A prefab steel building is a pre-engineered building created using custom computer aided designs. The primary framing structure of a prefabricated steel building is an assembly of I-beams. In a prefabricated steel building, the I beams used are usually made by welding together steel plates to form the I section. The I beams are then bolted together at the jobsite. The framing can be tapered more or less according to the local load requirements. Larger I beam dimensions are used in areas of higher load requirements.

Cold formed Z and C-shaped members may be used as secondary structural elements to fasten and support the external cladding.

Roll-formed ribbed steel sheets are used for the external covering of the building.

In order to accurately design a prefab steel building, engineers consider the clear span between bearing points, bay spacing, collateral loads, wind uplift, roof slope, live loads, dead loads, deflection criteria, internal crane system and maximum practical size and weight of fabricated members.

While a prefab steel building can be adapted to suit a wide variety of structural applications, the greatest economy will be realized when utilizing standard details. An efficiently designed prefabricated steel building can be lighter than the conventional steel buildings by up to 30%. Lighter weight equates to less steel and a potential price savings in structural framework.

You Must Insulate A Prefab Steel Building

If you're not going to spend the extra money to insulate, than don't purchase a prefab steel building! Your building will be a HOT tropical rain forest in the summer and frozen with ice crystals in winter if you don't insulate. The steel will magnify the heat and cold making it much hotter inside in summer and much colder inside in winter. Your building will be unbearable to enter at times in the summer. You'll have a constant drip due to condensation that will damage your building and its contents. The insulation must be a reflective insulation + radiant barrier + vapor barrier to handle the unique demands of a steel building kit. Click for prefab steel building insulation.

Condensation can be a more significant problem in a metal building than temperature control. Moisture from rain, groundwater, humidity and human activity like washing, cooking and breathing creates the potential for several problems in metal buildings. First, the presence of water or ice in the insulation seriously degrades both the thermal performance and service life of fiberglass, paper, wool and other traditional insulation materials. Second, water in contact with metals contributes to corrosion and lowers the service life of the building. Third, collection of water can lead to dripping, staining, mold, mildew and odors. All of these problems can be solved with a properly installed prefab steel building insulation system. A good prefab steel building insulation will have a vapor barrier. Even in only moderately humid climates, condensation can cause serious problems in an unprotected metal building. To avoid this problem, adequately ventilate the building and install a vapor barrier even if you do not plan to insulate. Prodex AD 5, a prefab steel building insulation acts as a vapor barrier or vapor retarder by limiting the passage of water vapor thereby preventing condensation within the insulation or on the interior surfaces of the building.

Features you should expect in a prefab steel building

Standard Prefab Steel Building

All steel 10” cold rolled Z-section (Clear span-no interior columns) • 2:12 roof pitch•50 yr. Structural Warranty • 26 gauge sheeting – 80,000 PSI Tensile Strength • 1.25” Sheeting Profile •16 beautiful baked on color choices for walls and trim (20 yr. color warranty) • 25 yr. galvalume roof warranty • Column Spacing 15’ • Heavy 30 lb. Ground Snow Load, 21 lb. Roof Snow load/Strong 110 mph Wind Load/ Heavy Seismic D/Exposure B/IBC06 (These codes cannot be changed) • Design has been patented • Erection DVD • Minimum concrete foundation required • Designed to erect in one weekend • Full trim package (rake, corners and eaves) • Plans completed in 2 weeks and delivery 5-8 weeks

Mid-Level Prefab Steel Building

Solid I-Beam ( Clear span-no interior columns) /50 yr. Structural Warranty/26 gauge sheeting/ 16 beautiful baked on color choices for walls and trim (20 yr. color warranty) / 20 Ground Snow Load/90 mph Wind Load/Seismic B/Exposure B/IBC09/ • Building design to AIS and MBMA Standards (Metal Building Manufacturers Association)•Complete Trim package (rake, corners and eave) • 25 yr. galvalume roof warranty• Largest Industry Overlap on purlins and girts • Corner Angles & Pre-form ridge cap • Fasteners are Colored Coated • Complete Corners & Sidewall corrugated Closures • Oversize Fasteners with 10% extra screws • Self Tapping and Self Drilling Screws • Frame Bolts are A-325 and A-307 High Tensile • Choice of Premium baked on paint (16 color options) • All parts are numbered and marked for ease of erection and identification • Anchor Bolt Setting Drawings • Two sets of comprehensive plans . All necessary material to erect building (Anchor bolts NOT included) • No cutting or welding on site • Engineered certified plans completed in 2 weeks and delivery 5-8 weeks. This building can be designed to handle codes for all states.

Top Level Prefab Steel Building 

Solid I-Beam (Clear span-no interior columns) / Attractive 3:12 Roof Pitch / Beautiful 1’ Roof Extensions and Overhangs w/soffits /50 yr. Structural Warranty/26 gauge sheeting/ 16 beautiful baked on color choices for walls, trim and roof (20 yr. color warranty) / 21lb. Ground Snow Load/14lb. 90 mph Wind Load/Seismic B/Exposure B/IBC09/ Commercial Grade Roll Up Door • 3070 Commercial Walk Door w/threshold, Frame, heavy Duty Lock Set, weather stripping (135 mph wind rated) • 3030 Framed Commercial Window w/screen • Building design to AIS and MBMA Standards (Metal Building Manufacturers Association)•Complete Trim package (rake, corners and eave) • Largest Industry Overlap on purlins and girts • Corner Angles & Pre-form ridge cap • Fasteners are Colored Coated • Complete Corners & Sidewall corrugated Closures • Oversize Fasteners with 10% extra screws • Self Tapping and Self Drilling Screws • Frame Bolts are A-325 and A-307 High Tensile • Choice of Premium baked on paint (16 color options) • All parts are numbered and marked for ease of erection and identification • Anchor Bolt Setting Drawings • Two sets of comprehensive plans . All necessary material to erect building (Anchor bolts NOT included) • No cutting or welding on site • Engineered certified plans completed in 2 weeks and delivery 5-8 weeks • Building can be designed to handle codes for all states.