All posts by Olympia

Making Room for a Home Office

When thinking about putting an office space in your home, it often comes down to whether or not you have the extra space to accommodate it. While there are always ways you can renovate and rearrange inside your home to make room for a workspace, there are also times that you just won’t have the space to spare no matter how to organize it. In these cases where you still want a workspace that is on your residential property, building a space separate from your home is the next best thing and there are plenty of reasons why our prefab steel buildings make for the perfect office space. It will be important to have a clear idea of how you’re going to use the space so you can create an office that works best for you. Having an idea of how much space you’re going to need will be based on knowing how many people plan on working out of it, the kinds of tools and equipment you’ll need to store or make space for and so on. No two offices are created equal and where a desk, bookshelf and chair might work for some – for others that isn’t nearly enough on-hand resources to complete the work they need to. Here are just a few reasons why prefab steel makes for excellent office spaces. Flexible Contrary to popular belief, there is more than one way for the inside and outside of a steel building to look and it’s more than possible to have a space that perfectly fits your needs and aesthetic wants. The great thing about steel buildings is their trussless design that allows you to have a truly open concept space design since the usual obstructive support columns won’t be there to dictate what is able to go where. From sizing to deciding where windows, doors and wall partitions will go, steel buildings give you the freedom to have the exact kind of office space you’re looking for. Cost-Effective For the most part, office spaces can be expensive to run – even the ones that are on your own residential property. Depending on the size, the distance from your home and how often it’s being used, you are essentially paying for utilities and occasional maintenance for a whole separate structure, which can add up quicker than you think. The great thing about steel buildings is that they are naturally insulated and with the addition of extra insulation, you can save plenty of money when it comes to utilities. Quick Construction Steel buildings are perfect for nearly any use due in large part to the fact that they can be erected in short periods of time in comparison to other forms of construction. If you’ve decided that you need a home office to work out of, chances are you’ve already outgrown whatever workspace inside your home you’ve been working from and the sooner your new office space can be ready, the better. With prefab steel buildings, a project that might have normally taken weeks or even months to do can be up & running in a matter of days. For more information on our steel buildings, call us at 1-888- 449-7756

Posted by Olympia on February 21, 2017 · Leave a Comment

How to Handle Rising Steel Prices

With the popularity of steel buildings increasing steadily, it’s also starting to Become more and more noticeable that the price of steel is rising as well. Steel production from particular countries have historically been much cheaper than others, while some countries have lowered their production of steel for their own reasons. China specifically, a large producer of steel, has seen a dip in tons of steel produced and will likely continue well into 2020. Here are just a few reasons why steel prices might rise in 2017 and what you can do to still take full advantage of prefab steel buildings in the meantime. Lower Supply Due to this lowering supply, demand will rise dramatically as there’s less steel being produced worldwide. More and more structures and buildings are turning to steel – prefab and otherwise – in order to complete projects that will last for years to come. Thanks to this newfound interest in prefab steel, more and more residential and commercial projects are set to include the material than ever before. Like any material that is being produced less and less, there’s Recyclable Steel might be the most recycled material on earth so as we become more and more environmentally conscious, this will be seen as a premium for all materials that are able to do this. Structures being built now are going to focus even more on their ability to be “green buildings” so it’s imperative to brace yourself for the rising prices this will bring as well. What Can You Do? Plan Ahead Like any construction project, it will be important for you to plan ahead well in advance so that you won’t encounter any surprises and can also take advantage of the prices as they currently are. We strive to provide the best possible prices on our steel buildings, so it’s important to use extensive planning to your advantage when looking to erect a structure. Budget Correctly With planning comes budgeting, and with the prices on the raw material set to rise it’s important to map out what your total costs will look like while you still have the opportunity to benefit from our affordable costs. Currently, you can expect to save about 30% off the cost of your structure when compared to buying the raw materials to create a building of the same size. Budgeting well will prevent any surprise costs near the end of your construction process. Making last minute changes can be costly and use much more of your resources than you intended. I Act Now Currently, our prefab steel buildings are still reasonable priced so that our customers are satisfied with everything from the engineering to the efficiency of the construction process, but with the prices of the raw material set to rise, there’s no telling when steel building providers will have to follow suit. Start off the year the right way by planning your steel structure needs early so you can make your purchase and have them up before potentially drastic changes shift the steel industry in the coming years. For more information on our steel buildings, call us at 1-888- 449-7756

Posted by Olympia on February 13, 2017 · Leave a Comment

Wine Not?

