You've decided to build a pre-fabricated metal building.
You've made an excellent choice. From Industries That Use Crane Buildings to farms, and the power industry to manufacturing facilities, are all finding the benefits of investing in metal buildings. Not only are they an affordable option that can lower energy costs, but these functional spaces offer a wide variety of modern designs.
However, your work has only just begun.
The biggest decision is out of the way. Now, there are countless other decisions you have to make for the design process of your steel building.
You have to decide where you're going to build, how big it's going to be, how eco-friendly it's going to be, and how you're going to insulate it, among many other things. If you don't want your prefab metal building to look like a metal garage, it doesn't have to.
Deciding which customization options, architectural features and other components will be included in your steel building system ultimately comes down to functionality and aesthetic appeal.
For example, you can choose paint for your roof that will make it look good, while also repelling sunlight and lowering your energy bills.
You will also need to decide what you'd like to do with the exterior of your metal building.
You can leave it as is and pick a color you'd like, or you can choose from a variety of siding materials that will make up the exterior walls of your steel building.
In the article below, we'll explore some of the most common design choices, along with what is popular now.
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Corrugated Metal Siding
One of the more common and most popular options is corrugated metal siding.
Most metal buildings you come across will be made of 26 gauge metal siding.
It's easily installed, and it can be painted almost any color you can think of.
And perhaps most importantly, 26 gauge siding is the strongest option available and can withstand even the most powerful storms, giving your metal building another layer of durability.
Steel buildings with corrugated siding have survived storms like Hurricane Katrina, Maria, and Sandy.
If you're looking for strength and durability, this is it.
GenStone
Not everyone is in love with the look of the metal siding.
And sometimes, the traditional look of a metal building doesn't match the landscape or meet municipal requirements.
You have more options.
One option that is becoming an increasingly popular choice is GenStone.
GenStone provides an authentic stone, rock, or brick look at a fraction of the cost of traditional masonry work.
GenStone is easy to install and comes as a combination of panels and accessories.
Each GenStone panel is hand-painted and can be installed by anyone with the necessary carpentry skills.
It can be ordered through big-box retailers, like Lowe's and Home Depot.
The ease of installation, the upscale look of the stone, and the cost make GenStone a very popular option for the exterior of pre-engineered metal buildings.
Stucco
Many of the most impressive metal buildings you'll come across opt for stucco walls instead of the traditional metal building siding.
There are three ways to use stucco for the exterior of your building:
Stucco Flex
This is an economical option that utilizes a spray-on stucco that provides the look of stucco without breaking the bank.
It's applied directly over the siding or boards if you want a flat look.
Insulated Stucco Panels
These panels provide a generous insulation R-Value for your metal building, as well as the rugged stucco finish.
You'll install the panels just like you would typical building siding, and they're also available in a variety of colors.
Traditional Stucco
If you opt for a stucco finish that is common on residential structures, your steel building walls can be left open for construction by others.
Sometimes this will require a spandrel beam, which will increase your costs.
Wood Siding
As you've probably figured out, if you don't want the ordinary sheet metal siding on your steel building, you can opt for something else.
You can even reap the benefits that a pre-engineered steel building provides while also having the look of a traditional wooden structure.
Shiplap siding can be applied to your pre-fab metal building in the same way you'd apply traditional stucco.
You leave the perimeter open for construction by others.
Combining Siding Options For Your Steel Building
There's no need to settle for just one option, either.
It's not uncommon to combine options like GenStone and Stucco or traditional metal siding with stucco to match your company's aesthetic touch.
Combing siding materials in this way will create a compelling mixture of textures as well as a professional appearance for businesses that need curb appeal to attract customers.
Planning Is Key
Now that you've decided to use a pre-fab metal building for your new structure, it's time to plan the rest of the building.
Your metal building system can feature just about any siding material you can dream of, but it's important to plan ahead. With all the choices you have for your metal building, the siding you choose can help enhance the curb appeal that makes your business stand out without expensive landscaping elements. However, colorful flower beds add a personal touch and help create a welcoming, comfortable environment.
The company you're using to build your metal building will need to know upfront what type of siding you prefer.
This will enable them to work with your budget to help you decide what's best.
Your building partner plays a crucial role in the process, and so it's important you partner with a knowledgeable team.
Whether you've just decided to purchase a steel building kit, or you've already started planning how you'd like it to look, CDMG is proud to be a top-tier metal building manufacturer and is ready to help.
With years of experience, they can work with you from start to finish to make sure you get exactly what you need in your pre-engineered steel building.
Click the link below for CDMG to help turn your steel structure plans into a reality.
Check Out Our Other articles:
5 Of The Most Popular Steel Building Types
Avoid These 7 Mistakes When Constructing Your Metal Building
I'm Ben Sparhawk, the Content Writer and Marketing Account Manager for CDMG. I write to showcase the work that CDMG does and everything related to the pre-engineered metal building industry as well as their engineering capabilities. When I'm not working on content, you can find me spending time with my wife and children. You can also find me in the gym, trying to better myself, and I also enjoy spending time outdoors hiking or checking out local parks.