Steel Building Design



Now that you have decided that you are going to build your structure using steel, you should decide on the proper design for your building. A good first step in this regard is to consider your requirements. Write down your requirements, and try to brain-storm any future uses you might have for your steel structure. Always consider the space that you have available, and how that the steel building will fit into your schema.

Architectural support is a very important aspect of any building. Because of this, support beams and columns have to be placed according to weight and breadth requirements. In this regard, it is very important to think about your entrances. If you think that you will be using your steel structure as a storage unit or unloading area for heavy equipment, it is recommended to plan where these large entrances will be placed before your structure is already built. This eliminates the need for future customization, as this may affect the support elements inside your building. The need to cut large doors and passage way after the building has already been constructed is not always a wise choice. Therefore, even if at the present time you only plan on using walk-in accessibility, try to consider whether in the future it will need wide access areas. In this way, your structure can be designed ahead of time with these aspect in mind; support structure can be built around these requirements ahead of time.

Always consider how aesthetics will affect your building, and make sure that the manufacturer producing your steel building has many options if aesthetics is important to you. Buying your accessories through the same company that designs and manufactures your building will enable you to save money through a package purchase, in many cases.


If you are storing equipment and tools in your steel structure, you will reap the benefits of structural soundness while still being able to customize the design of the shed to fit your purposes. Instead of traditional wood and stone structures, whereby shelving units and hangers must be later installed through drilling, in metal buildings, you can build in these elements into your original design. What advantage does this afford you as the customer? Well, your shelving units, hangers, etc. are hard-fastened into the walls rather than being drilled. This delivers the advantage of structural soundness because you don't have to worry about deterioration. In this regard, shelving units can be bolted into the walls, which is perfect for heavy equipment.

If you are running a professional storage facility, always consider you and your customers' requirements. If you are storing valuables, perhaps it is necessary to build in heavy doors and latches for security purposes. For storage units concerned with antiques, it is recommended to choose a windowless design. You can even build in environmental stability systems, like air conditioning and heating to protect valuables. Again, rather than installing these later on, and having to consider the design of an already built structure, you have the possibility to build in these elements before manufacturing, which affords you more space inside the structure.

In regard to barns, you can build in pens and environmental systems to protect your stock. Skylights and air flow control can be built directly onto the roof to allow for safe environmental conditions for your stock.


For residential homes, community centers, and commercial applications, aesthetics remain at the forefront. When designing your building, you will be pleased at the many thousands of accessories that can be applied to your structure. Steel houses can be veneered with wood and stone to give a traditional look. Roofs that deflect wind and snow with the inclusion of drainage systems can be designed. With steel, you will save thousands of dollars on roof maintenance in harsh environments if you design it correctly. Steel is far more resistant to elemental conditions, and you should always think about your climate for these designs.

Community Centers can be built with large spaces and windows. Commercial applications can range from large, multi-story buildings to one-level buildings ranging from a traditional look to a hyper-modern design.