A metal building system is just that; a system.
Pre-engineered steel building systems include four different types of steel framing designed to work together.
The typical steel red-iron wall columns and ceiling pieces attach to form the frame of the building in the primary system.
The secondary framing of a prefabricated building connects across the bays with self-drilling screws for lateral support.
The third part of the metal building system is the end wall framing.
And finally, steel wall and roof panels that are corrosion-resistant complete the metal building system.
These panels create the exterior of the structure.
And, if you don't want your prefabricated metal building to look like, well, a metal building, they can be finished with any typical building material to achieve the "look" you need.
Brick, stone, glass, block, tilt-up concrete, or even wood make attractive exteriors for prefabricated metal buildings.
One of the main questions people have when considering a prefabricated metal building is if it can have a basement.
In the article below, we will answer that question and talk about several benefits that come with a prefabricated metal building.
Table of Contents
- Durable and Reliable
- Flexible and Versatile
- Sustainable and Eco Friendly
- Easy and Quick Assembly
- Can Your Prefabricated Metal Building Have A Basement?
- Start Your Prefabricated Building Project Today
Durable and reliable
Your prefabricated metal building can last for decades.
And, it will remain useful during its entire life.
Steel buildings can withstand high winds, earthquakes, and other events that would devastate a wooden structure.
Termites and other pests are no match for metal buildings, which also hinders cracking, rot, and fire.
You can also protect your building from rust with specialized steel coatings while allowing the surface to be painted or coated with other coverings.
Flexible and Versatile
Pre-engineered metal or steel buildings have no interior columns, so their interior layouts are much more flexible than a traditional structure would be.
This, along with the option of a large overhead, rolling, or sliding doors offers uninterrupted interior space.
A pre-engineered steel building has no maximum size, so it can accommodate anything from a manufacturing plant to a warehouse, office, retail space, or even a home.
And there are endless width and length extension options to make any necessary future expansions a breeze.
Sustainable and Eco-Friendly
Steel is 100% recyclable.
Most of the steel used in construction today has been recycled from other uses.
That means that if the building you construct must be dismantled or demolished for whatever reason, the steel can be re-used elsewhere instead of taking up space in a landfill.
There is a great emphasis on being green in today's world, making steel the best material available for creating green structures.
There are 3 common types of steel used in construction because steel does not give off toxic fumes during the construction process or in the event of a fire or other disasters.
Sustainable construction is also crucial in obtaining a LEED certification.
A LEED certification can make your building more attractive to certain lessees that may prefer or even require an environmentally friendly building or green construction.
Steel structures are also easy to insulate and have tighter fittings around doors and windows.
That means your heating and cooling costs will be lowered.
And with a cool roof design, heat island effects can be mitigated, so the surrounding environment is subject to less heat.
Easy and Quick Assembly
Traditional buildings can take several months or longer to complete.
However, assembling and erecting a pre-engineered metal or steel building is relatively quick and easy.
Many of the parts of the prefabricated building are constructed off-site in a factory, so you don't have to worry about things like weather slowing down your construction time.
Those pieces are delivered to a prepared construction site where they are then put together.
If you have the skills to do it yourself, every building comes with anchor bolt patterns, a step-by-step erection guide, and detailed assembly drawings.
Individual pieces are precut and numbered to correspond with assembly drawings for fast assembly.
If you lack the know-how or manpower, or you just don't want to take the DIY approach, you can also find a company like CDMG that offers full-service steel building construction services.
Can Your Prefabricated Metal Building Have A Basement?
And finally, can your prefabricated metal building have a basement?
Many people wanting to build a residence or workshop are interested in building over a basement to add space for a variety of reasons.
The columns of a prefabricated metal building can be anchored to piers or a slab.
That means that our buildings can be built over a basement.
The building would just need to be attached to the foundation like it would be attached to the edge of a slab or a pier.
Constructing a prefabricated metal building with a basement will have the same basic construction concepts in regards to the basement, footers, foundation, etc.
The load from the metal building will be sent to the exterior walls and corners, and the basement will need to be strong enough to hold this load.
Here is what the process of adding a basement could look like:
- Step 1: Setting up mezzanine support columns
- Step 2: Installing bar joist between support columns
- Step 3: Installing steel decking over bar joists
- Step 4: Setting wire mesh on top of steel decking
- Step 5: Laying concrete on top of wire mesh
Start Your Prefabricated Building Project Today
If you're ready to begin your project, the first step is choosing a company that can get you to the finish line.
CDMG is one of the nation's foremost engineering companies serving industrial markets and customers.
Since 1991, the goal of CDMG has always been to deliver projects on time every time, within budget, and to the highest level of quality.
To learn more about CDMG or to get a quote for your prefab metal building project, click the button below.
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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.