Metal Buildings - Commercial Metal Buildings

First it was straw and wood. Then it became mud and clay. Stone followed, and was later replaced by brick and mortar. But in recent times, building construction has undergone a drastic change. Today, we have metal buildings. Metal is surely there in our old buildings too, but the current trend has shifted towards making entire buildings of metal, especially steel, or making the metal frames to support sheets of toughened plastic, laminates or some such material. Here, we shall restrict our discussions to buildings made almost entirely of metal. We are going to talk about buildings in which frames, beams, columns and even walls and roofs are made out of metals.

Metal buildings are popularly used in external structures built around homes, such as garages, tool sheds, work sheds, storage sheds and cabins for security staff, etc. They are also used in a very big way in making buildings that are used for commercial purposes. Recently, owing to the stability of these buildings under the onslaught of natural calamities like the hurricanes, more and more people are also taking to living entirely inside metal buildings.

Types

The types of metal buildings are described according to their shapes. There are four main types depending on this classifications. The shapes described are as seen from their front (gate) side:-

• P-type Metal Buildings - These buildings have straight and perpendicular walls and their roof is in the form of a rounded triangular arch. The arch shape is good for regions of moderate snowfall, as the snow would slide off the ceiling owing to its shape. Also, the high walls allow high vehicles to navigate easily.
• S-type Metal Buildings - These buildings have straight and perpendicular walls but their roof is designed to be semicircular in shape. If there is not much snowfall in the region, then the S-type is good, as it provides higher ceiling than the P-type. They are also good for maneuvering trucks and large vehicles due to their generous inside heights.
• Q-type Metal Buildings - Q-type buildings have no straight walls. They are wholly designed as a large semicircle. These are not good for navigating vehicles inside, but they are very good as garages for single vehicles and even boats. They can be used as warehouses and are ideal for stocking grain and hay.
• A-type Metal Buildings - These are the latest models specifically designed for places that have very heavy snowfall. Their walls are sloping inwards, and they have a roof that is designed in the rounded triangular form, much like the P-type. Though their inner area is less, they are good for extreme weather conditions.

Installation

Installing metal buildings is usually a breeze, and most owners do it themselves using do-it-yourself guides. Metal buildings are available in prefabricated formats - the different parts will be shipped to you, along with all the fittings and accessories required to erect the building. With the help of an elaborate guide, replete with several instructional diagrams, the metal building can be installed within a single day. However, most companies also offer their own installation services for people who are not up to the task. Generally, the installation is provided free or at a nominal cost when you order the buildings.

Pros and Cons

The increasing popularity of metal buildings definitely indicates that they must have several benefits. Indeed, as commercial buildings they are very cheap and easy to put up. They are also sturdy for most weather conditions, and hence they can provide good protection for the wares stocked inside the buildings. Also, since they are mostly in a prefabricated format, commercial buildings can be easily transported from one place to another. Maintenance of the buildings also becomes easy - just a coat of paint and weatherproofing materials is required when they start looking jaded.

On the negative side, metal buildings of iron are prone to rust very quickly, despite the rustproof paints used. Steel is preferable, but that would be a bit costlier than the iron buildings. Also, since these buildings are made of metals, the cheaper versions might have some jagged edges that could cause injury. However, the reputed metal building makers look minutely into these details, and buildings made by them are quite safe to use, even for residential purposes.

There is also a kind of stigma associated by people living in metal buildings because they are so inexpensive. But, if you are living in a region that is prone to natural calamities, then these buildings could be a good idea. Metal buildings cannot be made as beautiful as our traditional brick and mortar buildings, but that's a matter of perspective. Finally put, these buildings are excellent for commercial purposes, but for residential purposes, their utility would depend on the person who is planning to live inside one.