should have pre-welded clips and pre-punched holes to ensure accuracy, simple assembly and erection. The main frames bear most of the loads of the building.

The main frames will extend to the endwalls of your building. The endwall is an exterior wall that runs parallel to the interior frame of your building. An endframe will be located at the endwall and is used to help support the loads of the end bay. Your end bay is located adjacent to the endwall and is usually the distance from endwall to the first interior main frame. A bay is the space between the main frames or primary supporting members in the longitudinal direction of a steel building system.

The secondary framing in your building carries loads from the building’s surface to the main frames. Secondary framing includes purlins and girts. A purlin is a horizontal beam that supports a roof sheeting. A girt is a horizontal structural member that supports paneling and is attached to sidewall and endwall columns. Proper precautions in the planning process will help protect your building and it’s secondary framing. Protecting your steel with zinc coatings, otherwise known as galvanizing your steel, will protect against rust and corrosion. Installing a white roof can also help protect your building against the heat of the sun, but other colors will also provide superior protection. A premium sculpted gutter or downspout and base angles are your first line of defense from moisture leaking into your building.

Insulation could be necessary in your building to reduce heat transfer and to regulate temperature. Choosing the right insulation for your building is critical, but luckily with a little help from a project manager, it isn’t a difficult process.

Your wall sheeting will be placed on the outside of your frame. The wall sheeting is usually available in multiple colors. Below your wall sheeting, you can add a wainscot. Wainscot is a material that is different from the rest of the wall. The color you pick and whether you add a wainscot to your wall are all aesthetic choices and finishing options for a pre-engineered metal building. If you’re looking to buy, make sure you check out which warranties each supplier offers.

I hope now that you have a basic understanding of what your steel building is made up of, the proposition of erecting a pre-engineered metal building isn’t scary at all.

Want to get more in depth? Visit our virtual steel building for more information!

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Let’s face it – steel is synonymous with strength. Superman is often known as “The Man of Steel.” He is the most powerful superhero and is called upon to save the people of Earth from alien threats, killer robots, and ruthless billionaires. Your custom steel building is – in essence – just like Superman. While it may not be able to protect you from alien invasions, it’s strong and secure enough to protect you and your belongings if it’s properly designed.

There are many things you can do to make sure your custom steel building protects you like it’s supposed to. The most important is to not fall into what I like to call the “the cheap building trap.” When you’re shopping around for a custom steel building, don’t just pick the building with the cheapest price. In the construction industry, ‘you get what you pay for.’ If you pay a little, you’re more than likely going to get little quality. But you don’t have to break the bank either. Quality steel is necessary to keep your metal building safe and secure. There are ways to save money with a custom steel building and your project manager would be happy to help you, but sacrificing quality for price isn’t one of them. Don’t forget there is a difference between cost and price as well. Price is usually the amount of which you’re paying, but cost is the amount you stand to lose over time. This is the word you need to use when you talk about a return on your investment. You are looking for a return on your investment, right?

Many people tend to ignore instruction manuals. If I get a new TV stand, I’m probably going to dump all the pieces out on the floor and go to work. Usually I end up with a few extra parts leftover, but the TV stand is still up and ready to go. This is NOT what you want to do with your steel building. Your custom steel building is designed to your specific requirements and your area. While it’s true your building is designed to be erected quickly and efficiently, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take care when you’re in the erection process. Properly installing the fasteners is another step that seems like common sense, and it could hurt the structural integrity of your building if this specific process isn’t given the proper attention. There are many other mistakes you can make in the erection process, which could jeopardize the structural integrity of a building. Proper design and a little maintenance will keep your metal building strong and secure for decades. A white roof could help your building fend off the sun and galvanized steel will protect it from rust.

A custom steel building will keep you safe and secure from fire as well. Steel isn’t combustible like wood. Should the unthinkable happen and a fire break out in your building, your custom steel building is typically able to withstand such disaster, unlike a wood framed building or pole barn. Quality steel is designed to last decades, not just years. A properly erected custom steel building also comes with a 50-year structural warranty, 40-year wall panel and paint warranty, and 35-year roof panel warranty. You shouldn’t have to worry about your building every day. You are busy enough, and with a steel building, you won’t have to worry.

