PrefabricatedPrefabricated metal buildings comprise of all those buildings that are “assembled” from parts pre-engineered at a factory. From small tool sheds in the backyard to large industrial compounds, these modular steel buildings provide a more economic and eco-friendly construction option that the other conventional alternatives. For this reason, they are growing in popularity at a very high rate.
Modular steel buildings have been around since World War II. Quonset huts were built around lightweight steel frames to provide housing for the members of the US Navy. And even before that, prefabricated metal buildings were being used as storage sheds. After the war, these military huts were sold off to civilians, and became quite popular with them due to their durability and weather resistance. The 1960s saw several Quonset villages across the span of the United States. Later, the technological advances in the computer industry, such as computer-aided software and 3D design software, ushered in a whole new spectrum of design possibilities for metal buildings.
Basic Features of Prefabricated Steel Buildings
|
|
The I-beams are the main constituent of such modular steel building designs. They provide the basic framework of the design -- the primary support for the structure -- and all the rest of the components are fitted into their respective positions in this basic framework. This basic frame can be clearspan, single-slope or modular. Metal buildings can either be straight-walled, such as in most pre-engineered steel homes, or arched, as in carports. The doors, windows, vents, flooring, skylights and all other accessories can be customized at the time of ordering the design, depending upon individual requirements and budgetary constraints. The exterior finish can be left as is, or it can be painted or even styled with stucco, masonry, brickwork and various other surfacing options.
Advantages of Prefabricated Steel Buildings
Prefab metal homes, storage sheds, and various other moderate-to-extensive commercial structures offer several advantages over the more conventional buildings made of bricks and mortar or even wood. Firstly, of course, these metal buildings are a lot more environment friendly than their wooden counterparts, as no trees are destroyed in the process. Secondly, they are highly bug-proof and weather resistant, and are a better construction option in areas exposed to strong climatic disturbances and earthquakes. Besides that, they also cut down on the construction costs considerably, such as expenses related to architectural designs and labor cost. Also, since most of the framework and structure is pre-constructed, the time required for “assembling” prefabricated metal buildings is very less as compared to “building” everything from scratch the traditional way.
Prefabricated metal buildings offer several advantages that cannot be overlooked, but they need research before ordering, just like any other product. What are the site restrictions? What are the budget restrictions? Whether the required industry standards are being followed or not? These questions must be answered. Also, the more complex the design, the higher the cost of these metal buildings. And the cost of wiring, plumbing, air-conditioning and other accessories must also be added to the total cost of construction.