Steel Building Talk

There are three main steel building frame types to consider for your next steel building project: clear span frames, modular frames, or single slope frame structures. By reviewing this information you should be able to more easily choose the appropriate style to meet your requirements.

Steel building suppliers or manufacturers use a precise design and pricing system whether you are purchasing a structure by phone or on the Internet. You can get a price for a clear span rigid frame building (the most popular choice on the steel building market today), opt for a modular design, or select a single slope configuration for a specific need.

The first style to be discussed in detail is the very popular clear span frame design. This is a proven industry performer. The clear span rigid frame offers you a structure of economy, strength, durability, and versatility. There are no interior load-bearing column supports required with this style of frame, making this structure ideal when you require a vast, unobstructed interior. These buildings are very popular as manufacturing facilities, retail stores, sports complexes and agricultural structures. Rooms, or areas of the interior that require sectioning off, are easily accommodated with the use of partitions. These partitions are also non-load bearing so that you can arrange and rearrange your floor plan whenever you want. There are some limits with the use of clear span construction. As the width of the building increases, the sturdy steel frames must become heavier in order to bear the increased loads, so the cost per square foot will rise accordingly. However, clear span frames can be as wide as 300 feet and are very cost effective for buildings as wide as 150 feet.

The next category is the modular frame style. Unlike clear span construction, modular frames utilize interior load bearing columns. These columns more evenly distribute the loads. The use of interior columns reduces the cost of both the frame and foundation of steel buildings requiring expansive width. The cost savings to the purchaser will start to be seen when the building approaches about 80 feet in width, and continues to offer additional savings if the building needs to be even wider. In the long run, most buildings beyond 150 feet in width will utilize interior columns. The modular design is chosen for many factories, and any steel building or facility that needs moderate or substantial space for their interiors.

The final style is the single slope frame. These structures have different eave heights on each sidewall. This causes the roof of the building to slope up from front to back. The eave height of the lower side is specified and figures the pitch required for your roof. Roof pitch is the number of inches a roof rises vertically for every foot it runs horizontally. A number of single sloped roofs use a ½ :12 pitch but they can be higher pitched. The single slope design is used for strip malls, office space, and mini-storage facilities. Having reviewed the three frame styles available, you should have a clearer idea of what type of building will best suit your needs. Any style will provide you with a durable and functional building for many years to come.