| You’ve finally decided that you need a new | | | | Decide the dimensions of the building you want to |
| building. Maybe you need a new office building as | | | | build, the width, length, and height of the building. |
| your business expands. Or maybe you really have to | | | | Where do you want the doors and windows? What |
| have that indoor riding arena for your horses. Or your | | | | color do you want for the walls, roof, and trim? Are |
| company needs to expand with a new manufacturing | | | | there other steel building accessories you would like, |
| facility. Maybe you just want a nice outbuilding or | | | | such as skylights, cupolas, gutters, and downspouts? |
| barn for storage and other projects. | | | | Do you need insulation for the building? Don’t |
| You’ve heard that steel buildings buildings are | | | | assume that doors and windows, gutters and |
| a great option. You've heard that steel building | | | | downspouts are included. Many times the framed |
| construction can save you time and money, that | | | | openings for doors and windows are included, but not |
| metal buildings go up fast, and since they are | | | | the doors and windows themselves, which are |
| pre-engineered, there are no surprises. They come in | | | | additional. |
| on budget, and are expertly engineered to meet the | | | | Do consider your options for the roof. Do you want |
| local building codes so the building permitting process | | | | a standing seam roof or the screw down roofing |
| is easy. And you can make all the design decisions | | | | system? A screw down roofing panel is the most |
| yourself. But where to start? It’s not as | | | | commonly used panel for metal buildings roofing, and |
| complicated as you think. | | | | if properly installed will give you many years of |
| Here a some steel building buying tips that will help | | | | weather tightness. |
| the novice metal buildings buyer feel confident as a | | | | What about roof pitch? Roof pitch describes the |
| pro. | | | | steepness of the roof slope. The standard roof pitch |
| Do call your local building department. Explain that you | | | | on pre-engineered steel buildings is 1:12. This is the |
| would like to build a pre engineered steel building on | | | | most economical in terms of heating and cooling. |
| your lot and give them the location. Ask whether the | | | | Because the structural steel frames are strong |
| local building codes allow for pre-engineered steel | | | | enough to support the roof, in most cases a steeper |
| buildings. If they do, ask what the applicable metal | | | | pitch is not required, although you may want a |
| building codes are. Remember to ask about | | | | steeper pitch for aesthetic reasons, for example, if |
| “setbacks” and other code | | | | you are building a church, or you like the more |
| requirements that may prohibit the use of prefab | | | | traditional look of a steeper pitch. |
| metal buildings or any building for that matter on a | | | | What about color? Many steel buildings have roofs of |
| given lot. | | | | Galvalume steel, which is a silvery color, and may |
| Don’t make the mistake of thinking that | | | | qualify for Energy Credit under the Federal Tax Code. |
| building codes are standard. Many times the builder or | | | | Some metal building companies have a color option |
| steel buildings supplier will give code information based | | | | for the roof, which allows you to choose from an |
| on the standards in the metal building industry. | | | | array of energy efficient siliconized polyester coating |
| However, there are no standard steel building codes | | | | steel buildings colors that will save you even more on |
| that will satisfy building code requirements across the | | | | energy costs. |
| board. A reputable steel building supplier will make | | | | Do you like the look of stucco, stone, or brick? If |
| sure that the building price they quote incorporates all | | | | you do, make sure the steel buildings supplier can |
| applicable building codes. | | | | provide pre-cast panels or other materials that will |
| Do check the steel buildings supplier with the Better | | | | give the look of wood, stone, or brick to harmonize |
| Business Bureau and the Dunn & Bradstreet | | | | with pre-existing construction, and to satisfy the local |
| report. | | | | codes, which, in some areas of the country do not |
| Don’t be afraid to talk in depth with your | | | | allow for standard metal siding. |
| steel building supplier. Describe in detail what you | | | | Do make sure you are comparing identical buildings |
| want the building for, whether it is for a horse barn, | | | | when comparing pricing. If the price from one steel |
| a church, a warehouse, or manufacturing plant. Make | | | | building supplier seems markedly lower, take a closer |
| sure the supplier understands exactly what the final | | | | look – you may find that what they are |
| use of the building will be. The building use will | | | | offering at the lower price is cutting corners and you |
| influence many design decisions and ultimately the | | | | will get an inferior building in the end. |
| final price. | | | | And don't be fooled by the old saying that all metal |
| Do know exactly what you want before you order. | | | | buildings are the same! |