Steel Prefabricated Building Structure: 4 Construction Benefits

Success as a steel contractor is making sure that you provide the proper services and quality to appeal to all customers. If you want your offerings to truly stand the test of time, a steel prefabricated building structure is what you need. There are a variety of major benefits for both the customer, the company and the building industry as a whole. Here are some of the main reasons why steel makes such a valuable building material.

Versatility

The customization and versatility that a steel prefabricated building structure can offer are unlike any other prefab building on the market. You can either assemble the structure in your manufacturing facility and transport it to the client. As an alternative, you can build the structure from its key components on-site. 

However, versatility in the building process is only the beginning. Customizing a structure is easy, even during the construction process. You can create modular elements without having to slow production or charge a premium to your clients. In turn, this makes you a more appealing business to work with. 

Even after construction is finished, there are different steps your client can take to improve their steel building with minimal issues. Say there is an added loading requirement. You can individually strengthen the steel structure or add additional sections to do so. Steel-framed buildings are strong, but relatively light to move compared to something like stone, which helps a lot here. 

Finally, we need to talk about the aesthetic benefits of going with a steel prefabricated building structure. You can alter the appearance of a steel structure to resemble something like wood or stone. You don’t have to worry about the pronounced issues or expenses that come with these options, though.

To give you a more concrete idea of how many applications prefabricated metal buildings have, here is a brief list:

-Aircraft hangars

-Agricultural buildings

-Riding arenas

-Office space additions

-Storage for residential or commercial use

-Garages

-Churches

-Industrial workshops

For a steel company struggling to try and get new clients, this may be able to make the difference.

Durability

Steel is uniquely suited to the rigors and wear and tear that many outdoor structures endure. A single steel structure can last for decades without any repair or upkeep besides the base amount. This includes resistance to high winds, earthquakes, and protection against natural occurrences that can level other structures.

In addition, other prefab structures, like wood, are at risk of major damage due to pests and the elements. By comparison, metal structures are completely free of these issues, especially steel. Some may be concerned about the effects of rust, but this is greatly overblown. Many contractors that use prefabricated steel structures have access to a variety of chemicals and compounds specifically designed to slow rust. 

Efficiency

Providing more versatility and durability are great from a customer-facing perspective. It’s important to talk about efficiency benefits as well. These points are great not only to market to customers, but also for the steel company itself. The faster you can start building with steel, the more clients you can service.

How does this work out in practice? 

To start, a pre-engineered building has its components/modules ready to be assembled right away. This means your typical project can be completed in 2-30 days depending on the size. A comparable steel structure built from scratch could require as much as 1-6 months to be completed.

With additional speed comes lower labor cost, both for the company itself and passed down in savings to the consumer. The cost of assembly is so much lower and components are ready to assemble when they reach the construction site. These means reductions by as much as 60% in cost. This can make prefab steel structures a great alternative cheaper option if you find customers are balking at your conventional prices.

Finally, all of these structures are working off an existing, proven template. This means faster construction. However, there’s a far smaller risk of your customers being unhappy with the end result also. This means that you don’t lose time and man-hours on old clients.

Sustainability

Something that gets missed in this conversation is how environmentally friendly pre-engineered steel buildings can be. This is largely because steel is 100% recyclable. Most steel beams and other products have recycled from other steel structures. Also, in the steel build process or even of a fire, steel gives off no toxic fumes. 

Along with safety concerns, the sustainability of steel also helps your clients in terms of the bottom line. Prefabricated metal buildings are easier to insulate and have a tighter fit around doors and windows. This means building owners pay less for heating and cooling. This can be a major draw for clients trying to save money on building upkeep and ownership, especially in certain climates. This is even further compounded with a modern roof and walls.

Improvements in the structural steel frame manufacturing process mean that there’s a lot less waste material generated also. Note that this doesn’t compromise the strength-to-weight ratio at all. In fact, steel building kits have the strongest ratio of any material. Practically, this means it’s a more cost-effective form of foundation. You can add more materials with fewer weight concerns, also.

Looking into steel multi-story prefabricated building structures are key in a variety of settings for a wide range of different reasons. From versatility to durability to even environmental concerns, they stand apart from some of the alternatives. As a result, any steelworking company or contractor should consider adding this product to its suite of construction projects. It could potentially open up your business to a whole new class of potential clients.

How eSUB Can Help

eSUB is a cloud-based project management platform built especially for subcontractors. It seamlessly integrates with leading construction software systems so you can easily switch from your current document process to a cloud-based system to upgrade your construction project management process.

eSUB organizes all of your project information in one place, allows for smooth collaboration, and streamlines communication through its intuitive interface. It also works on your mobile, so you can track projects on the go—no matter where or when—and stay up-to-date.