Steel buildings come in a variety of shapes, sizes and uses, each designed to work perfectly in their environment. Because they’re so versatile, they can be adapted to suit almost any requirement. But what are the different types of steel buildings, and which one is best for you?
At Wedgewood Steel Buildings, we’ve been installing steel buildings since 2016, and work all over the country at different sites. We’ve put together this quick guide to the types of steel buildings as well as how to find the perfect structure for your needs.
If you’d rather speak directly to an expert, just give us a call on 01782 898104.
Why Choose a Steel Building?
Before we get into the types of steel buildings, why would you want one in the first place? Well, for a whole list of reasons:
- Durability – steel is a highly durable material, meaning steel buildings can be very long lived, and can even be repaired in sections if they’re ever damaged
- Cost – the speed of construction and ability to support more weight with fewer materials makes steel buildings a cost-effective option
- Adaptability – steel buildings can be adapted to suit a range of different applications and can also be adapted or expanded to meet changing needs
- Construction speed – they can be assembled far faster than traditional buildings, keeping costs down and minimising disruption
- Sustainability – steel is entirely recyclable and lasts for long periods, making steel buildings an eco-friendly alternative to bricks and mortar
The Main Types of Steel Buildings
Agricultural Steel Buildings
Agricultural steel buildings are designed to provide a durable, cost-effective option for farmers. They can be erected quickly, allowing you to expand space rapidly and are perfect for a range of purposes:
- Equipment storage
- Grain stores
- Livestock housing
- Machinery protection
They can be specially tailored with additional features to meet almost any specific demand, such as tall entryways to accommodate machinery, insulation to keep livestock warm or damp proofing to protect grain.
What Are the Advantages of Steel Agricultural Buildings?
Like many types of steel buildings, agricultural steel buildings provide fantastic durability, lasting for decades or more in harsh conditions while requiring minimal maintenance. Their steel structures mean they can be easily adapted to suit specific needs and quick construction makes them perfect for busy farm environments.
What is the Lifespan of Agricultural Steel Buildings?
Agricultural steel buildings can easily last between 30 and 50 years or more depending on how well they’re maintained. They’re resistant to corrosion, pests and extreme weather and can be further protected with coatings and routine inspections.
Commercial Steel Buildings
For commercial applications, steel buildings are perfect. They’re practical yet visually pleasing and can be used for everything from shops and offices to showrooms. As with other different types of steel buildings, they can also be customised internally and externally depending on unique requirements, with sectioned areas for storage, display and work.
Commercial steel buildings can be assembled very quickly too, allowing for minimal disruption and faster occupancy, which can be crucial for businesses looking to get operational as soon as possible.
What Are the Advantages of Commercial Steel Buildings?
First and foremost, commercial steel buildings can be constructed quickly, are completely customisable and offer excellent durability even with heavy use. They’re perfect for any kind of commercial use and their low cost and minimal maintenance requirements make them ideal for fast-growing businesses.
How Energy-Efficient Are Commercial Steel Buildings?
All types of steel buildings, including commercial, can be fitted with insulation and their airtight construction minimises draughts, meaning commercial steel buildings can be highly energy efficient. Thanks to effective insulation and reflective exteriors to reduce solar gain, commercial steel buildings stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
Industrial Steel Buildings
Steel buildings are a popular choice for industrial applications, serving as factories, workshops, production plants and more. A robust construction and durable materials make them exceptionally long-lived, even in demanding environments. Industrial steel buildings can be designed to accommodate and support heavy machinery with ease, and layouts are entirely adaptable, from open plan to segmented.
With the option for reinforced frames, they can withstand heavy use as well as temperature fluctuations, dust and vibrations.
What Are the Advantages of Industrial Steel Buildings?
One of the most durable types of steel building, industrial steel buildings can be constructed with high-grade metal to allow for large open spans to house machinery. They’re also fully adaptable and can be expanded to suit your evolving needs over time.
What Industries Benefit Most from Steel Buildings?
High versatility makes industrial steel buildings ideal for a wide range of applications:
- Manufacturing
- Logistics
- Automotive
- Food processing
- Fabrication plants
- And more
Steel Warehouse Buildings
One of the most common types of steel building is warehouse buildings. They’re the perfect choice for bulk storage, logistics and distribution. A highly flexible design means they can serve almost any purpose, from storing raw materials to finished products. Modular designs and intelligent engineering make creating large, open spans easy, giving maximum space efficiency for storage and opening up vertical space.