Steel buildings have the type of versatility that makes them useful in all kinds of uses and industries, and the wine industry is not different. While historic wineries exist all over the world, there still needs to be newer structures or expansions done to accommodate a business that’s constantly growing and booming. There are plenty of reasons why steel buildings are the perfect option for that, and why it’s important to consider all of the best possible options to use. Secure In terms of safety and security, steel is the perfect option because it’s a material that’s extremely durable. Commercial steel buildings are resistant to not only many different kinds of weather conditions but also to fire, to pests like termites and to corrosion once it’s been treated with the right protective paints and coatings. With structures made of wood, for example, you would have to worry about different kinds of pests burrowing in and potentially damaging your equipment or the product itself, but with steel buildings that’s something you don’t have to worry about. Steel’s natural insulation and additional insulation is also important for maintaining a regulated temperature and this is imperative because many of the production processes require a specific temperature or other specifications of conditions that have to remain the same in order to create output that always tastes, looks and feels the same each time. Low Maintenance One of the best things about steel structures is how low maintenance they are. That isn’t to say they won’t ever need any repairs during the life of your building, but you will be able to go much longer amounts of time without needing much in the way of repairs and fixes due to the durable nature of steel. This is excellent in the wine industry because so much of the daily production will focus on the wine itself, and it’s important that the building remain in constant good shape in order to continue. Any stops for major overhauls or repairs can have a detrimental impact on production and output that might be difficult to make up later on. Annual inspections are a must, but chances are there won’t be much to fix beyond regular wear and tear. Cost-Friendly Generally speaking, you’ll save about 30% when choosing to go with a steel structure when compared to buying the raw materials like wooden beams or bricks for a structure that will end up being the same size. Depending on how large you’re looking to building your structure, you can wind up saving thousands of dollars in the end. Not only that, but the construction costs will also be greatly reduced since you won’t require skilled workers to get the job done. The general contractors that you might need will take much less time to put the structure up, reducing your costs further. In addition, the cost to heat or cool your space will be much lower than in other structures thanks to steel’s natural insulation and energy efficiency. This allows more money to go back into the production, bottling and transport of wine products.

Posted by Olympia on February 6, 2017 · Leave a Comment

Great Buildings for Art Centers

The excellent thing about steel building is how incredibly versatile they are, able to fill a wide variety of uses depending on what you might need it for. Thanks to this, there are tons of industries that steel buildings can fit into to make it better, and manufacturing or industrial uses are not the only ones – though those tend to be the ones we think of first and foremost when we think of steel buildings. One such industry is arts & culture. You might think prefab steel or steel in general could benefit that field, but there are plenty it reasons why it can. Steel buildings are luckily flexible enough to fit into many different kinds of roles, and it will simply be up to you to be able to fill in these roles Art Gallery We might not think of an art gallery when we see steel buildings, but this is actually one of the most perfect matches. Gallery spaces are generally wide open spaces that allow the art to tell the story of the structures interior thanks to its trussless design. Without obstructive centre support beams, you will have much more room and freedom to make the inside look however you want as well as displaying the art in any way you choose to. You can add drywall or other kinds of wall facing to the building’s interior to create a more uniform aesthetic to provide the perfect backdrop to the artwork. Not only that, you will have a sturdy and durable venue that will keep the artwork safe and protected at all times. Music Venue In some cities, music venues are few and far between even with a booming population. Prefab steel offers a great opportunity to address an area that might otherwise be booming. Music venues definitely can benefit from steel buildings’ trussless design to create a wide open performance space on the side that can house bands, artists and their audiences comfortably. Not only that, there are plenty of easy insulation and soundproofing options to ensure that the venue doesn’t create too much in the way of sound pollution. Museum Just like with an art gallery, museums tend to benefit most from open concept interiors that can be configured to fit with the look and feel that you need in your museum. Also, steel structures are exceptionally durable and chances are the items on display will hold plenty of value. Keeping these items secure in one of our steel structures is one of the best ways to keep them safe as well as sharing them with visitors. Workshop or Studio Having a space to work out of, no matter what your medium, is important to your craft in more ways than one. Whether it’s painting, sculpting, woodworking, performance rehearsal or recording or anything else you might need a designated space for; putting it in a steel structure is one of the best moves you can make. No only will you be able to put it up in no time flat, but the long-term costs and need for maintenance will be considerably low – keeping your operation costs down and giving you the ability to invest that extra money directly back into your art. For more information on our steel buildings, call us at 1-888- 449-7756

