Adventures in Metal Buildings
Posted by admin on Feb 23, 2009
Who would have guessed that you could have an entire adventure that takes place in metal buildings? We were at an amusement park and a surprising number of rides and special effects features were set up in metal buildings. I was amazed by how quickly our perspectives changed when we entered one ride in particular. It was a ride called Ride Along with E.T. (you know, the movie from the 80s). To take the ride, we sat on these bikes that looked just like the ones Elliot and E.T. rode off into the moonlight on in the movie. We did not have to pedal the bikes, though. Our bikes first took us through a moonlit wooded area. It felt like a Fall night and the smell of pine trees enveloped us. We could see stars too. The ride took us racing through trees and above roof tops. We felt like we were in the movie. An incredible adventure in a series of metal buildings.
It makes sense that metal buildings are such a staple at amusement parks everywhere. A metal building can be assembled by a few untrained people without unusual tools and equipment. An instruction manual and drawings are included when you purchase one of these buildings. This allows you to pour the concrete foundation ahead of time. Most of the buildings assemble via metal arches that can be put together on the ground. You raise the basic structure, and secure it to the foundation. The other pieces can be added once that is done and your building is then finished. With the help of a few people, you now have a new building that only took a week, at most, to put together.
Metal buildings have a leg up on traditional structures beyond the fact that they are easy to build. They are a lot cheaper to build than traditional buildings. Because of the simple and strong structure of metal buildings, there are no extra trusses and beams like in traditional buildings. That means you get to use almost all the space. You do not have to worry about maintaining the roof, cleaning gutters or painting the structure. No traditional building could weather hurricanes, hail, water and flames like metal buildings can. Metal buildings do not require the use of any trees and their components can be reused. Metal is also impervious to carpenter ants, bees and termites.
Amusement parks may use metal buildings for fun and entertainment, but the rest of the world finds the buildings useful for the same durable and economical reasons. Metal buildings are used commercially by all branches of the military, farms, gymnasiums, paint and body shops and churches. They serve residential consumers as sheds, storage buildings and hobby shops. You can buy plane tickets to an adventure park in a warm climate with all the cost savings of a metal building. Plus, you can leave it behind and not worry about the maintenance.
An introduction to Quonset huts
Posted by admin on Feb 20, 2009
Quonset huts were first built during the World War II when the constructors began to realize that steel buildings were not only cheap to build but it also took less time than a brick and concrete building to build one. It started off from the idea of airplane hangars built by the Military and Air force. These could be easily assembled by hand just like a freighter and in case it had to be moved, it was as easy as taking the structure apart and rebuilding it on a different location just as it was in the previous one. Only a handful of soldiers were required to 6 meter wide and 15 meter long Quonset huts. Quonset huts were used by allies to protect their assets and soldiers from sunlight, rain and snow.
These initial Quonset huts were neither good to look at nor very strong, therefore construction companies in the early sixties decided to change that by making stronger and better looking Quonset huts. This became possible only three decades back when companies invented construction grade steel that was stronger. Today, the scene for Quonset huts has totally changed, they are more in demand than a traditional private/ commercial building made of wood or concrete and bricks.
Compared to a traditionally built building, Quonset huts have several advantages. They are stronger, safer and cheaper. They are built to easily see a natural disaster like earthquake and hurricane through. Quonset huts are also eco friendly as the material can be reused and recycled in other buildings.
Quonset huts are now another name given to steel buildings. A building that is not made in traditional style and use steel columns, blocks and sheets is a steel building. The primary construction materials used in a traditional building are bricks, concrete and wood. Compared to traditional buildings, Quonset huts are durable, safer, economic and have a higher aesthetic appeal. Perforated sheets are the most commonly used building material in Quonset huts Quonset huts. The cost and weight of building the structure goes down when perforated sheets are used.Perforated sheets help bring the cost and weight of Quonset huts. Compared to traditionally built sheets, these are easier to bend and to be blended into desired shapes. It is usual these days for ware houses, storage houses, work shops, garages and more recently offices, homes and modern buildings to be Quonset huts. They are every where now, mushroomed into artistic masterpieces and gigantic skyscrapers.
You can now buy Quonset huts as pre fabricated units in various shapes and sizes. Engineers can design Quonset huts on his computer and the design and pattern can be made in a factory by computer controlled machines. On a first look, they can not be distinguished from a house built of masonry or concrete as the finishing can be done over the steel structure. Quonset huts are now also available in many patterns, you can even order one with designer windows, plumbings, roof etc. Some developers have started selling Quonset huts on the internet. These developers also take orders to deliver and assemble a Quonset huts on site. If you plan on placing the order for a Quonset huts online make sure you read the terms of service and the contract very carefully. Check for materials used, time taken to build and labor costs to determine the actual cost of the deal.
Steel Buildings in the Current Economy
Posted by admin on Feb 15, 2009
The unsteady nature of the recent US economy has left many people examining their empty pockets. Retirement and investment accounts have taken a nose dive and unemployment has increased. Adding fuel to the fire, banks have made their guidelines for lending much stricter. That means that consumers are finding it harder to pay for or borrow money for home improvements. The financial burden of building a structure can be a big one. One of the home improvement resources that can help consumers save money is steel buildings.
Steel buildings are used for many different things. They can serve as a hobby shop or shed. Commercially, they are utilized for gymnasiums, recreational facilities and retail stores. Schools use steel buildings for overflow classrooms and temporary facilities during construction. The cost comparison between traditional structures versus steel buildings draws many people in. A traditionally constructed building can cost twice as much as a steel one. It is more cost effective to maintain a building made of steel, as well. Steel buildings have no gutters to clean or roofs to be kept up. A traditional structure cannot withstand wind, rain, hail and fire like a steel one. Steel structures are more energy efficient. It is not necessary to spend money on exterminators, as steel buildings are not attractive to termites and carpenter ants. The construction of steel buildings does not require hiring costly contractors. They can be erected with the help of just a few people and do not require unusual tools or equipment. There is more cost savings, since the steel structure only take a few days to put up. No storage units or temporary tents will need to be leased.
The cost saving benefits of steel buildings are obvious. They come with benefits beyond the economical ones, though. Steel is better for the environment in the long run. Steel is the ultimate in recyclable building materials and no trees have to be sacrificed to put up a structure made with it. Steel buildings are so strong that there is not a lot of wasted space, which means you get to use almost all of the inside space. As mentioned previously, a steel structure is extremely quick and easy to erect. Everyone loves a building that can be built so quickly.
Steel buildings offer many advantages, especially in the current rocky financial times. They are cheaper to build than traditional structures, can be put up easily in a few days, come with no upkeep and give you an efficient use of space. Look into steel buildings, if the task of building a traditional structure seems too overwhelming.