Perka: All Steel Buildings

Return to Perka Library All Steel Buildings BENEFITS: 1. Wider/longer bay spacing, usually 20-25 feet. Set for door openings. 2. Optional pre-framed windows and doors. 3. Low roof pitch, normally suggesting 1:12; some say it looks better. 4. 26 gauge sheeting; thicker. 5. Fewer frames to erect, effecting contractor’s time. 6. Less concrete due to lower number of piers and although in many cases fixed connection (which will offset some of this savings). 7. Insurance may be better as a non-combustion building. DISADVANTAGES: 1. Worst possible building for collapse in case of fire. Fire Department will not normally enter the building. 2. Bolts are used instead of tek screws to apply the purlins and girts. So excess snow or ice levels, or excess wind up-lift causes the building to stretch, twist, and could collapse down as the bolts will not give. 3. By using 26 gauge sheeting, and the low roof pitch, they generally require the use of caulking which will dry out, shrink, crack and results in eventually roof leaks. 4. By using 26 gauge or 24 gauge sheeting, with purlins on 48 inch O.C. (or more), the allowable uniform load is much less compared to purlins with 24” O.C. or less spacings. 5. A tek screw is used to fasten steel sheeting to steel purlin (vs. steel/wood), resulting in potential for up to 100%leaking as steel will not absorb water. 6. The plate steel type frame is very wobbly or flexing during the erecting stage and requires a great deal of bracing during construction. 7. To finish the inside with drywall or plywood, requires the application of strapping as the girts can be 48” to 84” O.C. You’re actually building another building inside to finish. 8. The fixed connection uses 10-15% more concrete in piers and is a less stable construction design, providing an overall limiting design safety factor. 9. Most all steel building manufacturer/suppliers offer only a ONE YEAR warranty. 10. Typical application of insulation is a squeezed fiberglass option – offering a much reduced actual R- value and absolutely no reflective protection from radiant heat, unless covered with foil.