Category Archives: steel buildings
Uses and Add-Ons for Steel Buildings
At Worldwide Steel Buildings, we’re used to surprising our customers with bells and whistles they never thought were possible in a steel building. If you thought steel buildings were big metal boxes with little opportunity for customization, you’re in for a big surprise. We offer a wide variety of steel building accessories to improve the character and functionality of your building project. Take a look at some of these options for metal building additions that are available when you construct a metal building with Worldwide Steel:
Add a Mezzanine
Imagine a balcony above the main space of your steel building. It’s possible in a Worldwide Steel building, and is a fantastic, cost-effective way to increase the usable space in your building. Use it for extra storage in your workshop, an office in your garage, or a cool game room in your man cave. Our mezzanine bar joist system lets you easily add a loft anywhere. No matter what you use it for, it’s a great way to provide extra space without increasing the building’s footprint.
Skylights Let the Sun Shine In
If you thought a steel building was destined to rely on only man-made light, think again. Natural light is completely possible with the addition of skylights. Enjoy all the benefits of sunlight in your home, woodshop, or garage. Go ahead, make some vitamin D!
Insulation Keeps You Warm & Cozy
Steel buildings may seem cold, but in reality, they are as warm and cozy as you want to make them. We can install insulation in any steel building, no matter what you’re using it for. Many people build homes and enjoy a snug home with no drafts and energy-efficiency (that means lower energy bills, too).
Modified Roof Designs Keep It Interesting
Contrary to popular belief, not all steel buildings look alike. You have plenty of roofline styles to choose from including single slope, asymmetrical, and gabled. You can change the size of your eave extensions. You can even add a cupola! Check out your options with our 3D Building Designer.
A Metal Building Add-On Expands an Existing Structure
Adding a building expansion to your existing building can be a real undertaking when you’re working with traditional building construction. When you’re working with prefab metal buildings, especially precision-engineered Worldwide Steel building kits, it’s much easier. Whether you want to expand the entire footprint of your original building or just add a simple new addition like a carport,
Choose from Many Different Exterior Facades
Does your steel building have to look like a steel building from the outside? Absolutely not. Besides being able to customize the look of your steel building with a wide range of many colors, you can also completely change the facade by choosing brick, stucco, concrete, or wood. A steel building doesn’t have to look like a steel building. Check out these exterior finishes. You can customize it to look like whatever you want! Add cupolas, overhangs, gutters and downspouts, Dutch doors and more.
A Beautiful Steel Building That Will Last for Decades
Considering the durability of a steel building vs. wooden structures (our buildings come with a 50-year structural warranty), and the ease of assembly and the overall versatility, investing in a steel building makes a lot of sense — especially when you see the extra character you can add with our steel building additions.
So, if aesthetics were holding you back, plow ahead and build the structure of your dreams with a steel building from Worldwide Steel!
For a free quote on your new building project, give us a call at (800) 825-0316. One of our friendly representatives will be happy to talk you through the process of choosing Worldwide Steel structures. For more information on choosing between metal structures or the construction process, download our Steel Building Info Guide for more information. Just click on the image below:
Steel vs. Wood Frame Buildings: Which Type is More Eco-Friendly?
If you’ve been looking to build a new home, space for your business, or add a building to your personal or company property, but want to do so with the environment in mind, you’re smart to weigh the pros and cons of metal framing vs. traditional wood construction. And, based on a general cultural belief (combined with strong messaging from the timber industry), you may be leaning toward a wood frame building.
After all, wood is the most natural, sustainable, renewable building resource around, so constructing the entirety of your building — studs to siding — is the way to go … right? Well, not so fast. While many think a wood frame building is the obvious choice for a smaller impact on the Earth, steel frame buildings are better for the environment in many ways, both immediate and long-lasting!
The experts at Worldwide Steel Buildings are breaking down the facts:
Common Misconceptions about Wood Buildings & the Environment
An inescapable fact is that all large manufacturing operations leave behind a carbon footprint. No matter how sustainable a practice or process, it is going to produce CO2 (as well as other byproducts) at scale, regardless of what material is being manufactured, delivered and assembled. The sticking point in this case is to consider the material. Let’s look at the following factors:
- Of all materials, what will last longest before needing to be replaced?
- What material requires little to no additional treatment?
- Which choice is able to do the job while using as little of the material as possible?
- What material can be recycled almost entirely?
