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materials that are best for building

What Materials are Best for Building?

Wondering what material is better to build with?

Do you want to know what materials will work perfectly to build a distribution center? Whether your distribution center will store a considerable cache or toys or requires extreme measures of organization within its walls, there are a few materials from which you can choose to build the best possible building. We’ve tested several alternatives over the years, and finally, the results are in…Steel is the winner!

An Unbiased Look at Building Material Costs…

Steel Keeps Costs Low

In the US, steel happens to be one of the most readily available materials because it’s prime base is made from iron which happens to be the second most abundant mineral on earth. Steel is also easy to repurpose; it is estimated that up to 60% percent of high-quality red-iron I-beams are made from recycled steel, which makes them incredibly strong and affordable. Not to mention the fact that the price of steel is at an all-time low, it is the lowest in 15 years so now is the time to build.

steel building manufacturer

Speed Though Building Construction

Do you need some space to store all those goods ASAP? Then a steel construction may be your only option as it takes the least time to build. Projects can take as little as a few days to complete, which means that you suffer from little to no downtime, and there is no loss of productivity. Plus, you’ll save in the way of labor costs because it only takes a few people to erect a steel structure. 

The Least Labor Intensive to Build

In the construction industry, labor costs are a major factor, and that’s where steel wins again. Not only do you need fewer people to complete the warehouse building, but it’s done within a shorter time too. Plus the building is cheaper since the entire structure is designed and built off-site by the supplier and the labor just installs everything onsite. So, they don’t pose the same risk as regular construction, and there is a significant insurance saving too because of lower liabilities. 

Easy to Modify

The quickly changing marketplace could mean that you need to add an extension to your warehouse ASAP or even a few years down the line. Here too, steel buildings win because they are easier to modify and expand. You don’t need to demolish the entire structure like you would with brick and wood. Plus the changes are more affordable, costing less than 3x times compared to regular building materials. 

Maximize Your Use of the Space

Owing to the fast nature of steel construction projects, they can be completed within inclement weather. So, you have room for various mitigating factors like making up for an oddly shaped piece of land. Not to mention that since most steel buildings don’t require as many pillars, the amount of space that’s usable is much more compared to brick and wood buildings.  

Conclusion

If you are in the market for an affordable, durable and low maintenance warehouse building, then you can’t go wrong with prefabricated steel buildings. We can also help you choose the right size, shape, and type of building, depending on your requirements.

top reasons why prefab metal buildings are the best

Top Reasons Why Prefabricated Metal Buildings are The Best

It can be hard to make a decision if you know very little about the two or more ideas you are weighing against each other. When it comes to metal buildings, there are many misconceptions and just as many choices though nothing compares to prefabricated metal buildings. 

Below are six reasons why you should choose prefabricated metal buildings.

1.) They Help to Save Time 

Everyone wants to save time and so if you can manufacture a building quickly, then why not? That’s where prefabricated metal buildings ensure that you get the structure up and running in no time. 

Not only are these buildings delivered in the shortest time, but they are also pre-cut, welded, and drilled at the factory, all of which means that you save time during the construction process.

2.) Help to Save Money 

Since metal like steel is inorganic, it is impervious to humidity and changes in the weather. So, you don’t have to spend as much money on things like repairs, money which you save and then pour back into the business. However, you’ll save in other aspects too like almost no maintenance, it is less labor-intensive and hence cheaper to build, cheaper to insure, and you save on energy costs.

3.) Less Hassle to Maintain 

One of the biggest benefits of a prefabricated metal building is that it is maintenance free and so you don’t have to spend time maintaining it a few years down the road. Not to mention the fact that the structure comes with a 25-30 year guarantee, which just goes to show how long you can expect the painted steel panels to continue looking the way they do today. 

Owners also spend less time on mold, setup, repairs, fire, and damaged caused by flooding, which is a win-win situation!

4.) Metal Buildings can Easily be Expanded 

Many people may start out not knowing how much their company or business will grow. That’s why prefabricated buildings are such a good choice because they are easy to expand without the atrocious cost of construction associated with it. All you need is to attach more framing to both sides of the building. So, your building expands with you.

5.) Highly Durable 

Prefabricated metal buildings aren’t just durable, but they can easily withstand something like a fire, animals like rodents and other destructive elements. That is why prefabricated metal buildings offer the best bang for your dollar regardless of how you look at it.

6.) Our Conclusion

Prefabricated buildings are the future in more ways than one. When you choose a prefabricated building, you can be assured that it is cost-effective, durable, and easy to build. You also get a lot more flexibility compared with materials like wood. 

