Monday, November 14, 2011

Tips for Choosing Steel Buildings for Your Property

If you’re looking for the best storage options for your property, steel buildings are bound to be high on your list. They’re economical, well-built, durable and energy efficient – not to mention available in many styles and colors to fit in with your home and property. Adapted from the Quonset buildings used during World War I to house soldiers and set up field stations, arch-framed steel buildings have transcended their utilitarian origins to become truly flexible structures that can meet nearly any residential or commercial need you have. If you’re shopping around for the right metal building for your property, these tips can help you narrow down your choices and find the right supplier for your needs.

Decide on the Right Size First

Steel buildings are available in a wide range of sizes, from garden shed size to longer than a pair of football fields stacked end to end. Measure your available space to figure out the maximum size for your metal building, then evaluate your needs to come up with your final figure. For garages, for example, the standard size for a single car garage is about 10 feet by 20 feet. For a two-car garage, you should be looking at steel buildings that are a minimum of 26 feet by 20 feet. Don’t forget to include enough room in your plans to walk around the outside of the building for maintenance purposes.

Consider Whether You Need a Foundation

One of the major advantages of steel buildings is that many don’t need much in the way of a foundation. If your structure is going to have an earthen floor, for example, you may not need a foundation at all. For a garage or garden shed, a poured cement slab foundation is usually enough. No matter what you’re building, however, your local code department may have specific requirements for foundations.

Check with Your Code Department

The foundation isn’t the only requirement your code department may have. Check with your local zoning office to find out what kind of permits you’ll need before you order your steel building, as well as to get the standards and specifications that steel buildings must meet in your town and location.

Research the Steel Building Supplier

Don’t be so dazzled by a low price that you neglect to do your due diligence. While steel buildings are more economical than wood-framed buildings, they still represent a significant investment. Before you plunk down your hard-earned money, take the time to research the company you’re buying from to make sure their reputation in the business is a good one.

Steel buildings are a great option for use as garages, barns, garden sheds, workshops and home offices. Make sure that you do your homework before you decide to buy so that you’ll get the best deal possible on your new metal building.

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