Things to consider when placing your metal building

Kunal Singh
July 2, 2022
4:18 am

Placing a steel building might feel like a simple task, but it also requires a lot of consideration.

After deciding on the type of metal building or steel structure you want, the next step is to place it on your property.

It is important to note that simply placing the structure anywhere in an open area could result in building code violations, access problems, or a blocked view of your favorite landscaping features.

You should consider carefully and determine the location of your metal building.

Here at Steel and Stud, we specialize in manufacturing metal building components kits that are designed to stand the test of time. You can ensure a lifetime of enjoyment of your metal structure by using our materials and adequately placing your metal building. Let us look at a few items to weigh when placing for your new metal building.

Six Things to Consider When installing Your Metal Building on The Ground

Metal buildings made of steel are famous in the industry due to their affordability, durability, strength, and appeal. Buying and installing a metal building is a significant investment. You have to make many decisions and to avoid any mistakes it is recommended to follow expert advice from start to end.

Placing your metal building in the right place is also an essential part. So, here are some things to keep in mind when placing your metal building on the ground.

1. Purpose of Metal Building

Determining the purpose of the building is crucial as it will influence everything, including the type of metal, insulation, accessories, and placement. Envision how you will use it now and in the future.

Living quarters

If your goal is to live in that, and you believe in Vastu shastra, a traditional Hindu system of architecture, your house should face east and north as they are of great importance for prosperity and health.

Metal Sheds

If you intend to use it as a shed, you will want to place it near your garden and close to a water source.

Metal Storage

If you plan to use it to store bikes, tools, farm equipment, and other supplies, you will likely want to place the shed in a location accessible from the front yard. In a nutshell, the purpose of the metal building and occupancy will influence your building’s placement.

2. Size & Type of The Building

Determine the building size and type of your metal building as it is an essential factor that would affect your building’s placement. There are basically three types of metal building:

Pole Barn

Pole Barn is an “entry-level” metal building, usually erected with wood poles. They are modifiable, and you can use them for residential or agricultural use.

Metal Buildings

All Metal Building is a building made of all metal and built on a concrete foundation. It is customizable and sturdy. People use these buildings as workshops, auto shops, or second garages.

Pre Fab Steel Buildings

Rigid Frame Building is a pre-engineered commercial-grade building. People usually use them for manufacturing and assembly-type businesses.

Once you have decided what kind of building you need, you will have to decide on the dimensions. It is always more reasonable to go longer than wider when selecting dimensions for your custom project.

The framing gets heavier as the width of a building increases, increasing the price. For example, if you need a 2400 sq. ft building, consider a 40′ x 60′ building rather than 60′ x 40′.

Metal building manufacturers will use the dimensions you provide them to determine the outside dimensions, not the clear interior space.

Remember to factor in framing, girts, and purlins when planning your interior space. You will have to place the building considering the building type needs and the area it will cover.

3. Location and Placement of Building

Four facts form the foundation of building positioning. All four facts are also related to the sun.

The sun will be at a high angle in the middle of the day in the summer, and it will be at a low angle during that same timeframe in the winter.

Position your building with these four basic facts in hand so its interior temperature remains more steady, saving you money on your energy bill.

Energy efficiency can also be increased by orienting buildings to sit within a certain angle of the east/west access -in the range of about 15 degrees for more natural light.

Due to the less surface area of the east and west-facing sections of a rectangular metal building, the results of this positioning will be even more dramatic.

The south-facing side of your steel building will benefit during the winter months from more consistent sunlight and warmth. Therefore, installing windows on the south side of your prefab metal building is a good idea.

Your site access must be adequate for using a finished building and during construction. If the delivery truck cannot drive up to the site, you may incur additional delivery fees because materials will be carried to the building site by hand manually.

A garage or a metal carport should not be set up at an angle to existing roadways; otherwise, it will be difficult for your vehicles to reach the installation site.

4. Check Local Rule and Regulation

Even when you own your property, you will have to follow the local rules and regulations to place a new steel building on the property. Your area’s new building codes and zoning restrictions will dictate how close you can place a metal building to your property’s edge, existing features like waterways, and your neighbor’s structures.

Having the perfect location picked out is possible, and then realizing you are a foot too close to the property line setback. Be sure to check all the zoning and code restrictions before deciding which parts of your property are available for construction to avoid any mistakes.

You might also need permits for proper drainage system so make sure to check all the permit requirements as well.

5. Foundation

It is essential that the construction site is level and even for a reliable metal building. Structural integrity is compromised whenever a building is constructed on uneven ground without proper support. A soil tests is must to know whether the ground is gravel, concrete or pebbled to set the right foundation.

No matter how strong the materials are, the structure will eventually collapse if the right support isn’t in place.

Fortunately, you can level the ground yourself or hire an experienced contractor to do it for you, ensuring the foundation is solid.

Furthermore, if you are to install steel buildings on uneven ground, it is possible to put in enough support to ensure that your structure stays stable.

6. Choose the Quality Material and Contractor for Steel Building

To make a metal building highly durable, you should use high-quality metal. High-quality building materials also lead to little or no maintenance, saving on extra costs. It can be overwhelming to manage everything, so hiring a contractor for your metal building is advisable.

Steel and Stud is a leading metal building manufacturer in the US. We provide prefabricated metal buildings and customize them according to your specific requirements. We have structures for all your needs, be it a carport, metal garage, metal storage sheds, custom metal building, metal building kits, etc.

We assure you the best prices and highest quality products. There are no hidden fees, and the buying process is also very easy. We are at your beck and call with our excellent customer service.

Advantages of Right Placement of Metal Buildings

Listing down the benefits of metal building is no brainer, but when you rightly place you add on these bounties:

Quick construction with low construction cost
Strong base to withheld the building in extreme weather conditions like high winds, heavy snow, high temperature, heavy rain
Ensure the right insulation for energy efficiency
Roof and Doors are strategically placed

Take Away

As we know, most metal buildings are a good investment, and you should decide on every detail by keeping budget in mind. Taking advice from a metal building specialist can help you build a metal building design that meets all your requirement and fits your budget.

As you can see, there are many small things to consider when placing a building, and it could be hard to keep everything in mind; that is also where an expert like Steel and Stud can help you.