Metal structures are far from a “new” construction trend. In fact, the first-ever metal building dates back to , a last-ditch effort for a British cotton industry desperate to prevent mill fires.
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But today, major corporations are turning to steel buildings more than ever. Owners love them for their fireproof materials, lower maintenance costs, and eco-friendly designs.
The steel building industry is growing along with it, offering near-endless opportunities for business owners looking to build new.
That leaves you with a big decision to make:
Will a standard box design fit your needs?
Or does your company need a more complex, customized metal structure?
The guide below will compare custom and standard metal buildings to help you decide!
Standard metal structures bring a simplistic, boxy design to small-to-medium metal commercial buildings.
Given their limited space and barebones structures, they work best for companies that don’t require a big or flashy building.
But they’re also more cost-effective than custom buildings. These so-called “steel boxes” run a lower price tag due to their default designs and smaller sizes.
It’s also true that added features on standard buildings are far and few between. As a result, there’s very little wiggle room for add-ons like canopies, solar panels, and other nice-to-have accessories.
Luckily, most manufacturers do allow for slight customizations at the structural level, such as:
They also offer unlimited potential for building length, so yours can be as long as necessary.
With that in mind, standard metal structures are the perfect solution for:
Now, let’s briefly review their custom counterparts.
Custom metal structures are those designed to suit a company’s specific day-to-day and industry needs.
Though they take longer to engineer and may drive up the price tag, they offer far more design options. A 300-foot clear span, roll-up doors, custom framing, overhangs, and a gable roof are all up for grabs.
And that’s just the beginning on the features front.
There’s no longer a need to settle for an undersized 30-by-30 box that your company will either outgrow or find useless within a few years.
These days, your final custom design could include:
That’s precisely why these massive one-of-a-kind buildings thrive as:
Below, we’ll dig even deeper, comparing custom and standard metal structures to decide once and for all which one is best.
Given their towering size and industrial feel, metal buildings are ideal in commercial construction, not residential. Homeowners eyeing non-traditional structures are better off with prefab steel building kits for their carports, lean-tos, RV covers, and small metal barns.
But for the business execs debating whether a custom or standard structure is a better investment, here’s some info:
The devil, of course, is in the details.
Although their size and purposes are quite different, these two large-scale building options share a lot of the same traits:
The common threads between each of these?
High-end structural integrity, modernized construction principles, and incredible workmanship.
Now, onto the differences …
Both custom and standard builds include the same basic elements:
There’s also plenty of flexibility when it comes to roof pitches, eave heights, and building width/length.
Generally, standard metal building systems are a simple and economical choice for small retail centers, offices, and auto shops.
However, if your building needs a more aesthetic or functional touch with:
… your chances of finding that in a standard box design are slim to none.
Unless you plan to upsize in a few years, a custom design is almost always better.
By now, you might already know that commercial steel structures are more budget-friendly than your classic wooden building.
So how much do they cost?
PriceItHere suggests that basic steel structures cap out at around $16–$20.25 per square foot. At $40, custom metal buildings are nearly double.
It’s a huge difference … on day one.
Yet, while custom steel buildings come with higher upfront pricing, they’re more reliable long-term investments for your company.
Assuming you met with a metal building specialist, your company inspired the design of this building. It has a canopy by the front door to greet customers in downpours, floor coating that protects against spilled chemicals, and insulation with a high r-value for even better energy efficiency.
The chances of needing an eventual expansion are lower with a custom build.
The physical size of the metal building is where standard structures have an unexpected edge.
Sure, they can be as long as you want, stretching from one end of the commercial lot to the other without any extra reinforcements. Yet, their 150-foot-plus widths make them excellent options for companies that need an interior without columns.
This wide-open alternative is still structurally sound and better for airplane hangars, barns, and buildings housing heavy machinery. The last thing you need is a forklift or dump truck knocking into a support beam.
Custom buildings support slightly larger clear spans of up to 200 feet. But, their real claim to fame on the size front is the extra square footage and higher ceilings.
With interior columns, your steel building could extend up to 480 feet long. And, their 40-foot-plus eaves (ceilings) provide a little extra room for multi-story shelving units and bulk manufacturing machinery.
Over 50,000 square feet of fl0or space isn’t unusual in custom builds!
It protects your expensive machinery from rain and snow, and when it’s made of metal instead of asphalt, it’s reflective enough to cut your heating and cooling bills in half.
But did you know that the roof’s style and pitch make a difference, too?
Most standard metal buildings boast somewhat slanted gable <4:12 roofs, lending to a boxier, industrial design and decent snow and water spill-off.
Custom builds deliver far more plentiful options, especially if you’re building in a rainy or snowy region.
A steeper slope (8:12+) lowers the risk of water and snow build-up on the roof to prevent future leaks. Traditionally wind-resistant hip roofs are also available on custom designs.