Posted by Olympia on January 30, 2017 · Leave a Comment

Storing your RV

Steel buildings are great for a wide multitude of things, which is what makes them great no matter what your needs are. When it comes to storing RVs, fewer materials can match what steel offers so it’s imperative that you know exactly what you need so you can purchase, plan and build accordingly. There are plenty of reasons why steel is one of the best possible options you can use for RV storage, and it all boils down to how durable it is as a material. If you have an RV, chances are you will have it for a while so having a place to store it that can last just as long is extremely important. Long-Lasting The main thing about steel as a material is how strong it is and how long it can stand up to tons of elements. Steel, with the right coatings and protective paints, can withstand all kinds of weather conditions and changes for decades without needing to be replaced or repaired. It’s important to consider where you’re placing your steel building so you can anticipate just how much direct impact from changing conditions it’s going to get. Think about ways you can go about maximizing the life of your steel building even more! Protection Prefab steel buildings provide RVs with unprecedented protection from the outdoors and other things like theft. Steel is one of the strong materials so along with a highly functional lock system, your structure will be highly secure. Think of the RV as an investment, and your steel building is one of the best lines of defense you have in protecting it. Your steel building itself is also an investment, so it’s important to be sure that it’s serving its purpose in every possible way. Keep in mind that these structures are specifically designed to withstand all kinds of different conditions, so they’re much better for housing something as expensive as an RV as opposed to buildings made from other materials like wood or concrete. Steel is also lightweight, so there’s much less to worry about in terms of if the building becomes damaged and parts of it fall into your RV. Concrete, for example, is a material that can rot, crack and separate after some time. Large pieces of debris could fall onto your RV and cause serious damage, but that’s something you don’t have to worry about with prefab steel! Flexibility Just because you’re using your steel structure to store your RV, that doesn’t mean that’s all it can ever be. The beauty of steel buildings is that these structures are highly flexible and can be used in plenty of ways. You can always have a building whose main function is storing your RV, but you can also add storage areas, a loft space and more so that you can do that and so much more. You could even have it double as a workshop so that in the event that your RV needs any type of servicing, it can all be done in the same place.There’s nothing better than having your steel building be multi-functional. For more information on our steel buildings, call us at 1-888- 449-7756

