Accessories and Finish Work for Steel Buildings

Steel buildings are an increasingly popular choice for homeowners who want to add garages, workshops, home offices and other additions to their homes. There are dozens of decisions to make when you’re trying to narrow down your choice of steel buildings for your property, but none are quite as much fun as choosing the accessories and finish work that customizes your new building and makes it stand out from other steel buildings of similar basic design. These are the most common customizations and accessories you can choose from when designing your steel buildings.

Trim Choices for Steel Buildings

Trim serves two major functions for your building. First, and most important, it covers places where two pieces of metal join and makes the building weather tight. Second, and more obviously, trim makes your building look neatly finished and complete. Many steel building companies provide a wide range of color choices in trim options, and the best custom cut the trim for each building. Properly finished and installed trim is like the frosting on a cake – it greatly enhances the building’s appearance and value.

Gutters and Downspouts

Some suppliers of steel buildings include the gutters and downspouts in the trim package, but a few don’t. Even those that count them as part of the trim package nearly always offer them in colors that match the trim for a complete look.

Roof Ridge

The roof ridge fits over the top of the roof peak and connects the two roof panels to each other. It also covers the seam between the two roof peaks and prevents leaks. The roof ridge is also part of the basic trim package, even though it has a vital purpose.

Windows and Skylights

Windows provide light and ventilation, and improve the appearance of your steel building – but they’re not always necessary for small steel buildings, garages and storage sheds. Even if they’re not required, however, they can add a professional finishing touch and make your shed or garage fit more comfortably into the landscape. Windows fit anywhere in your steel building between supports and cables, and are self-framing, so they’re very easy to install.

Skylights are made of heavy-duty fiberglass and can be installed in the roof or on any of the walls. They’re usually sold in pairs, but may be available as singles. Properly installed skylights allow natural lighting into steel buildings and increase their energy efficiency. They also add a nice finishing touch to a home office, office or retail space.

The finish work on steel buildings is half the fun and most of the style. Once you’ve done all the hard work of meeting local building codes and figuring out the specs needed for proper load-bearing, take a break from the hard work and have a little fun.