Because the structural fundamentals remain the same, both types of steel buildings are equally durable and well-crafted.
Assuming you chose a reliable construction company, your new commercial structure will be made of heavy-duty I-beams, trusses, fasteners, and panels.
It should also be:
If durability is your main concern, it’s a toss-up. Both standard and custom metal buildings are built to last.
Interestingly, warranty terms depend more on the construction company you hire than the type of building.
Many manufacturers offer a one-year warranty on workmanship, a 50-year promise on trusses, and a lifetime guarantee on fasteners.
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However, customizations are a slightly different story.
Your choice of exterior paint could secure you a 25 to 45-year warranty. If your company prefers a barely slanted gable roof (<4:12), you might not qualify for a snow load warranty at all.
In the construction world, “lead time” is the technical term for “how long it’ll take to deliver your materials from the time you place your order.”
As you might expect, standard box designs also have quicker turnaround times due to their smaller size and simplistic designs.
So how long can you expect to wait?
Small storage buildings can take as little as six weeks, whereas larger manufacturing plants and data centers could take more than 16 weeks.
Many large corporations have enough funding in their budgets to purchase a building outright. Yet, growing companies might not be able to afford a 30,000-square-foot metal building.
But is it completely out of reach?
Not exactly!
Smaller metal structures offer flexibility that’ll be like music to the ears of those in your company’s financial department:
The rent-to-own option (or RTO).
Think of it as paying the mortgage on a house. With each monthly payment you make on time, you’re slowly inching toward complete ownership. Plus, these deals often come with instant approval!
Keep in mind that many companies cap this RTO at $10,000–$20,000 in total. Unfortunately, that leaves you with slim pickings for size and features. You’ll see this option more for smaller garages, barns, and hangars.
Business higher-ups don’t only think in the present — they also weigh how today’s decisions will impact the company in the long run. That’s why the topic of potential resale value comes up.
When you decide to upsize or relocate in the future, will you recoup what you initially spent on this building?
The good news:
Steel buildings, in general, maintain high resale values because they last a lifetime, require far fewer repairs, and are eco-friendly.
The bad news:
Custom metal buildings don’t always fly off the market.
If it’s a cut-and-dry storage facility, sure, finding another self-storage company willing to invest in it won’t be too challenging. But more company-specific customizations could limit potential buyers.
If your budget allows and your company has a long-term vision, a custom metal building is a better investment in most cases.
But if everything so far still hasn’t convinced you, this just might:
Custom buildings allow more opportunities to match your building to your brand.
If you want the public to recognize your company’s buildings by their red exterior paint and iconic black roofs, custom builds are your best option!
Custom metal buildings offer plenty of perks in the ROI arena, too:
The more use your company gets out of the building, the more those upfront costs become worthwhile.
It’s also a one-time investment; choose the right custom design now, and you won’t have to worry about wasted resources or replacing your building in a few years.
If you’ve ever rented a business facility or purchased a previously owned building in the past, you know first-hand how bittersweet it is.
Sure, it’s more affordable, and the lead time is practically non-existent. Yet, it only has some of what you need and a lot of what you don’t.
You’re paying more out-of-pocket for unnecessary skylights and 10,000 square feet of floor space that sits empty. It could also be missing a reliable HVAC system or a steep roof to prevent rain from building up.
Custom builds guarantee the most bang for your buck.
Piggybacking off of that previous point, a custom build allows you to erect a structure that fits all of your criteria:
That means your company has the creative liberty to select:
With a standard metal structure, you’re stuck with whatever the building manufacturer includes in the package.
Metal structures are leaps and bounds above traditional wooden buildings. Yet, custom building designs are almost always better for corporations envisioning a long-term investment and appropriate branding.
A custom steel building kit has the advantage of flexibility. The kits include the roof, structural framings, and the walls. You are free to design the interior in a way that suits your needs. For an organization or industrial structures, the unfinished and open layout is the best. For residential and commercial buildings, the interior design depends on several factors.
Remember to apply for a local authority permit before focusing on the metal building’s interior part remodeling or construction. The metals’ manufacture is on custom design jigs. The kits fit into each other. You will receive the metal kits that are ready for assembling.
You only need to align the sections and establish the building using your hardware and materials. The kits may arrive with an assembling guide and crucial components. These kits have made the construction cost-effective in terms of labor, faster and simpler.
Versatility is an added advantage to the steel materials. You solely have a decision to make on the lofts, exterior finish, colors, and dimensions. Once you complete the construction, you can customize it through bathrooms, living spaces, and bedrooms. Modern business buildings come in any size and shape. Whether you need an office, brewery, repair facilities, golf cart barn, or a warehouse, steel buildings will make your wish fulfilled.
We have the best offers in the market. Our objective is to ensure our clients are satisfied with our product and services. Our steel kits are more robust and last longer.