The answer to all of these questions is not wood and not concrete, but steel.
Wood vs. Steel – the Great Debate
Which is more environmentally friendly: steel frame construction or wood frame construction? A quick Google search on the environmental impact of various building materials is swift to bring wood to the forefront of this great question. In answering, however, the search results focus primarily on wood’s renewability.
However, that perspective is misleading to consumers. The truth is, being renewable is not the same thing as being sustainable. The timber industry likes to remind consumers that for every tree harvested during clear cutting, two saplings are planted in its place.
What they don’t like to acknowledge is that it can take decades before the saplings are ready for harvesting, with the highest value trees being forty-nine years old at harvest.
Now that the ecosystem has been disturbed, the wood harvested, machined, treated, and so on, it’s become a sturdy long-lasting material with countless uses and recycling options…. right? Unfortunately, that too is a myth.
The wood industry stays quiet about how wooden frames, siding, and other items used in wood structures are only single-use. Once a wooden building has reached the end of its life cycle, whether from natural long-term wear or other common challenges of wood frame buildings, like termites or dry rot), there isn’t much to be done with it aside from demolition and/or incineration. That’s due to the fact that treated wood used in the construction industry cannot be recycled. That’s a lot of time and energy for an arguably temporary material.
Our steel trusses, on the other hand, are made from 97% recycled steel, and are substantially recyclable when (or if) they’re ready for a new life.
Steel Buildings Are Sustainable
In addition to literally being the most recycled material in the world, steel is also one of the easiest materials to repurpose. But it will also need to be repurposed a lot less often. Once a steel building is constructed, it will not need to be replaced for a long, long time. This is due in part to steel being wind resistant, fire resistant, durable in the face of natural disasters (like high winds and heavy snow loads) and, of course, immune to the damaging effects of moisture, mold and infestations. The combined durability and longevity of steel construction means that when you purchase a steel building for your property, you’re paying for a material that can do more for less, and be recycled almost in its entirety for years. Talk about sustainable!
Energy efficiency is also a major component in the environmental impact of wood vs. steel construction materials. Over the life of the building, steel requires much less energy to heat, cool and insulate, reducing its residual impact on the environment year over year (and reducing long-term costs for the owner, too … just another of the many steel building benefits we could go on and on about).
Plus, because steel frames are non-combustible, a metal building doesn’t run the risk of being a fire hazard in the same way a wood building would. Imagine the environmental damage that a wood building could cause accidentally, for decades after it’s built! While steel buildings impact the environment upon construction, their environmental impact of a steel structure is largely over at the completion of its construction project. Wood buildings, on the other hand, have the potential to wreak havoc on the environment for as long as they’re standing.
At Worldwide Steel Buildings, we have been creating industrial, commercial, and private buildings using 97% recycled steel since 1983. We are proud to bring our customers the most cost-effective, customizable building solutions in the market (backed up by an industry-leading 50-year structural warranty). For more about how we bring our passion to your project, contact us directly at (800) 825-0316 or request a quote online. We look forward to talking about your metal building project!
The Differences Between Open Web Truss & Rigid Frame Steel Buildings
As you sort through our wide variety of metal building options, you may become overwhelmed with the many options we offer. However, there’s no need to worry! You don’t have to get a civil engineering or structural engineering degree to successfully design and build a structure that stands up to whatever gets thrown at it, from heavy use to high wind loads and snow loads. The experts at Worldwide Steel Buildings can help you from start to finish to make sure you get exactly what you’re looking for in a steel building.
Still, most of our customers like to understand exactly what they’re buying and building. One of the most common questions we get from our customers is about the structural design types available in our building kits, and the frame elements that each is composed of. Specifically, about how to choose a truss design. What are the differences between open web truss and rigid frame steel buildings? How do you decide which roof trusses are right for which type of structure? The answer is different for each customer, but to start, you’ll want to consider the following:
- The use of the building
- Size of the project
- Location of the building
- Weather conditions
- Budget
With those items in mind, let’s take a closer look at these two primary types of truss structure (open web truss and rigid frame) available in our steel buildings to help make your decision clearer.
What Is an Open Web Truss Steel Building?
There are multiple types of truss, and Worldwide Steel Buildings primarily uses an open web steel truss. These are roof framing systems composed of hollow steel truss members which are connected by pin joints. They are plane truss systems, which means all the web members and nodes lie on a two-dimensional plane (opposed to a space truss system, which is three-dimensional).
