The need for warehouses has been on the rise. In 2019 the number of construction materials available can be overwhelming. It’s great to have options, but too many options can leave you feeling lost as to which direction to choose.
If you’ve found your way to this article it most likely means you’re considering prefabricated steel for your next warehouse project. You’re not alone – the popularity of these prefabricated metal warehouses has grown in recent years as many have come to realize the many benefits of this strong and budget-friendly material.
Want to learn what those advantages are for yourself? Let’s take a look…
- Quick Turnaround
Traditionally the construction process is long and often arduous and stressful. However, a prefabricated metal warehouse can be erected at a rate of up to 1,500 square feet each day. This fast method of construction eases the strain on you and gets your building up and ready to go in no time in comparison to traditional building methods.
- Cost Efficiency
Prefabricated metal warehouses are low in cost due to the efficiency with which they can be built. Quicker assembly means fewer man-hours. This translates into big savings for you.
In addition, the maintenance costs on your new warehouse will be considerably lower than that of a warehouse built from another material. These buildings can last well over 50 years with very little need for part replacement or repair.
Metal is also resistant to fires, pests and critters, mold and rot. This often means a lower insurance policy premium – a saving which certainly adds up over the lifespan of the warehouse.
- Durability
There’s a reason why metal buildings are often the choice for evacuation areas. Steel is considered one of – if not the – most durable construction material on the market. Once you’ve built your warehouse out of this trusted material it is sure to hold up no matter what sort of weather comes along. Snowfall, earthquakes, heavy rain and winds are no match for the solidity of metal.
- Design Flexibility
Perhaps the most common hesitation to choosing steel over another building material is design element. It is a commonly held belief that metal buildings have large design limitations and are often unattractive in appearance. However, the time of boring old square boxes is long gone. Design options are plentiful these days.
You can create a plan for your space that is as simple or as elaborate as you desire – whatever suits your needs. Don’t worry if you don’t have all the answers right away. You can easily modify or add to your warehouse down the road.
- Clear-span Ability
Don’t want a bunch of load-bearing poles and posts in your way? No problem. Your space will be maximized with a prefabricated steel warehouse. These sturdy structures can extend for up to 100 feet without any need for a load-bearing pole – sometimes even further, depending on the design.
- Eco-Friendly
Now more than ever it is important to be mindful of the environment as much as possible. Luckily, steel is a naturally eco-friendly option that is growing rapidly in popularity based on this fact. Steel is made from recyclable materials and at the end of its lifespan can be 100% recycled.
While in use its metal roof, vapor barriers and insulation reduce your cooling and heating bill exponentially. If you so desire, metal warehouses can also be fitted with solar panels to create an even more eco-friendly environment.
- Foundation
Prefabricated steel warehouses tend to be far lighter than traditional counterparts, which allows the foundation to be lighter as well. Your building team will also know exactly how much the finished product will weigh, which means they can lay the foundation accordingly.
With conventional building materials the final weight is never certain, therefore the building team has to overestimate, which leads to an often unnecessarily dense foundation.
- Simplicity
Steel kits are made to be easy to install. Rather than having to deal with complicated blueprints, your building process will be streamlined with the simple, easy-to-follow instructions provided. It will not take long for the team to understand how it needs to be erected and can get the process underway quickly and confidently.
- Performance
Each element in your prefabricated metal warehouse will be tested together – not just as individual pieces, as with traditional metal buildings. You won’t have to worry about ill-fitting or faulty components. Your kit will fit together perfectly, which will allow for a seamless construction process.
As you can see from the benefits outlined in this list, the increase in popularity steel has enjoyed over years is well-deserved. This cost-efficient, durable and environmentally friendly material is here to stay – literally. Yes, there are many building material options out there, but very few with the positive track-record steel has gained. With so many upsides, steel is an easy choice for your next warehouse project.
To find out more about how American Iron Works can help you with the construction of your next prefab metal warehouse, contact our office today.
