A Basic Guide To Steel Buildings
Posted by admin on Mar 19, 2009
Steel buildings today come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, and they are used for many different applications. There was once a time when steel buildings were primarily used for industrial purposes. Recent advances in technology however, have made steel more feasible as a general construction material. Today, an increasing number of structures are constructed from steel, from shopping malls to hangars, from office buildings to factories.
Steel buildings can generally be categorized into three main groups: steel frame buildings, steel pole buildings, and steel arch buildings.
In steel frame buildings, steel is used as the structural basis instead wood, which was traditionally the most common material used. The resulting structure could then be finished with any number of different building materials, with brick or stucco being common options. Steel frame buildings are typically used for offices, residential structures, and churches.
Steel pole buildings typically use steel posts and trusses in place of wood. Metal sheathing may then be used for finishing walls and the roof, although wood sidings are often used as well. Steel pole buildings are also often known as pole barns, particularly when they are used for agricultural applications.
Another common application of steel in agricultural and industrial fields is in steel arch buildings. These types of buildings are by far the easiest ones to assemble, which makes them a popular choice for construction. Since steel arch buildings use arched steel panels in their construction, they often do not need any framing or the use of columns or posts.
One of the most attractive aspects of steel buildings is that can generally be built quickly. This is a particularly attractive trait in the construction industry where time is always of the essence. The speed in which steel buildings can be constructed is mainly due to the pre engineering of the different components in a factory, after which they are shipped to the construction site where they are assembled. Steel buildings can also be expanded or extended easily and inexpensively.
In many cases, the manufacturers of steel buildings will provide personnel to deliver the different parts of the building and even lay them out. Most companies that manufacture prefabricated steel buildings are involved with all aspects of their construction from design to delivery, for which they charge a package rate. This makes things considerably easier for everyone involved in the construction process.
Steel is currently one of the best construction materials available. In addition, it is also comparatively inexpensive, which makes steel buildings an even better choice for construction engineers.
Steel Buildings a Great Option|
Posted by admin on Mar 10, 2009
Steel buildings are a great option for commercial, institutional or agricultural needs. There are many reasons why steel buildings are a great option for builders, even in the case of residential construction. Some of the benefits of steel buildings include durability, cost, health, and that it is environmentally friendly.
It is less costly to construct steel buildings than one might think. Steel is cost efficient because it is both relatively inexpensive to produce, and it is very durable. Steel differs from wood and other natural building materials in that it is not prone to structural problems like termite infestations or rotting. Also, steel is much stronger than wood, which means that you can building higher, wider and generally larger dwellings that are still strong and safe to inhabit. Often since you need fewer joints and support within steel, you will need less steel to construct in proportion to what you would use with wood.
You may be surprised to know that steel buildings are very environmentally friendly. Due to the fact that steel can weigh nearly half as much as the wood you would need for a similarly sized structure, it can be less costly to ship or transport. Best of all, steel is completely recyclable. More steel is recycled per year than paper, glass, aluminum and plastic put together, and amounts to approximately sixty million tons per year. To build a 2,000 square foot dwelling from wood you would need to harvest 40 to 50 trees, whereas buildings of the same size in steel would only require six recycled cars!
Physical health and safety also get high marks with steel. First of all, steel is not conducive to molds and mildews, unlike wood buildings. Steel does not rust due to the galvanization process. As a result, you will typically find superior indoor air quality to that of other structures. One of the biggest safety concerns of home and business owners is that of the building being a fire hazard. Steel is extremely safe in this department, as it is fire retardant and not combustible. In turn, this fact could lower lower insurance premiums.
The different building possibilities you have with steel are basically endless. Not only can you build commercial and industrial structures with steel, but also modern or traditional style homes. You can use steel in conjunction with other materials to save on costs, or just for aesthetic value. In short, steel buildings are among the most cost effective, durable, and safe for both humans and the environment.
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.
More Than Just Military Shelters: Quonset huts
Posted by admin on Jan 26, 2009
Quonset huts are a unique architectural phenomena, a revolutionary concept in temporary housing. Quonset huts are essentially lightweight buildings designed from galvanized iron structured with in a hemispherical cross section. The design of Quonset huts was inspired from the Nissen hut model and was made popular by the British during World War I. The Nissen hut itself had several disadvantages such as the complicated unit of corrugated steel and the insulation which was derived from the way the panels were put together, so the Government suggested improvements to make shipping and assembly easier. Quonset huts were named after the first manufacturing site, Quonset Point, Danisville, which was part of Rhode Island. The first approved design had a surface area 5 x 11 m and was constructed from hemispherical iron rods with a 2.4 m radius, and these were then covered with ribbed iron panes. The sides of the main unit was cut out to include the doors and windows in wooden ply, and the thermal protected central area had wooden flooring.
