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There are several kinds of commercial building construction commonly used in North America. So why would someone building a commercial warehouse, retail space, warehousing, a church, school, farm, or municipal structure choose a steel building?

The simple answer is that steel buildings offer a cost effective, flexible, low maintenance and energy efficient structure that can be designed to fit almost any situation.

Steel is the least expensive material of all the available methods of construction. And because properly treated steel is so resistant to the elements, a steel building will have virtually no maintenance.

The strength of steel also makes it an ideal material for buildings where a large open floor space is required. Steel buildings can have a clear-span of up to 300 feet wide. This gives the designer and builder of commercial buildings a very large space that is column-free, and adds the flexibility to satisfy complex space designs while maintaining an obstacle free space.

** Steel buildings can be prefabricated

One of the most important advantages of steel buildings is that they can be prefacricated. When you deal with one of the major suppliers of steel buildings like Standard Steel Buildings you are purchasing a unique product that is designed to specifically meet your requirements.

Prefabricated steel buildings have many advantages over conventional construction. One of the most important advantages is that the design of your building can be matched to local environmental requirements. And it can be customized with unique exterior colors and finishes.

When it comes from the factory a prefabricated steel building comes pre-punched, pre-cut, pre-drilled and pre-welded, and ready to be assembled on your site by experienced local construction trades. This allows for the building to be erected in much less time than it would otherwise take.

** Shipped anywhere in the U.S.

Normally the pre-cut and pre-fitted materials can be shipped to any location within the U.S.A. Standard Steel Buildings, for instance, has 12 plants in various places around the U.S. where your building can be fabricated.

Some companies who buy buildings like this arrange to erect themselves. Others take advantage of the recommended erectors who are familiar with the process and know exactly how to erect steel buildings of this type.

** The fastest way to build a commercial building

Most buildings can be manufactured in as little as 4-6 weeks -- even when they have special design features, or customized exteriors. Since buildings like this are all custom manufactured, it can take a bit longer in busy construction seasons. But compared to alternative construction methods, erecting a pre-engineered, pre-manufactured steel building is the fastest way to get the job done.

** It does not have to look like a warehouse

Yes, pre-manufactured steel buildings can be used for standard warehouse type buildings. But they can also be adapted for retail buildings, churches, schools, agricultural buildings, and industrial buildings where appearance is more importnat.

By choosing one of many exterior options you can make the outside of your new steel building look like stone, brick or stucco. They can also be dressed up with unique doors, windows and other accessories.

Not surprisingly, the versatility of steel buildings is not widely known by the general public. But premanufactured steel buildings offer an exciting opportunity for commercial construction of all kinds.