Posted by Olympia on January 22, 2017 · Leave a Comment

Buildings in the Transportation World

There are tons of industries that employ the use of buildings, especially of the prefab variety, that have been bolstered by this in many ways while others could definitely benefit from using it in a more widespread way. It’s important to realize just how many industries would be simplified just with the introduction of this building method. One such area is public transportation. While we might not immediately think of prefab steel when we think of buses and trains, they’re more useful than we think. Especially for truck garages. While the vehicles themselves can’t be made from prefab steel, there are other parts of the equation that can definitely benefit and be bolstered by using prefab steel – even more than they already are. Think of subway stations, bus bays and airplane hangars and office structures made from prefab steel. When it comes to any kind of city planning, the types of methods you use to get the job done is a huge part of how well the plans are executed. Speed of Construction Typically with any type of public transportation planning, building and expanding, it’s a process that usually takes years to complete. For a booming city, this can be detrimental to have to wait for such long periods of time to get these things done. When you put prefab steel or traditional steel structures into the mix, you speed up the construction process greatly. Depending on the scale, projects that would have normally taken years can be cut down to months and offer more time and resources to complete other types of customization work. While most of the world’s largest cities already have their own systems, expansion is always occurring in order to keep up with growing populations and business booms. Using a material that can cut down on the time spend to complete said project will bring any city planning to fruition sooner and do plenty to bolster the local economy. Lack of Maintenance As many of the major public transportation systems around the world continue to age, there are constantly going to be major repairs and upgrades going on. These cause severe delays in many ways and often times they need to be re-done in a few years simply because of how often these spaces are being used on a daily basis. With pre-fab steel, you’re getting a material that will last for a much longer period of time with the right protective coatings and paints. While you might not be able to avoid maintenance altogether, you will be able to lessen the time spent fixing and redoing said repairs. Price No matter what you’re adding to the equation when it comes to transportation, chances are pretty high that it will be an expensive endeavour. Many projects cost in the hundreds of millions for huge undertakings, but even just building a new head office or vehicle storage can end up costing a pretty penny. With prefab steel, you can expect to save around 30% in comparison to buying the raw materials to buy a similarly-sized structure. For more information on our steel buildings, call us at 1-888- 449-7756

Posted by Olympia on January 13, 2017 · Leave a Comment

Protect your Garage From Ice

As we head further and further into the colder months, it’s becoming more important to protect your Garage buildings from ice and snow, and steel buildings are no different. Just like any other type of structure, you can do your part to ensure that your prefab steel building is equipped to handle the snow and ice that com along with the winter season Insulation Like most construction methods, your prefab steel building will only have so much natural insulation before it will need additional insulation to regulate the interior temperature. Insulating your building is vital in keeping the inside of your structure warm and comfortable, particularly if it’s a building that people have to use and be inside of for long periods of time. Insulation is great for extending the life of your building long after the winter months because it prevents moisture and condensation from accumulating between the interior and exterior spaces between walls and causing damage to your building over time. Weather-Resistant Stripping It will also be imperative that you fit your windows and doors with stripping that can stand up to all kinds of weather if you haven’t already. It’s a generally inexpensive thing to fix, and can be applied in about 30 minutes for less than $10 depending on how many windows and doors you have to treat. This is much less than what it might cost to fix the damage that might come with moisture getting into gaps, freezing into ice and making them wider. Appropriate Roofing Having the right roofing your your steel structure will be imperative in terms of how well it stands up to winter conditions. Be wary of the pitch of your roof so that snow and ice don’t accumulate up there without much space to slide off, adding unnecessary weight and pressure to the top of your structure. Having the right roofing is also important for the winter months so you’re able to install gutters and other extras to help guide the waste off of your roof and away from your structure. Eavestrough Having a fully functioning eavestrough is one of the most important things you can have in the winter months, and it provides a place for melting ice and snow to be washed away from your roof. Even with the correct pitch that allows said moisture to roll off your structure, the eavestrough will guide it away from the building instead of letting it fall back towards the foundation, which can cause damage over long periods of time. Inspection & Cleaning While having all of these features is important, it’s imperative that they’re kept in top shape and cleaned regularly so they remain in good working order. Before the cold weather even begins, do a full inspection and note any fixes that need to be made before the snow and ice set in. Check for any issues like holes or weak spots so you can repair it before it becomes a larger issue that will be more difficult to fix later on. As far as cleaning, clearing out the eavestrough and gutters of debris and fallen leaves from the autumn months will ensure that they’re able to drain properly. For more information on our steel buildings, call us at 1-888- 449-7756

