The benefits in purchasing a steel building derive mainly from the strength of the construction material itself - steel - combined with the sound construction processes used to erect an I-Beam system.
Adding together the steel construction processes and the pre-fabricated components chosen adds three main advantages to choosing a steel building. First, the cost of a steel building is considerably less than traditional building methods and can save you 30% or more on the steel structure alone versus a similar sized conventional structure. Labor costs are also substantially reduced because most steel buildings are pre-welded, pre-punched, and pre-drilled at the factory. A steel building can be erected fast, another major advantage, and the building can be operating for business in forty five to ninety days instead of the many months involved in conventional construction. The durability of a steel building is another advantage and the low maintenance required along with no need for repainting year after year can minimize upkeep costs for the twenty to fifty year life of the building. This, of course, is dependant on the quality of the steel building chosen.
A steel building project will proceed, generally, with the following schedule. The design of the building comes first. The dimensions of the building (length, height, and width) need to be determined. The type of roof and any interior walls also needs to be decided on. Along with these considerations comes the door and window placements and any exterior enhancements such as facades.
Engineering is the next phase in the steel building project process, following receipt by the supplier of a deposit for the building. An engineer will plan the blueprints and specifications. This process will specify what materials are to be used along with the loads (wind, snow, seismic, etc.) to satisfy the particular building codes where the steel building will be erected.
The fabrication or production of the steel building begins once the blueprints have been signed off on by the buyer. The entire building is created at the factory. All parts are pre-drilled, pre-punched, and pre-welded at the factory to exact specifications.
The steel building is then shipped to the construction site and is ready to be bolted together. This process can take from four to seven weeks.
The steel building site work should be accomplished while the building is still being fabricated in order to allow the erection process to proceed once the building is delivered. It is highly recommended that a poured concrete foundation be used under any steel building.
As soon as the foundation is ready and the building materials arrive, the building can be constructed.
All finishing processes such as adding insulation, exterior facades, doors, windows, etc. are now added to fully detail your building to the specific design.
The process for your steel building project is completed by a building inspector walkthrough for final approval.