The Nuts and Bolts of Metal Buildings

Metal buildings have come a long way since people began to design and construct them. Nowadays, high-tech computers aid in the design and drafting, making the process easier and more creative. Metal buildings are more popular than ever. What Are Metal Building Systems?
Metal buildings are built rock-solid, but not with stone—with metal instead! Contrary to popular belief, these modern metal buildings are not selected from a catalog of standard designs. Instead, designers use state-of-the-art computers to create custom-made designs based of specific dimensions, loading conditions, and materials. More and more companies are turning to metal elements in the construction of their buildings.

All metal buildings contain three elements:
Primary rigid frames
Secondary members (roof purlins and wall grits)
Cladding and bracing

What are Arch Style Metal Buildings?
Arch-style metal buildings have round roofs. This type of design prevents snow from accumulating on top of the metal buildings. They are also built to withstand high winds due to the fact that they do not have eaves or overhangs, in which winds blow against. This offers great protection against destructive hurricanes and tornadoes.

What are Straight Wall Style Metal Buildings?
Straight Wall Style Metal Buildings have an all-metal framework. Many are built in simple rectangle shapes. These metal buildings are usually used for barns, garages, and warehouses.

Why Metal Buildings?
Metal buildings are usually non-commercial buildings. Using metal in the construction of these buildings has many advantages.

Metal Buildings cost around 50-percent less than traditional building materials and techniques.

Although the building may be made from metal, metal buildings can be enhanced with many different components. The exterior of metal building can feature simulated rock, brick, or stucco facades. They can also use different colors of metal, too, to enhance the artistic look of the building. So, in other words, your exterior options are limitless.steel buildings
steel buildings
If you want to build an addition to the metal building, it will not be problematic. Metal buildings are easily expandable.

All metal buildings are durable and long-lasting. They are resistant to rotting, impenetrable to harsh weather conditions, do not attract insects, and will not warp in the heat.

The structures of metal buildings are insulted with fiberglass or rigid boards making them energy efficient. These insulated metal buildings can drastically decease heating and cooling costs for businesses.

Metal buildings can be built in half the time as other construction methods. Businesses that use metal buildings can be up and running in no time.

Where Are Metal Buildings Found?
Metal buildings are found everywhere! You will find that builders have used metal structures to erect non-residential buildings all over the world, such retail stores, automobile dealerships, warehouses, offices and office complexes, churches, schools, strip malls, libraries, and hospitals. You can even see their structural elements in many airplane hangars. It is not as common to see metal buildings as residential houses, but these kinds of buildings to exist.

What is the Metal Building Manufacturers Association?
The Metal Building Manufactures Association (MBMA) was founded by a group of pioneering companies to develop a ground-breaking way of “designing, manufacturing, and marketing buildings.” Since 1956, the MBMA major goal has been to promote the construction and design of metal buildings in the commercial building marketplace. To find out more about the MBMA, visit their web site at www.mbma.com.

Metal buildings are a modern and cost-effective alternative to traditional buildings. No wonder many non-commercial sites are using metal in their buildings’ construction.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Copyright © 2006