Our open web truss frame systems are ideal for clear spans up to 225 feet, which makes them a great option for commercial applications. Further, the gambrel truss option provides the look of an agricultural building or barn. Open web truss buildings are good choices for buildings regularly occupied by customers or employees. For instance, buildings being used as:
- Retail stores
- Warehouses
- Sports facilities
- Aircraft hangars
Additionally, we have several designs of trusses and all of them allow installation of insulation, HVAC systems, sprinkler systems, sliding or overhead doors, skylight panels, and many other custom add-ons.
Our open truss building designs don’t require heavy equipment to install the trusses, but don’t be fooled by the easy assembly. This structure is developed and built to your local wind and snow building codes so that they can last through anything. They are made of 100% American steel and pre-punched and pre-welded before delivery.
What Is a Rigid Frame Steel Building?
The rigid frame structure is also made of 100% American steel. It allows for the maximum use of open space for storage and mobility due to the large distances possible between structural elements. This style of building is a good choice for:
- Warehouses
- Manufacturing space
- Churches
- Agricultural storage for large equipment
Like the open truss building, our rigid frame building is perfect for the DIY project or contractor. The pieces come pre-drilled, pre-welded, and with an easy-to-read, step-by-step instruction manual.
Both our open truss and rigid frame building systems undergo structural analysis, are incredibly durable and able to handle the internal forces and external forces that will act on your steel structure. Regardless of the style, we can design a building for your specific needs. We used MBS design software, and all of our buildings are made in an AISC-MB manufacturing facility. Everything from our raw materials to our manufacturing process is monitored by a third-party to ensure the highest level of quality control, which translates into a simple, straightforward steel building assembly process for you.
Which One Should You Choose?
If you’re still unclear which type of steel building is right for your project, the best way to get some clarity is to consult the experts at Worldwide Steel Buildings. We work with our valued customers tirelessly in order to determine exactly what they need in a steel building.
Get in front of increasing material costs by reserving your metal building today! Give our experts a call at (800) 825-0316 or contact us online and tell us about your project. You can also design your steel building online with our 3D Building Designer by clicking the image below.
Pole Barn vs. Steel Buildings: 7 Reasons to Choose Steel Over Pole Barn Buildings
Traditional metal and/or wood pole barn buildings (those raised with no concrete foundation) are suitable for some people who want a quick and easy agricultural building, but many who choose them wind up playing the coulda-shoulda-woulda game when they realize what they could have gotten by choosing a Worldwide Steel Building instead.
If you’re weighing your options, think beyond the basic wood pole barn kits. Consider how much more you get — immediately and into the future — with a metal barn instead.
Check out these seven things you can get with a Worldwide Steel metal building that you can’t get with standard pole barn building construction:
1. Vertical Space (A.K.A. Clear Span)
Based on traditional pole barn construction, a pole barn can only rise so high for the sake of security in certain weather conditions. Even at limited height, it will tend to be more susceptible to the wear and tear of extreme weather.
With a steel building, the sky’s the limit for vertical space. The durability and strength of our steel trusses, girders, and framework offer incredible weather resistance. We like to say Worldwide Steel buildings can withstand anything Mother Nature has to offer.
2. More Roofing Options
With a pole barn, roof options are limited to designs that coordinate with the layout of pole supports. In other words, things can get complicated and expensive if you want to get more creative than a typical pitched shed.
Choosing a steel building with a custom steel frame can give you the roof style you want whether it’s shed, hip, gable or gambrel. Want to throw in some skylights for natural lighting? A steel building can do that, too.
3. Open Floor Plan
The point of adding an auxiliary building is often to meet some sort of storage needs. If this is your main focus for your building, you’ll end up losing a lot of space with interior structural poles in the way. These also make it difficult to navigate large equipment. Prefab steel buildings help to get the most out of your potential storage space because they’re supported by trusses and framework that can create a completely open floor plan — no pesky steel columns impeding your open floor plan.
4. Mezzanine Ceilings
Because of the interference of support poles, it is practically impossible to integrate a mezzanine into a pole barn design.
If you need an elevated area in your structure to oversee work down below, or to create office or lounge space above, a steel building is your best option. Our prefab building kits can support lofted second stories for almost any purpose.