These open layouts also make vehicle access possible for both loading and transport, creating versatile, multifunctional spaces.
What Are the Advantages of Steel Warehouse Buildings?
The three main benefits of steel warehouse buildings are speed and ease of construction, structural strength and long-term durability. However, they also allow for large, open interiors to maximise usable space without pillars and are almost infinitely adaptable for different purposes.
How Secure Are Steel Warehouses?
As with almost all the different types of steel buildings, steel warehouses are highly secure. Their metal construction makes them naturally resistant to forced entry and they can be easily fitted with a huge range of additional security features such as CCTV, locks, security alarms and much more.
Steel Clad Buildings
Steel clad buildings are made entirely of steel. They feature a steel frame supporting steel outer cladding, creating a highly durable structure that serves as an attractive, cost-effective alternative to more traditional materials.
They’re commonly used in farming, manufacturing, logistics and retail distribution, serving as everything from animal shelters to workshops and retail units. Steel clad buildings are modular and can therefore be adapted to suit the needs of almost any industry or individual.
What Are the Advantages of Steel Clad Buildings?
There are several advantages to steel clad buildings, including high weather resistance, low maintenance and robust protection for goods, items or assets kept inside. They’re also quick to install and highly durable, even in demanding settings, making them a practical option for businesses that need long-term functionality.
How Long Does Steel Cladding Last?
Steel cladding can last 60 years or more with only minimal maintenance. Occasional cleaning and inspections for wear and rust are advised, and coatings such as galvanisation can extend its lifespan.
Cold Rolled Steel Buildings
Next on our list of types of steel buildings is cold rolled steel buildings. These are constructed using steel that has been processed at room temperature, giving very clean, uniform finishes. This results in strong, lightweight steel that is typically used for smaller buildings or those that need to be erected faster.
Cold rolled steel buildings are often used for warehousing, small-scale manufacturing, automotive workshops, agricultural storage and commercial retail. Like many steel buildings, they’re also modular, so they can be configured to suit a wide range of applications.
What Are the Advantages of Cold Rolled Steel Buildings?
There are a number of advantages that make cold rolled steel buildings a favourite across a breadth of industries, including high strength, speedy construction and consistent quality, thanks to the uniformity of cold rolled steel.
Are Cold Rolled Buildings Suitable for Industrial Use?
Absolutely. Cold rolled buildings are well suited to industrial use, although, because of the nature of the steel, they are not ideal for heavy industrial applications. They can happily tackle smaller scale manufacturing and processing requirements.
Hot Rolled Steel Buildings
Hot rolled steel is produced at very high temperatures, and results in thicker, heavier and stronger sections. This allows hot rolled steel buildings to be larger and feature the open, pillar-less spans that are prized in applications such as warehousing and heavy manufacturing.
The additional strength also makes hot rolled steel buildings exceptionally durable, and ideal for punishing environments with harsh weather and fluctuations in temperature. They’re commonly used in industrial warehousing, transportation infrastructure and agricultural storage.
What Are the Advantages of Hot Rolled Steel Buildings?
The main advantage of hot rolled steel buildings is their strength. This makes them ideal for large projects and means they don’t require central supports such as pillars. One of the most durable options amongst the different types of steel buildings, they’re able to withstand extreme conditions and high wear.
What Are the Differences Between Hot Rolled and Cold Rolled Buildings?
Hot rolled and cold rolled steel are produced at two different temperatures. Hot rolled steel is manufactured at high temperatures, resulting in larger, stronger sections but compromising on surface quality. Cold rolled steel is made at room temperature, producing lighter but less load-bearing sections with greater uniformity and a more visually pleasing surface finish. This means hot rolled steel buildings can be larger, with more open interiors, whereas cold rolled steel buildings tend to be smaller but more affordable.
How to Choose the Right Steel Building Type
So, now we’ve covered the different types of steel buildings, which is right for you? The answer will depend on your particular use. For example, if you’re looking to expand storage capacity for your warehousing business, then a hot rolled steel building might be best.
Alternatively, if you need more space to store dry grains on your farm, an agricultural steel building will probably be ideal. Carefully evaluate your needs and select the type of steel building that most closely aligns with them.
Wedgewood Steel Buildings has been designing and installing steel buildings of every kind for years, and we can create the ideal structure to suit any need. You can see the variety of our work in our case studies. We offer free, no-obligation quotes and a 30-year warranty on every building we install. To get started, just reach out to our friendly team by calling 01782 898104, emailing sales@wedgewoodsteelbuildings.co.uk or filling out our contact form.