If your business needs a new building, one of the first decisions you face is whether to install a prefab metal building or opt for conventional construction. Although there are advantages to both options, steel prefabricated buildings offer a number of compelling advantages for businesses to consider. If the drawbacks of prefab steel buildings don’t bother you, you can enjoy reduced costs, quicker build times and other benefits. If they do, then opt for a conventional construction method.
Benefits of Prefabricated Buildings
Cost of Prefabricated Buildings
For many business owners, the types of prefabricated buildings are simple. On average, prefab metal buildings are cheaper to construct. A metal building construction company can design and build the components of the building ahead of time, taking advantage of economies of scale to reduce the cost of construction. In addition, because the specifications of prefabricated metal buildings are known ahead of time, builders don’t need to over-engineer the building to compensate for unknown elements.
Design Process and Limitations
Prefabricated buildings are simpler and faster to design, but there are limitations to their design specifications. For many industrial building construction situations, prefab metal buildings work just fine and can simplify and streamline the design process. With most of the options already designed, the process is as simple as choosing a building that satisfies your requirements and fits the space. However, if your construction site or business needs aren’t compatible with a prefabricated design, you’ll need to explore more traditional methods that can be designed around your specific needs.
Speed of Construction
Commercial steel buildings are typically faster to construct than conventional construction. Most of the components are already measured, cut and ready to assemble. Construction is reduced to erecting the structure and fastening the pieces together. On average, prefabricated metal buildings can be constructed in 6-8 weeks. However, an equivalent building using conventional construction typically takes 20-26 weeks to construct.
Safety and Simplicity
Unlike traditionally constructed buildings, the designs of pre-engineered metal buildings can be tested and refined over time for improved safety. The pre-existing specifications of these types of buildings reduce the complexity of construction, making it easier for each building to be as safe as possible. This same simplicity also makes other aspects of construction, such as seismic stability and the construction of the foundation, easier and safer as well.
Forward-Thinking Designs
Many prefabricated buildings are designed to be part of a whole family of related buildings, allowing you to take advantage of modular construction. If you need to expand later down the road, each building includes attachment points for additional buildings. If you need to add new buildings in the future, your expansion is as easy as ordering the new modules, removing the outer paneling of your building and adding the new module to your construction. Expanding a traditional building, on the other hand, requires a fresh architectural design and some demolition to prepare the building for expansion.
Additional Reading for Prefab Metal Buildings:
- Pre-Fab Metal Building Advantages in Commercial Construction
- 6 Ways to Save Money During Industrial Building Construction
- Best Uses of Prefab Metal Buildings for Commercial Construction
See our Product: STAR Steel Buildings
If your business needs to construct one or more new metal buildings, contact CBF Contracting, Inc. We’re a leading partner for STAR steel building manufacturers in the western Pennsylvania area and have extensive experience with both prefabricated buildings and conventional construction. Depending on the type of project you need, we can weigh the differences. Call us at 814-745-3000 to consult with our expert team to discover what type of prefab building is right for you.