5. Customizable Extras & Add-Ons
Nearly endless extras and add-ons make steel buildings a more attractive option than standard pole barns. For instance, a steel building’s frame can handle the load for free-hanging eve extensions and multiple types of large mechanical garage doors, while a pole barn’s can’t.
These custom features can be used to increase the functionality of your building, while also giving you more options to personalize the overall style of your structure.
6. Longer Lifespan
Here’s where building material really comes into play: longevity. Why spend loads of money on a wooden pole barn building that will rot in the ground or be compromised by termites over the years? A dirt floor and wood post frames have nothing on the concrete floor and high-quality trusses and girts that make up a steel frame building. Choose the stronger option that’s built to last. Concrete piers and sound anchoring increase our steel building’s structural integrity, which means it’ll be stronger and last much longer than a pole barn … and with way lower maintenance costs.
7. Options For Growth
Think expansion may be necessary in the future? You’ll have to tear down that pole barn in order to expand. However, our steel buildings are easy to expand, thanks to the live trusses. This means that instead of starting from scratch in a few years, you can simply build upon what you already have!
So, what are you waiting for? The professionals at Worldwide Steel Buildings are waiting to answer your questions! Give us a call at (800) 825-0316 for more information on our industry-leading 50-year structural warranty and a free quote on your steel building price (here’s a hint — you might be pleasantly surprised by our metal pole barn prices).
Want to try it before you buy it? Take advantage of our FREE 3D Building Designer! Click here to get started.
Top 10 Dream Garage Ideas
Think about your garage. How do you feel? If you’re like most people, you probably feel … uninspired. Sure, your garage keeps your car protected and adds some much-needed storage space to your home, but is it the best garage you can imagine? Doubt it. Usually, our garage makeover dreams stop at a garage organization overhaul. Useful when it comes to storage, sure, but not all that exciting.
What if you could completely customize your garage design to fit your every need? Think beyond a remodel of your current one-car garage and imagine your ultimate garage: the one you would build if you were starting completely from scratch. You can, with Worldwide Steel Buildings.
Our metal garage kits are fully customizable to your unique garage plans, so you can design and build exactly what you want from your new home garage.
To get the design ideas flowing, we’re showing you the top 10 features every dream garage should have.
1. Add Windows
Is your current garage dark, dreary, and depressing? Let the light in with a few windows. Adding windows to your walls or garage doors, or skylights to your roof, will make your building look custom and will offer awesome natural lighting.
2. Fix Up Your Flooring
A concrete floor may seem like the easy choice, but why not amp it up a bit with an epoxy floor? Adding an epoxy coating to your garage floor is an easy way to turn boring concrete into a work of art. These days, a floor coating is also durable, so you don’t need to worry about messing it up if you drop something heavy.
3. Wash Off with a Sink
What happens in the garage should stay in the garage! If you’re constantly tracking grease and grime into your family’s kitchen, adding a sink with some garage cabinets underneath (to store soap and paper towels) can help contain the mess. The ability to wash up where you work will not only keep your garage a cleaner space, but your home as well.
4. Stock Up On Storage
The garage is the top place for clutter to accumulate, but the right garage storage can help. Take a look at an unused garage wall and measure it for cabinets, shelves and hooks. See if you can add to this storage system with a freestanding storage unit for bulkier items. You’ll be amazed at how much difference it makes in your access to stuff you use all the time (while eliminating the eyesore of built up junk).
5. Power Up with Electricity
If you’re not wired for electricity, you’re wasting tons of potential in your space. Most of the tools used for woodworking, fixing up classic cars and generally facilitating a garage workshop need electricity. Add outlets in convenient spaces to expand the opportunity for future electrical needs. Not to mention, without electricity you can’t have these awesome features below…
6. Turn It Up with Audio/Sound
Who says the garage can’t double as a man cave? Install a sound system and flat screen television. Enjoy the big game with the boys, fix up your dream car, and make DIY jobs a breeze by streaming instructional videos, right in your workshop.
7. Lock It Down with Security
You’ve invested in some really cool stuff. Make sure you protect it! Don’t forget to incorporate a security system and install security sensors on your new garage doors and windows. If you want to further control who has the keys to your castle, consider adding a keypad lock to your door with your own personalized security code.
8. Workbench
DIY enthusiast? Install a workbench near your new storage solution. Make it fully functional with a vise and electrical outlets for all of your favorite power tools.