That’s why anyone who wants to build a building that lasts and isn’t much of a hassle to maintain then prefabricated metal buildings are the best choice.

the past and present of barns as we know it

The Past and Present of Barns as We Know It

Barns have been associated with the American way of life ever since the days of Thomas Jefferson. They have continued to be the primary structure for many centuries in farms across the world. However, in the United States, they have continued to represent security, tradition, and a relationship with the land as well as the community. Today unlike in the past agriculture is a multibillion-dollar business which spans all states of America. While barns today serve the same purpose they did many centuries ago, they have fundamentally changed to become more durable and easier to maintain.

To understand how much barns have changed, we examine their past and present in retrospect.

In the Past 

In the old days, barns were added to the land when farmers needed to house livestock, or they wanted to store grain and crops. The materials used to build these structures primarily comprised of wood, i.e., timbers which were sourced from nearby trees which too were available on the farm. Then using mortise and tenon joints, a small team of professional woodworkers would piece the barn together by connecting everything at a 90-degree angle. The construction was simple, but the result was a sturdy and durable structure.

prefabricated steel horse barns and feed storage buildings for agricultural communities

Later on, timber was replaced by “truss framed” also called “plank framed” structured barns. These structures evolved through the 19th century thanks to the extensive proliferation of steam-powered sawmills. Now farmers could easily buy lumber of dimensions which they required. The joints were now connected with bolts or would use machine cut nails. 

Most people, when thinking about these old barns, would often conjure up images of red painted barns. But why were they red? The reason they were red was because it was the cheapest and easily available color around since it was created using ferric oxide. However, the major drawback of this type of barn was the fact that it was flammable, and being stacked with hay almost always meant that they would catch fire the result of which would be a total loss. 

Present Day Barns 

We still see the traditionally built wooden barns in many parts of the world. However, many of the latest barns are also built from steel. There are many reasons why prefabricated steel is the latest most popular choice for building barns. 

For starters, they provide the option to easily expand the barn while the farm continues to grow. They can also withstand mother nature in the form of rain, snow, fire, wind, and earthquakes. 

Prefabricated steel or metal barns are also impervious to pests, termites and other issues. Plus they are more cost effective requiring less time and money to set up as well as maintain compared to wooden structures. 

Conclusion 

Whether it is nostalgia or tradition, barns will continue to be associated with the cultural image of America. However, steel barns or agricultural buildings help farmers save millions each year regardless of where they operate in the US. That’s why they are the most popular choice for farm owners across the country.

religious steel structures

Religious Steel Structures

We have seen churches taking on a unique appearance for many years. The appearance we term as being unique has a lot to do with the construction materials which were used at the time. Hundreds of years ago grand cathedrals were built using thousands of baked bricks while on the other hand you also had small wooden churches built with a tall white steeple, it is these images that for many people have solidified the what a religious building should look like.

Religious Buildings are Affordable for The Flock..

Though it is no mystery that the world as we know it is slowly changing. As the population increases, so does the need to find a more practical and sustainable material. So, we need to use something better than just stained glass windows covering often cramped buildings with rows of pews. Today we have more religious organizations choosing practicality when it comes to their place of worship as opposed to tradition and so they are moving away from the classic or traditional look.

steel church building designs in Alabama

Below are a couple of reasons why steel buildings make the most sense for religious organizations: 

  • Using steel, it is possible to create larger buildings, making them ideal for growing congregations. 
  • Steel buildings are more versatile, and so they can be built anywhere. 
  • You get a lot of space with a steel building as there are no pillars obstructing the view or limiting space, which makes churches more comfortable and spacious. 
  • Steel buildings and in particular pre-fabricated buildings are inexpensive compared to brick and wood. 

How Can Steel Buildings Support a Growing Congregation? 

Well, it can in a number of ways for starters for organizations that have limited funding for a new church a steel building is a lot cheaper to build and maintain. So, it can be built without hesitation. Plus the time to completion is much shorter compared to traditional buildings so you can build an even expand faster than your congregation grows. 

Steel buildings are also an excellent way to make an addition to your existing place of worship. They are easy to construct and can be done onsite while the design can be tailored to any type of space. So, they become the perfect add-on for everything from study rooms to youth groups and pantries. The number of options are virtually unlimited to how the building is designed so it can be adjusted to fit your needs regardless of what they may be. 

Another reason to choose steel building is that they provide the ultimate in security, durability, and safety; after all, a church is seen as a place of refuge. Once churches relied on just brick and wood because that was the only viable building material available. However, as the population grew, many religious groups now need something that’s more practical. So, steel is the material of choice as they are cost effective and quick to put up. You can find out more about steel buildings and what options are available by contacting us today.