Quonset Buildings: Updating the Original Steel Buildings

Many of today’s steel buildings are modeled on Quonset buildings, the original easy-to-build and easy-to-move steel building. The arch-frame design of these steel buildings made them the ideal choice for Army barracks during World War II. They could be assembled quickly with a minimum of tools, provided plenty of space for housing troops or equipment, stood up to the most inclement weather and could be disassembled, packed and moved to another location if necessary.

The biggest drawback to those early steel buildings was their appearance. Few people could look at the 1940s-era Quonset buildings and try to pretend they were attractive or stylish. Looks didn’t stop farmers and manufacturers all around the country from snapping up surplus Quonset huts when they could get their hands on them. Over the years, those steel buildings have stood the test of time. You can still see many of them standing and in use for grain storage, garages and equipment storage throughout the Midwest.

Today, the manufacturers of steel buildings have taken care of the appearance problem. There are a number of metal building styles that are based on the Quonset building, but that feature straight sides, sloped roofs and attractive finishes. Advances in steel technology and design have created a whole new look for steel buildings, and even added a few benefits to the original features that made Quonset huts so popular years ago. Those benefits include:

Low Cost: Quonset buildings can cost as little as $5 a square foot, depending upon the options you choose.

Easy Construction: A team of reasonably able do-it-yourselfers can assemble a small metal building in a couple of days of concentrated work with no specialized tools.

Easy Maintenance: Steel buildings never need repainting or refinishing. They’re powder-coated with color that doesn’t fade or peel, and only needs a hose-down now and then to remove surface dirt.

Durability: Every metal building is custom engineered to meet the building codes of your area, including codes for snow load bearing and wind resistance.

Energy Efficient: Weather-tight and easy to insulate, steel buildings are less costly to heat and cool than traditional structures. You’ll often have the option to choose a reflective roof, and to install vents that reduce evaporation and promote air circulation.

More Interior Space: Because they require no columns, interior supports or posts, steel buildings provide the maximum amount of usable interior space.

Today’s steel buildings may be a bit fancier and easier on the eye than the traditional Quonset buildings, but they still have the strong bones and great lines of the original workhorse of the metal building world.