9. Lighting
Windows may improve natural lighting conditions, but some special projects (or those that keep your attention long after the sun has gone down) require special lighting. Add high-quality LED lighting overhead, and dimmers for more lighting options.
10. Keep Your Cool
Working on a project, or having your buddies over to enjoy your new digs, means you will need refreshments. Forget about trips back and forth to the kitchen! Install a refrigerator and keep your cold drinks right where they belong.
When you work with Worldwide Steel Buildings, the custom garage of your dreams is closer than it seems. Call us today for more information (800) 825-0316 or contact us online. We’ll help you find the best steel building kit to meet all of your dream garage needs.
Want to try it before you buy it? Click here and try out our free 3D Building Designer!
The Perfect, Easy-to-Assemble Steel Building Kit for Every DIY Guy
Unsure about building your own steel building? You’d be amazed how easy it can be with a steel building kit from Worldwide Steel! Not only can you save money by choosing to DIY your steel building, but our building kits are designed for easy assembly and are built to last.
Check out how simple the building process is, as well as the other benefits of purchasing a Worldwide Steel Building.
Steel Building Kits Designed for Easy Assembly
If you have the tools and the time, our DIY kits are so easy to assemble. We make it so easy that you can completely forego hiring a contractor. All of the trusses are pre-punched so all you have to do is bolt them together. The purlin and girt clips are also factory-welded to help ease the pains of construction. Even the screws are self-sealing to prevent leaks. All you need are the tools and a little bit of talent!
Afraid to buy it before you try it? That’s ok! Check out our online assembly manual to see if you’re up to the task before committing to the purchase.
Tools Needed to Assemble a Worldwide Steel Building
An additional benefit of choosing a Worldwide Steel building kit is that, outside of a few basic tools – which you most likely already have – everything is included in the kit. This means you’ll have to do less ordering, less traveling to pick materials up, and most importantly, lower costs! Want to see if you’ve got the necessary tools? Click here to see the 4 tools you’ll need, besides your toolbox basics.
How DIY Steel Building Kits Can Save You Money
Not only can you save money by not hiring an outside contractor, but you’ll save time because our DIY building kits come with everything you need, all in one, ready to assemble package.
If you’ve ever had a hand in putting together a building you know one of the great hassles (and costs) is getting all the materials together from many different sources. Luckily, we’ve done the work for you, which means you can skip the additional markup costs and hassle of finding the best deal amongst many different sources.
Ready to get building? Try it before you buy it with our FREE 3D Building Designer which allows you to design and customize your own steel building in just a few clicks! Click the image below to try it out!
How Much Would It Cost to Build a Mini Storage?
It’s a crazy world out there. The economy is uncertain, real estate costs and rent prices keep going up, and wages aren’t increasing at the same rate. These factors combined lead to a couple of different truths: First, many people are downsizing. They may realize they need a smaller square foot house than they’ve been living in. But then, what do they do with belongings they don’t want to part with? Second, a lot of other people are looking for ways to bring in more income and increase their cash flow. The more passive that income is, the better.
One idea? An independently owned self-storage business. Seems like a great idea, right? Fill a need for all the folks downsizing and start making money without many operating expenses beyond the development cost. Especially if you already own property (meaning you don’t have any additional up-front land costs to contend with), a collection of storage units sounds like a pretty great idea.
Still, no small business venture or construction project should kick off without thorough research. If you’re wondering about the average cost to build a mini storage building and turn your property into a mini self-storage facility, Worldwide Steel Buildings is here to get you started:
Assess the Situation
At first glance, the self-storage business may seem like a simple endeavor. After all, unlike most other businesses, there is no product ordering, no inventory tracking or storage, no spoilage or obsolescence issues, staffing and scheduling are minimal, and consumables and product liability are virtually nonexistent. But beware: silent waters often run very deep. Jumping head-first into the self-storage business because it looks easy may cause a bigger splash than you may be prepared to handle.
Make sure you’re educated on zoning restrictions for your property, prepared to handle climate control for your business’s buildings, and are thoroughly versed in occupancy regulations (after all, desperate times call for desperate measures, and the cost of living continues to increase …).
Consider your Budget
Starting a self-storage building business can certainly be cost-effective up front and lucrative beyond that. Done correctly, it can also be pretty simple. We recommend starting modestly, with a limited, easy-to-handle number of single-story self-storage units in a couple of different unit sizes. When your business plan eventually calls for expansion, it will be easy to do so: especially if you choose a metal building kit for your self storage construction.
