Building a steel building used to be only for the specialists that had certain permits to build these types of buildings, but since the down turn of the economy these structures are becoming more and more popular every day. If you have ever wanted to build your own general steel building now might be the time to do it. They even have steel building kits that make it an easy step by step process that even the most inexperienced person can handle. You have to admit that the benefits to having one of these steel buildings cannot be overlooked.

Steel buildings come in all shapes and sizes, but are usually found in one of three categories: clear-span, RSJ (rolled steel joist), and hybrid. You can find a more detailed description of these types below.

Clear-span, or arch steel, buildings generally have no reinforcement or supportive pillars that break up the floor space. All support is provided by the shape of the building. An arch that is placed at both ends of the building then rooted into the ground is where this type of edifice gets most of its strength. This method can be found most commonly on the hangar-style Quonset huts. It has a number of ribs that are raised throughout the building where each end is secured to a base plate or buried in a concrete ditch. There is a steel skin that is attached to the outside which makes the building waterproof and give it a little more strength throughout the whole structure. If you wanted to make the building a little bit bigger later on, it can easily be extended by adding more ribs on either side. To finish the construction both ends can be sealed off by using brickwork or some wooden panels.

If you live in an area with a lot of commercial factories you have probably seen the RSJ-framed buildings. These are mostly used for commercial purposes. The skeleton of these magnificent steel buildings make these structures self-supporting with a great deal of inherent strength. Purloins (small joists) are then placed at intervals and secured in place to support the floor or walls. Then if you prefer, you can place insulation throughout the walls of the building to help with the temperature.

Steel-framed buildings have helped our nation’s cities to grow higher and wider every day. When building one of these massive edifices architects must pay special attention to the placement of the steel columns. A mall would be an example of a steel framed building.

The hybrid building is a mix of steel with wooden joists. These are used mostly throughout residential projects and offices. Steel building prices are better than they have ever been, so if you or your company are deciding which type of building to construct you should definitely look into steel buildings.