Again, with the proper care and design, your building will have structural security, but there are measures you can take to protect from an intruders. Obviously, it will be your call to take these precautions based on the crime levels in your area. Steel doors and self-framing windows can be incorporated to keep intruders out. These metal security techniques have all the same benefits your metal building will have, like resistance to fire and durability. It’s an ugly thing to think about, but with steel you’ll usually be able to rest assured that there won’t be any unwanted guests in your building. This includes pests like termites!

But, of course, the ‘Man of Steel’ isn’t perfect. While I wouldn’t say your steel building has a ‘kryptonite,’ you will need to protect it against moisture. To prevent moisture, you can investigate steel building insulation with a suitable R-value for your particular area. Periodical replacement of your insulation will help keep your building strong for years.

Follow these tips and your custom steel building should stay secure, and be able to protect you from almost anything.

Photo courtesy: Joseph Novak

Search Results for: project manager

Are you shopping for a new metal building? Are you looking for a new workshop or garage for your property? If you are unsure of what material to build with, take a look at some of the reasons to build a pre-engineered metal building.

New Technology, New Designs – When you build with steel, you aren’t limited to designs of the past. Now you can design your building to have virtually any appearance you want due to modern technology.
Build Green – Steel buildings don’t take a toll on the environment like traditional timber buildings do. Steel buildings require ZERO trees to build. The same obviously can’t be said about other building materials.
Energy Efficient – Steel buildings can be extremely energy efficient, leading to increased savings on heating and cooling costs.
Versatility – A steel frame can be incorporated into many different designs such as office buildings, sheds, and even churches.
Open Space – A rigid frame steel building won’t have intrusive poles to support the roof and walls, and also won’t have bulky trusses taking up space in your building. Use ALL the space in a pre-engineered metal building!
Durability – Quality steel is durable and can last a lifetime. Be sure to check the warranties of the pre-engineered steel building you purchase.
Save Money – You can lock your steel order and get in contact with a project manager right away.
Increase Property Value – The durability of a steel building will keep the building in excellent condition over time and may allow you to sell your property for more profit than if you were to build with wood.
Low Labor Cost – Due to the simplicity of the erection process of a pre-engineered steel building, you won’t have to pay laborers for a long period of time.
Easy to Incorporate HVAC Sensors– HVAC sensors can automatically regulate things like lights and temperature to save energy.
Solar Power – Your steel building can be engineered to incorporate solar panels and solar power.
Tax Breaks – According to the IRS, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 increased the tax credit from 10% to 30% for incorporating energy efficient features into a design.
Steel Is Recyclable – Steel scrap can be an essential ingredient in the steelmaking process.
Strength – Your steel building is impervious to rotting, unlike a traditional timber building or pole barn.
No Termites – A steel building will not fall victim to an insect infestation such as termites.
Fire Resistant – Steel has a natural resistance to fire and will be able to withstand high temperatures.
Weather Resistant -Your steel building will be designed with your location and climate in mind. This greatly raises the chances your building will be able to withstand the elements such as rain, hurricanes, and even earthquakes.
Flexibility – Steel buildings can be as small as 10’x10’ or have 300’ spans or more.
Build For The Long Term – The upfront cost of a steel building could be more than a pole barn, but consider it an investment that can slowly appreciate over time. Land with a pole barn could depreciate over time.
Little Maintenance – Steel buildings require very little maintenance and will allow you to invest your funds elsewhere.
Factory Manufactured Product – Steel building systems are applicable in almost every design. Plus, they don’t come off an assembly line. Pre-engineered structures are built specifically for each individual’s needs.
Quick Assembly – Pre-engineered metal building parts are welded in the factory before they are shipped out. This means everything will come to your job site ready for erection; no field fabrication or welding necessary.
Erect the Building Yourself – You can erect the building with a few friends of family members! If you feel uncomfortable with erecting a steel building, there are independent, professional contractors available for hire.