The building costs of a mini storage facility can vary greatly, but the cost of building a mini storage facility does not need to break the bank. A prefab metal mini storage kit has proven to be among the most economical (not least because its DIY nature will require almost zero additional construction budget), and offers some of the most durable storage building systems around.
Then, once you’ve determined your initial investment (the building kit itself plus limited construction costs), think about what you’ll need to set aside for maintenance and climate control. From there, you can begin to determine market rental rates and how many renters you’ll need to make your storage space business profitable.
Choose the Right Contractor
Worldwide Steel Buildings offers the highest quality storage unit kits at the lowest possible prices. We offer a variety of shapes, sizes and finish options, designed specifically to maximize the use of your individual area.
Make your self-storage project your own by choosing your colors, door types and roof pitches to suit the environment in your area and the storage needs of your potential customers.
Worldwide Steel Buildings works with customers in all fifty states, offering the best steel building solutions for every individual climate and elemental conditions, at the lowest possible mini storage building cost offered by anyone, anywhere! We can handle just about any storage need from private to commercial applications in the most economical fashion available, including open storage units for boat and recreational vehicle storage.
Plus, our metal building kits come with industry-leading, 50-year structural warranties, so you can feel confident your Worldwide Steel Building is a sound investment for today, tomorrow, and many years to come.
Ready to start your new business and get that increased cash flow rolling?
Contact Worldwide Steel Buildings today at (800) 825-0316 to find out more about Worldwide Steel Buildings mini storage packages and get a free quote on your new steel mini storage project.
USA Quality Steel Buildings from Worldwide Steel Buildings
Use a Worldwide Steel Buildings Kit to Erect Your Pre-Engineered Steel Building
So, you’ve decided a steel building might be right for your new expansion. But you still have a lot of questions and don’t know where to turn. Never fear, the experts at Worldwide Steel Buildings are the best metal building manufacturers and provide not only complete, ready to assemble engineered steel building kits, they are available to answer all your questions and/or address your concerns. Just give them a call today at 888-229-9972.
Some Frequently Asked Questions
Questions You Should Ask When Shopping for a Steel Building
Are You Buying from the Manufacturer? Or from a Broker Buying a Building from Whoever has the Cheapest Price That Day?
At Worldwide Steel Buildings, we have designed and built the best metal buildings available for 30+ years. Our highly trained, professional consultants will stay with you through every step of the process; ensuring your Worldwide Steel Buildings project is a complete success that will last for many years to come.
Is the Building You Are Buying Manufactured Using 26 Gauge Steel on 5’ Centers? Or 29 Gauge Steel with Framing on 2’ Centers?
This is how a Worldwide Steel Building kit compares with our competition:
- 26ga on 5′ centers live load approx. 22 PSF Worldwide Steel Building 29ga on 2′ centers live load 108 PSF
- 26ga on 5′ centers wind load approx. 30 PSF Worldwide Steel Building 29ga on 2′ centers Wind load 144 PSF
Is the Manufacturer Using Galvalume? Or a Lower Quality Galvanized Steel?
At Worldwide Steel Buildings, we offer a full 40-year warranty on painted panels.
Is the Warranty the Typical 1 year Offered by Most Brokers and Manufacturers?
At Worldwide Steel Buildings we offer the best metal buildings and the best structural warranty in the industry; a full 50 years!
Is the Building a Complete Bolt up System? Or are You Required to do Field Welding?
A Worldwide Steel Buildings kit is completely bolt & screw together system, eliminating the need for any on site welding.
To get answers to all your questions, and learn what other questions you need to ask, contact WorldWide Steel Buildings today at (800) 825-0316. Let’s get started on your steel building project. The building you build today should be designed and built to serve you for many tomorrows.
The Truth About Steel Building Durability
When you look at an old home, the design and architecture are probably the first things that jump out at you. The intricate detailing and now-quirky components are often beautiful, sometimes strange and occasionally just baffling. But sure enough, the durability and lifespan of the property are always what we find most impressive. After all, if the structural integrity of the building wasn’t there, the beautiful details would have disappeared decades ago. It’s the historic construction and solid building material that allows these buildings to stand the test of time.
