More Building For Less Money

I recently participated in a local farm show and a gentleman walked up to me and went over the parameters of a building he was looking to put up for his business.  He wanted a shop area at a certain height with a lean-to off the side at a lower height for a small office and storage area.  One of the main reasons behind the different eave heights was to save money on the building.  The perception was that he would be saving money but in this scenario he would actually be saving money with a larger, full height building. I'm sure you're asking much like he did, how can that be true?  Let's take a look at the variables.

First, let's look at the building geometry.  The span of the main building was 32 feet and the lean-to was only 18 feet for a total span of 50 feet.  For steel building construction a span of up to 90 to 100 feet is relatively economical.  Larger clear spans are definitely possible but the cost of the frame starts to escalate a bit more.  In this scenario with a modest span we can not only make the building costs reasonable but we eliminate the columns where the main building and lean-to join.  We have effectively pushed the structural steel vertical columns to the outer walls of the footprint.  This will also will reduce the weight of steel used for the project which is always a governing factor in the end cost of the building.

The second cost savings comes in the erection price of the building due to the reduced labour hours required.  By eliminating the row of columns and having two horizontal steel members, the crew can now lift in place the entire horizontal beam all at once.  In addition, the need for more time consuming flashings at the high/low junction are eliminated and the roofing panels don't have to be cut and installed at shorter lengths.

Lastly let's take a look at the end result within the building.  With the office and storage room height lower than the eave height, we now have created a mezzanine space above that can be used for further storage.  The shop space in this scenario is going to be unheated so there are no additional costs for heating for example.  It depends on the size of the building but if they were to heat and/or cool the space, the additional load on the equipment might not be substantial.  I've mentioned it in other articles, but insulating a building always makes good business cents regardless on whether or not the building will be heated.

When you take the time to review your building needs versus the building cost, make sure to consult an expert in the metal building industry to see how to maximize the building and possibly reduce other related costs.  A good professional has the experience to think outside of the box...the steel box that is!

Steel Buildings...The New Barn 2.0

When steel buildings or pre-engineered buildings first became popular in the 70's, the building options were few and the cost was considerably higher versus a pole barn. Over the past four or five decades; however, through streamline fabrication, technology advancements, and updated code requirements, steel buildings are being used in many applications including agricultural and small recreational.
Manufacturers like Marco Steel Buildings offer everything from do-it-yourself kits for backyard sheds, all the way to full size buildings that house recreational vehicles and farm equipment.  Typically pole barn construction was used for these type buildings with the structure made of wood, the walls were clad with metal siding and the roof was either metal or asphalt shingle.  The barn builders were essentially buying a a building package from the local lumber yards including the sliding doors and windows.
Today, the consumer has more choices and can have all the accessories and options from the steel building manufacturers as their counterparts from the lumber yards, if not more. The steel buildings offered today are a modern version of the pole barn...consider it a Barn Version 2.0!

Designing a Steel Building is Like Ordering a Pizza

Back in the seventies and eighties ordering a steel building (or pre-engineered metal building system) was similar to ordering a combo meal.  When it came to selecting bay spacings, frame widths and eave heights, increments were predetermined to adjust your needs to fit the manufacturers offerings.  It was definitely a downfall versus a conventionally built building.

Those days are in the rear view mirror and have long passed.  Today you can order a building from Marco Steel Buildings customized to suit your specific needs.  The pre-engineered steel building industry has evolved to where you can select the dimensions right down to the inch.  In addition you can select various roof and wall profiles, insulation facings, roof slopes, wall liners and accessories like walk-in doors and windows.

Give the team at Marco Steel Buildings a call or email to select the "toppings" you would like on your steel building pizza!

Insulating your steel building makes cents!

As the fall temperatures start to drop, steel building buyers across the country start to put stock into placing insulation in their upcoming building proposals.  The fact of the matter is, the addition of insulation to a building not only helps keep the cold out in the winter months but it also helps maintain comfortable temperatures inside the building during the summer months.  By simply adding 3" (R10) of insulation you will be able to prevent condensation from forming on the inside of your steel building through the dog days of summer when the heat and humidity are at their worst. For a minimal investment in the purchase of insulation, you can further protect the goods and materials you've purchased with your hard earned money.

Let's use the practical example of a storage garage to further explain the insulation advantage.  Often times these steel utility buildings store seasonal recreational items like RV's, boats, yard equipment, utility fridges and muscle cars.  The building's purpose is simple....protect these items from the weather elements and keep them safe and secure from theft.  An insulated building will actually give you a third advantage....it can help in protecting and extending the battery lives and other mechanical parts in those items during those extreme temperature shifts.

Another advantage that is rarely considered....resale value.  Statistics already show, that the resale value of a steel building is higher than a wood pole barn for example, but how about expanding the usability of a utility building for a potential buyer in the future.  When you originally purchased the building your need was simply extra storage and so you catered the building design to suit your needs.  You considered the advantages of installing insulation but thought against it since you were simply storing the lawn tractor and some other miscellaneous items in an unheated space. Fast forward some years, and now you're looking to sell the property and you have an interested buyer that's looking to make your steel building a heated hobby shop.  By adding insulation you would have not only made it attractive for the potential buyer, but you would have also made it very simple to upgrade the building to suit their needs with the addition of a heater.  Keep in mind that insulation can always be added later, but adding the insulation in the beginning means that you can lay the insulation blankets in between the wall girts and siding which creates a thermal break and eliminates cold transfer at that connection point.

When designing a steel building, consider your present and future needs when looking at options like insulation because sometimes a minimal investment, can maximize savings in the future.

Our New "At Your Service" Blog

Welcome to the new Marco Steel Buildings Blog!  Here you'll be able to keep up with the latest news and information regarding our company and check out what's trending in the steel industry!  You can always contact us directly by email and phone with any questions you may have.  We are at your service!