6 Design Tips for Steel Buildings

Are you thinking about building something new for work or relaxation? Whether it’s for business or leisure, starting any construction project involves many decisions. You’ll need to figure out the size and layout, select materials, and choose design features. These choices can be overwhelming. However, picking the right materials can simplify the process and improve the final result.

Steel offers many benefits, such as strength, durability, pest resistance, versatility, lower costs, and sustainability. This makes choosing steel an easy decision. You just need to figure out how to make your building unique.

Here are some design tips for steel buildings to help you get started.

Go Big Enough

One of the most common regrets of people who put up buildings is, “I wish we were bigger!” Often, it’s because of cost, but many only consider their current needs and forget about future expansion.

Commercial steel buildings can be any size you need because they are made from strong components. This means you can have larger open spaces for your shops, manufacturing facilities, and big barns.

They are also great for residential builds if you want open-concept designs. The key is to plan bigger than you need and grow into it.

It Doesn’t Have to Be Simple

People often think you are limited to a box or rectangle because steel is used. Wood is versatile; it can be cut and framed into any design you like. Guess what? Steel can do that, too.

Steel doesn’t come out of the ground as I-beams. It is made in a foundry and shaped into whatever form you need. This makes it very flexible and adaptable, unlike standard structures.

You can go wild with architectural blueprints, building facades and contrasting rooflines as much as you want. If it’s a barn, the cows will come home to it. Let your creativity flow because steel matches your designs.

Shorten Your Timeline

Building with traditional wood framing takes time because many parts must be connected. This usually takes months. With a steel building, this time can be cut down to weeks.

The measuring and design work are done at the steel plant, so when the product arrives on site, it can be put together quickly. Pre-engineered buildings are even cheaper since the parts are standard and often ready to ship before you need them.

Mix Up Your Material

While steel is steel, different fabrication methods can enhance your design. You can keep your building standard and dress it up with architectural details like metal shutters and other unique features. What else looks great with steel? Everything!

Adding other building materials to steel creates a contrasting element that can be used in many directions. You can incorporate:

• Stone panels
• Glass elements
• Brick
• Treated timber
• Concrete blocks
• Cement board
• Wainscoting

Steel can even provide the shell behind the scenes. Then, you can use whatever material you like for a facade to create the best design elements.

Customize With Colour and Shape

Steel buildings aren’t just columns, posts, and beams. They are covered with steel panels on the walls and roof, creating a strong exterior that can withstand a lot. Plus, they are very colourful.

Steel panels come in many colours. You can install them vertically, horizontally, or in any pattern you prefer. This is your chance to get creative. You just need the right backing to attach the panels with screws.

You can mix and match colours as much as you want or even create a stunning piece of steel art. The panels are easy for installers to cut, so whatever you imagine can come to life.

Enhance the Outside of the Building

Your steel building stands as a solid structure but can also be a hub for additional design components. You can complement it with landscape features that look nice, including:

• Water features
• Steel artwork
• Outdoor seating
• Vertical gardening

As you can see, the design options are almost endless, opening up possibilities that make designers smile. Consider adding some or all of these ideas to your next steel building. Then, enjoy all the benefits metal can do for you because it is up for the challenge.