You’ve heard people say “They don’t make them like they used to,” I bet. Changes in our economy, technology, priorities and culture have led to definite differences (read: low-quality workmanship and cheap construction materials) in many of today’s mass-produced buildings. And it’s sad but true. Traditional construction today compared to traditional construction 100 years ago is certainly lacking. Is it still possible to erect a beautiful, thoughtful wood building today? Absolutely. But it won’t be quick and it definitely won’t be cost-effective. But don’t give up! There are new building techniques and building designs available that are always durable (even backed by a one-of-a-kind warranty that guarantees them to stand strong for 50 years, even when put up against harsh working conditions and extreme weather) and attractive, and are also quick to build, cost-effective and low-maintenance.
We are speaking, of course, of metal and steel buildings. Unfortunately, some people are wary of the durability and strength of steel structures, primarily due to their ease of construction and low cost. They assume that because steel framing can be erected quickly and relatively inexpensively, it’s likely to fail just as quickly. But the exact opposite is true — metal structures give you the best of all worlds. You get the strength of steel combined with the value and ease of prefab, precision-fit framing systems.
Steel buildings are made of the strongest metals on earth, and are designed in a way that allows the building to stand up to absolutely anything you could throw its way: they’re fire resistant, impermeable to termites and other pests, not prone to corrosion or water damage, dependable in the face of high winds and natural disasters, and provide excellent energy efficiency. When all these benefits combine, they add up to a building that can last just as long as the antique homes we admire today.
At Worldwide Steel, we’re strong, vocal proponents of this and many, many other benefits of steel buildings. And why wouldn’t we be? The more proof of quality you have, the more confident you can be. Seeing these buildings in action is enough to calm any nerves. This is why our steel and metal building kits come with a 50-year structural warranty directly from the manufacturer. It is our promise that your building will be designed and manufactured to meet your specific building codes and withstand the test of age, whatever that may include.
Metal buildings also offer better sustainability than wood framing materials (yep, really!) and unmatched versatility, perfect for everything from outdoor storage to residential homes. Steel buildings are ideal for all sorts of needs, from barns and stables to garages, workshops and commercial buildings. The steel buildings are available in a wide variety of sizes and designs, functioning as commercial and residential properties just as easily as an airplane hangar.
Whatever building projects you’re considering, a metal or steel building kit can meet your purposes and meet them well. When you opt for a metal building, you know you are finding a budget-friendly solution to your building needs—one that will last a lifetime without issue.
For more information about Worldwide Steel building systems, construction processes and midwest-manufactured materials, give us a call at (800) 825-0316 or request a quote online.
Heavy Snow Load and Steel Buildings
The headlines are in. For most of the country, 2016 started off as one of the harshest winters to go down on record, with record snowfall that meant most of the Northeast was stuck under several feet of snow for days on end. While the year’s opening blizzard only shed snow on a handful of states, the harsh winter weather is not as limited. From coast the coast snow has fallen, and the farther north you go the more severe that snowfall becomes. Even the southern United States received a light layer of snow, accompanied by harsh winds and icy temperatures that don’t usually fall that far south of the Mason-Dixon Line.
What Snow Means for your Building Needs
This high level of snow fall means a lot of different things, including the potential for ice on the road that can mean incredibly dangerous driving conditions. One risk that is particularly stressful to many people throughout the northern states is the build-up of snow on the rooftops, as this can create a heavy pressure that puts your building under undue stress.
If your building isn’t strong enough to stand up to the snow, then you could be facing a roof cave-in or even greater structural damage.
The good news is that steel and metal buildings from Worldwide Steel are built with what it takes to handle the heavy and harsh snow pile-ups required in each area of the country. In fact, it is found that metal and steel buildings may actually be better suited to handling higher snow loads than traditionally framed homes.
When the snow does fall, you want to rest assured that you have the strongest building in the business. This is what Worldwide Steel can offer for you. From small garages to massive work equipment sheds, you can get the confidence you need that you have a solid building that will stand up no matter the weather.
Snow is the heaviest and most dangerous when it is compacted. If you live in a climate where compacted snow could develop, then it is important to take weather precautions under consideration when building your structure. Compacted snow is heavy due to the layers of ice that form in between the layers of snow. Be educated about the weather risks in your area and know what you need your building to stand up against when making your choice of materials. Steel and metal buildings can be used for garages, workshops, and residential and commercial needs, and are easily insulated to make the inside just as comfortable as the outside is sturdy. For more information about metal buildings, contact us.