The kit is beneficial because of the framing’s strength. There are clear-span capabilities of up to 200 feet. Frame makes it possible to design the interior part according to your needs because walls bearing loads are unnecessary for the span. Steel is superb in developing the inner walls and partitioning.
Steel is superior and durable as compared to traditional materials like woods. If you use steel to construct your building, you will be comfortable knowing that the structure will be there to last. Our facilities are suitable for warehouses, manufacturing centers, landscaping, repair garages, and mechanics.
If you choose steel, you will save money on the cost of repairs and maintenance. Steel is resistant to damage caused by pests and moisture. Steel is structurally sound. Additionally, it can withstand adverse weather conditions, including ice loads, winds, and snow.
Metal is highly conducive to heat. As you finish the construction of the interior design, think about insulation. It’s an addition to the exterior walls and in the attic helps keep comfortable internal temperature. Insulation minimizes condensation within the structures. Insulation saves the cost of cooling and heating. Fiberglass, spray foam, and foam board are among the materials that may act as insulators in the steel building.
Fiberglass is the most affordable and popular for insulating homes and industries. It will protect the steel from corrosion, dust, and mold because it is non-absorbent. For buildings with traditional design, insulation occurs within the studs. However, for the metal structures, insulation covers the whole frame to allow for continuous coverage.
For you to achieve a high R-value, consider filling the cavities using more straightforward options that promote saving. Fiberglass is a high-quality material. Metal building kits and steel are energy efficient. Proper insulation both outside and inside leads to energy efficiency over a long period. Apart from insulation, remember to consider paints and flame-retardant primers for the internal surfaces.
If you are in love with modern looks created by the partitioning walls, you may decide to have them exposed. We have finishes, textures, and various colors that will assist you in designing the interior portion to suit your interests. It is easier to clean the metal panels than traditional construction materials. You will be able to save on the upkeep.
Are you in need of a traditional blend in the internal part of your metal building? Well, you can finish the framed walls with conventional materials or drywalls. You will not have to sacrifice traditional aesthetics for the durability of the material. It is crucial to inspect the lighting system, fire protection devices, plumbing, and wiring before finishing the walls.
Consider ordering straight column rigid mainframes and not the tapered ones, which are less expensive. Tapered columns widen at the eave height and narrower in meeting the foundation. They are spacious and less costly. However, it is not suitable for the sheeting of the interior wall. Consider applying hat channel to secondary supports. Girts enable you to screw in the internal surfaces of walls.
Tapered columns would probably result in slanted walls at the door. Irrespective of whether you decide to install plywood or drywall, ensure the bottom edges are off the floor. Apply the right channel to affix the chosen material. It has to be flame retardant and satisfy the fire codes.
You will choose the ceiling based on your preference. Selecting the best roof for a commercial building is an uphill task. Most business environments love the suspended ceiling system. The void overhead allows for wiring, plumbing, air conditioning, and heat distribution. There are numerous options for the modern ceiling. Here are the factors to consider when choosing commercial roofs:
To obtain a modern metal building, consider exposing the steel beams. If you walk into any office, brewery, or restaurant, you will notice exposed beams. These beams open up the interior of a building, presenting an industrial and modern look. Exposed steel beams invite transparency into space while appreciating the building’s structural aspect.
Exposed steel enlightens the public on how a building operates. Through the beams, you get a sense of the building’s depth. They make the whole space loft-like and open. Attracting the younger generation of human resources is an effect too. The younger team members are always excited about the hip office environment. The exposure gives a unique feeling to the space.
Through exposed beams, the designers and architects draw attention to the construction itself. Pre-engineered metal construction provides the architects with a cost-effective alternative and a function. You obtain the necessary spans and height at a cheaper cost. Design benefits for exposed beams include its expression and more information on the structure of the building.
Ceilings are attention-drawing, and a well-installed drop ceiling is a feature in a room. It is a low-cost option for ceiling requirements. Drop ceiling hides the cables, utility pipes, and services in the void allowing repairs and maintenance access. Precautions should be enhanced so that drop ceilings do not resemble the commercial ones. The benefits of drop ceilings are easy installation, soundproofing, and concealing of duct-works, wires, and imperfections.
Fiberglass is among the insulators of the drop ceilings. Drop ceilings achieve soundproofing by blocking external noise or noise originating from the rooms above. For practicality and primary buildings, drop ceilings are the best as long as you satisfy all the construction requirements. It would help if you handled the roof should be handle with utmost care. They are not as strong as the traditional.
After the completion of ceilings and walls, you need to install the floor. You can select from the various flooring options available. Whether carpet, tile, laminate, wood, or others. Some of the modern, durable flooring ideas include:
Having a business building is a great move. Conventional structure is often expensive. The best way is to customize the steel building. Whether looking forward to developing newer office spaces or in need of retail location, we have metal building kits that will serve your needs. Even if you need factories, manufacturing facilities, or warehouses, our construction consultants will help you customize and come up with the most economical layout.