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Steel structures and buildings have always been used in warehouses, godowns and places where having a wooden structure is not feasible. Steel buildings present many advantages as compared to traditional buildings. This has helped fuel more demand for steel based structures. Steel building basically refers to a steel framework or a metal structure that is commonly used as homes, storage houses, industrial buildings and also in areas where wood cannot be used.
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Being non combustible steel structures provide a high degree of fire retardation properties. A typical design of a steel structure is either a straight walled or arched or curved design. Straight walled steel buildings provide more vertical space clearance than arched types. Stra ight walled steel buildings are generally used in warehouses and factory setups. On the other hand arch type steel buildings are mostly used in places where the storage area needs environmental protection such as high speed winds, snow and hurricane infested geographies. The arch structure by its nature provides excellent aerodynamic properties which helps it to withstand high force winds. The curved design also helps to distribute the load evenly across the base thereby maintaining the structural integrity.The Load bearing capacity of an arch steel building has helped such structures to be widely used in locations with sub zero temperatures and snowy areas.
Advantages of steel buildings :
1 ) Fire Proof - Steel is fire retardant and non-combustible. While on the other hand wood burns easily.
2 ) Strength and Stability - Steel is about 120 times stronger than wood. Steel structures have known to be be standing tall even in events of natural disasters like hurricanes and typhoons.
3) Low maintenance Costs - A steel structure doesn't require any maintenance. Once built the steel structure can go without maintenance upto many years.
4 ) Durability - Steel is more durable than wood. Unlike wood steel doesn't have problems with insect infestation and termites.
5 ) Cost Benefits - Steel structures have huge cost saving advantages when compared to wooden structures. In a properly estimated plan the use of steel can result in savings upto 50%.
6 ) Easy assembly - Nowadays steel buildings are also sold in a easy assembly kits. The assembling and erection of steel structures becomes very easy. Many manufacturers supply ready to use steel building kits. These kits can be assembled quickly and hence reduce the construction downtime.
7 ) High load bearing properties - Due to the use of metal instead of wood. Steel structures have a high load bearing capacity than wood.
Some disadvantages of steel buildings :
1 ) Corrosion - Steel when exposed to air starts corroding. However the corrosion can be prevented by applying a paint cover on the metal surface. Generally rubber based paints are preferred in application as they exhibit better thermal insulation properties than ordinary paints.
2 ) Thermal Index - Steel being a good conductor of heat and electricity conducts heat better than wood. Metal buildings are not preferred in areas having dry and hot climate.
3 ) Electrical Conductivity - Steel is a good conductor of electricity hence steel structures are not used in places where electric isolation is important.
Clearly the advantages of using steel structures outweigh the disadvantages. The bottom line is that steel buildings are cost effective and robust than traditional wooden structures.
Steel Building Companies / Suppliers Reviews
There are a lot of companies that sell ready made steel building kits and buildings. The problem here is to choose which one vendor to choose. Since metal buildings done come cheap and naturally the invenstment is a big one. As a buyer you have to be careful to choose the right vendor. Here is a list of some of them
Absoluterv - This company suppllies ready made steel building kits, carports, garages and building. They have an impressive line up of clients, as they say they have clients like the united states army, the air force and dept of homeland security. The company is based out of Phoenix, AZ. The basic metal building that they sell sells for $ 5595. Here are a few more product details -
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Absoluterv is a GSA contract holder so thats a big plus. To read the complete review click here.
2. Butler Manufacturing - Butler Mfg is based out of Kansas City, MO. The company claims to be the world's largest steel building supplier. Well there is no way we can deny or accept these claims but the company profile looks impressive. Butler has an international presence, it has direct offices in Europe, Japan and Saudi Arabia. So it might be wise to think that they might be indeed world's biggest steel building company. Click here to read more.