Project Managers – When you place an order, we will assign you a project manager (at no extra cost). The project manager will be there to guide you through the design and engineering process. A project manager is NOT a General Contractor.
Single Source Production – Some companies outsource your entire steel building purchase after they receive your business. That’s something a “broker” does. By choosing a provider that will design and engineer your building in house, and help you throughout the entire process, you will have an easier time, especially if you need to communicate any necessary changes.
Easily Expandable – Your steel building is easily expanded by removing end walls and adding panels.
Mezzanine Floors – Your building can be designed to incorporate a mezzanine floor. They are always an option for your steel building to make an effective use of all the space you have.
Design Process – By making the right decisions in the design process, you’re setting up your steel building for the long run.
Easy To Protect Against Rust – When designing your building, opt for galvanized secondary framing to protect against rust.
Multiple Paint Options – By simply choosing the right paint, you can reflect the sun’s rays away from your building and extend its lifespan in the process. Choose from 20 different colors for your pre-engineered metal building.
Just Follow The Instructions – If you like to get your hands dirty, a pre-engineered steel building is something you may be able to put together by following easy instructions.
Lower Insurance Rates – Since steel is so durable, you will typically see lower insurance costs than other building materials.
Grow Crops All Year – Steel greenhouses can be designed to grow indoor crops year round.
Easily Replicable – Should you desire another steel building in a different area, it is easy to update specifications and restart the building process.
High Humidity Tolerance – Pre-galvanized steel protects against rust and this allows you to have a humid environment in your steel building without worrying about corrosion.
Clear Span – Clear span rigid frames do not have interior columns or internal poles to stand. The loads from the roof are supported and transferred to the foundation.
Increased Safety – Steel buildings can be designed with multiple exits to increase safety. Plus, it’s an engineered system, meaning it’s designed to stand for decades.
Perfect For Barns – A steel building offers the space and safety needed to house all of your farming equipment, livestock and storage.
No Waste – Each steel building is designed in house, so there is no residual waste. You only pay for the materials you use, as opposed to lumber.
Install Outside Water Source – A steel barn can be built to support the loads of an outside water source.
Permits Are Relatively Easy To Obtain – Permits are used to make sure your building meets the safety requirements of your area. In most cases, it isn’t difficult to obtain a necessary permit.
Efficient Material Utilization – Computer aided design and manufacturing processes allow steel to be fabricated with lower wastes and material costs.
Necessary Expansion – Whether you need to keep up with your rivals or need to meet product demand, expanding with steel will usually keep your down time low and your profits relatively normal.
Perfect For Fallout Shelters – If you want to be ready for anything, reinforced steel walls and steel poles will be able to protect you from whatever dangers there are in the outside world.
LEED Certification – Your pre-engineered steel building can be designed with the U.S. Green Building Council’s standards in mind and can earn you a LEED certification.
EPA Friendly – The EPA advises to build for durability and adaptability to reduce waste and help protect the environment. These are two of the many benefits of steel.
See the Light -Your steel building can be designed to include large windows and skylights to take advantage of natural light and reduce energy cost. You get to decide to place your window and door openings wherever you like.
Steel Is An American Export – The American steel industry is alive and well. Of course some companies import their steel or export their orders overseas, buying from an American in-house manufacturer is the best option.
History – The first iron frame building was built in 1796 in Shrewsbury, England and in 1889, the Rand McNally Building in Chicago became the first ‘all steel framed’ skyscraper. Today, pre-engineered buildings are some of the most durable, flexible and versatile structures in the world.
Over 10,000 Buildings Erected Every Year – Workers erect over 10,000 steel buildings every year all across the USA. You’re not alone.

A steel building can be the perfect solution for you. If you still aren’t convinced, feel free to check out our First Time Builders blog for more information.