Metal Information Center

Beginning a Steel Building Project

December 8, 2007 – 7:38 am

Before you start on any steel building project you need to investigate all of the opportunities and options available to you. There are a number of considerations during this process. This article can help you in preparation for your project before you start.

The first step in the process is to determine your specific needs. There are no two steel building projects that are exactly the same. They range from small suburban hobby shops catering to the “do-it-yourselfer” to massive sports complexes covering many acres. You need to decide what the specific requirements will be for your particular project.

Obviously, no steel building is a “one size fits all” proposition. If you need to build a new church you will likely need a clear-span (unobstructed) layout for your interior. In this case, interior support columns would be detrimental to the intended use of the building. However, if you are building a manufacturing facility and interior support columns are not a problem, a less expensive multi-span building may fit your requirements. It is important to think about how you will be using the building before proceeding on your project.

The next consideration is how much space you will need. Adequate interior space requirements are crucial for your building’s performance ability. You do not want to quickly grow out of your building. Factoring in an additional 10-15% of space may be a wise move. Expanding a steel building can always be done later but considering future growth of your business now can be a prudent and cost-saving process in the long-run.

The specific dimensions of your building need to be decided on including the height. The clearances involved for vehicles and machinery are crucial in order that access into and out of the building will be unencumbered. A minimum of two feet above the maximum access height is required for the eave height. In other words, if you need a fourteen foot clearance, a minimum of a sixteen foot eave height is required. The sizes and quantity of doors required should be carefully thought out.

The budget for your project also needs to be determined. You do not want to be half way through your construction process only to find out that you don’t have enough money to complete your building. A very limited budget may require you to purchase a smaller building that you can add on to later. Buying a cheaper building is not the solution as so called “economy” buildings can be a maintenance and repair nightmare in the future. Doors, windows, and insulation and other accessories do not normally come with a base building purchase. Budget accordingly for these additional items.