The very idea of this type of provisional housing facilities increased in use post 1941 when the US Navy needed reliable shelters for its military bases. The answer lay in constructing a lightweight shelter that could be readily shipped anywhere and did not require expert hands during assembly. The structures needed no special flooring to assemble on and could be placed as easily on the ground as on steel pilings or hard concrete floors. The interiors could be used as needed and the open area could be concerted into residential units, military offices, storage structures or even be used as barracks. Quonsets instantly provided the US troops with better comfort than did other temporary shelters such as tents with wooden platforms, which were the common structures used then.
From its application as military shelters, many other contractors began developing their own versions of the Quonset hut for other uses. From its initial deisgn, Quonset huts have seen many enhancements, and the last significant one was in 1943 when the Quonset Point manufacturing factory was taken over by the Great Lakes Steel Corporation and established as the Stran Steel Division. The variant of the Quonset huts thus developed had a more elongated design and applied the full arch corrugated pipes that was part of the intial model. Some variations of the Quonset hut structures were created to serve special needs, such as the wooden Pacific hut, and many of these did save valuable metal resources. Some had heavy steel piping and these were specifically built to serve as air raid shelters. Several larger units and multi arched Quonset huts have also been built as a response to special requests, government or civil.
Originally Quonset huts did come up to solve military requirements, but have since risen to an architectural icon. In current times, Quonset huts are receiving better recognition as a form of housing, and are an indicator of the American belief in creativity. Quonset huts are truly a one of a kind blend of practicality, and a unique mixture of the unusual and the innovative.
Steel Buildings for Commercial and Residential Purposes
Posted by admin on Jan 25, 2009
I have a friend who is currently deployed to Iraq. He will be there for over a year. He sends me frequent e mail updates and digital photos, which helps me understand a little about what his daily life is like. I assumed he would be living in a tent city like in MASH. To my surprise, they are living in these prefab steel buildings.
I was quite relieved to know he would be more protected in steel buildings than in a tent city, but I still did a little digging to find out more about these structures. I was distracted by the idea of those trucks on the highway carrying part of a house with a sign slapped to the back announcing “wide load.” I knew my friend would be living in something more substantial than that, but I needed to see for myself.
A quick search for steel buildings yielded a handful of companies that provide them for numerous purposes. The government uses a lot of these type of structures. You will see that many companies advertise their Government Services Administration approval. Commercial boat yards, farmers and auto mechanics use steel buildings for storage, service areas and retail. A structure can be chosen, shipped and erected within a very short time frame. Steel buildings require less structural beams and trusses, so they offer more usable space than traditional structures. They require little maintenance, as they have no siding or gutters.
Home owners can see the advantages of steel buildings over traditional structures too. Steel buildings are offered in various basic models. With just a few people, these steel buildings can be erected easily. The majority of the construction can be done on the ground without special tools. Decades and decades ago, my grandparents built a metal garage with the help of contractors. It felt like quite a process. Knowing my do it yourself grandparents, they would have preferred the ease of one of these new prefab steel buildings, had such things been available back then. Given that they were farmers, they would have been happy to support one of the many companies that offers buildings made from US steel and made in the US.
I am sure most people who choose steel buildings do so because they are extremely easy to maintain, fit their budget and are easy to order and build. Thinking of my deployed friend, I, however, am comforted by the fact that they are STEEL.
What Are Steel Buildings?
Posted by admin on Jan 19, 2009
Steel buildings are the metal buildings and they are getting much in demand, because of the features and the benefits they offer. Both consumers are businesses prefer to go for steel buildings as they want to reduce their costs and meet their needs. Steel buildings are providing premium quality and customized solutions in the structural designs. Steel buildings are constructed not only for residential purposes but also for the commercial purposes like for multi faceted sports complex, suburban hobby shop etc.
There are a number of construction companies which are offering construction services for steel buildings, but the best company is the one which can meet your design specifications or which can fulfill your project requirements. Steel buildings can be right option for you if you want to save material cost. Warranties of 30 to 50 years are also offered by the construction companies. Some construction companies are offering international and nationwide services therefore; you can check the reputation of the company before signing any contract. The need of steel buildings was felt to introduce the customized buildings which can be built in the project’s location like in snow, rain etc. The designers of these buildings are professional experts and their expertise can be analyzed by looking their previously designed buildings.
Before signing any contract for steel building, few things should be considered by the client. Obviously the first thing is the lowest price available because if you want to reduce your material cost then select the company which have a good name in the market and which can offer you a reasonable price. Secondly, duration of warranty should be checked and the policies and coverage of warranty should be well understood. Thirdly, the steel should be of premium quality because you cannot compromise with the quality of the materials and for a stronger and durable building, commercial grade material should be only used. Most of the companies also offer maintenance services for free therefore, always ask the builder to provide free maintenance services.
Steel buildings can offer you a lot of benefits. Steel buildings are reliable because you can get at least 30 years warranty with them. These buildings can be built more quickly as compare to other conventional buildings. These buildings are durable and you can use them for any purpose. Steel buildings use strongest architectural designs therefore; you can incorporate all your creative and innovative ideas in these buildings. In addition to the above benefits, a steel building can really offer great value for your dollar. Moreover, the major benefit of steel buildings is that these are customized buildings and they can completely suit the needs of the owner.