Posted by Olympia on January 4, 2017 · Leave a Comment

Indoor Riding Arena

If you’re someone who owns, cares for and grooms horses, it’s also probable that you’d want a safe indoor space to ride them as well. Depending on where you live, riding your horse outdoors isn’t always a possibility so you’ll need to look for options that allow you to use an indoor space for it. There are a ew things that you’ll of course need to consider before you can have the perfect indoor riding arena, however. These will all be important in ensuring that your project turns out exactly the way you need it to. The Area One of the first considerations you’ll have to make for your steel riding arena is the space you choose to build on in the first place. It will be important for you to choose to building on higher ground so that any rainwater will flow away from it, and not into it. This will ensure that you have the best possible foundation for your structure, keeping it strong and firm. This foundation should be professionally laid to avoid any issues, complications or errors from occurring The Ground While you might not give it too much though, the health of the horse’s feet is depending on the type of grounding and flooring you have inside your structure. It’s important that there is enough cushioning in the form of gravel and sand between the surface materials and where the horses need to walk or run. This will prevent you from potentially injuring the animals. Think of it in the same way you would with a gym or track for sprinters. The type of material on the ground can have an impact on not only the way you run or jog, but also the physical affects on your knees, joints and feet. Structure The great thing about steel buildings is how flexible they are and how large they’re able to be to suit your needs. Our steel structures go up to 200 feet wide and unlimited lengths, which is perfect for an indoor riding arena based on how much space you’re likely to need. The length is imperative, since you’ll need lots of space for the actual riding aspect. It will also be imperative that you consider the structure’s interior, and making sure there is proper ventilation and other extras that will keep the horses safe and unharmed. Think about adding plywood to the bottom edge of the walls so the horses aren’t hitting their hoofs directly onto steel – which can not only hurt the structure itself but the horse as well. Add-Ons It will also be imperative to consider other additions that will make your indoor riding arena and functional as it can be. Think about extras lie sliding doors to make it easier for the horses to get in and out, loading and unload bay, stables and even a viewing area with seating for doing races inside your arena. There are plenty of extras that you can enjoy that are made that much easier with a prefab steel building. For more information on our steel buildings, call us at 1-888- 449-7756

Posted by Olympia on December 28, 2016 · Leave a Comment

Think About The Kids

When it comes to any kind of gymnasium, it’s important that the materials you use are able to meet certain space and height requirements so you know it’s perfect. While there are plenty of construction materials and methods out there, not all of them are the most practical when trying to put together a gym, especially for a school. Prefab steel structure kits are your absolute best bet for these types of projects for a number of reasons, namely that it will be much easier to satisfy the types of size requirements that you’re likely to require for a gym. Strength The most obvious thing about steel is how strong it is as a material, which is also bolstered by the fact that’s lightweight. Steel has one of the best strength to weight ratios of any material, which means it’s much better able to support its own weight. This gives you plenty of freedom in terms of sizing of the gymnasium itself, as you can have a much wider and larger ceiling span without needing any type of support beams or obstructive columns. Flexible Another great thing about steel buildings that would make them perfect for a school gymnasium is how flexible and versatile they are. They can be adapted to all kinds of sizes depending on how much space you need. It will be important to go into this project knowing just how much space you’re likely to need, so you can choose the right kit. The layout of the interior is all up to you and what you need your gymnasium space to look like in the end. Whether it’s separated activity areas, change rooms, offices or storage areas, you can design the inside of your steel structure however makes the most sense, and in a way that works with the rest of the school structure. Cost Effective Steel structures are one of your best options if you’re on a budget, as you will save around 30% in comparison to the cost of other types of raw materials to build a structure of the same size. Not only do you save money on these upfront costs, but you’ll also find savings in the long run as well. Steel structures end up being much cheaper in terms of utility costs since the natural insulation makes it much easier to heat and cool. You will also spend much less money on the cost of repairs and maintenance, since it’s something that steel buildings typically don’t need a lot of. Quickly Constructed As part of a school, it’s natural that you might have particular time constraints. Getting a space prepared by September of an upcoming school year can be tedious. The great thing about steel structures however, is how quickly the building itself can be erected. A project that might have traditionally take a few months can be cut down to a handful of weeks, or even days depending on how large it’s set to be. This will not only save you time, but also money and resources. If you plan to customize your gymnasium with a lot of extras, having the initial structure itself done frees up plenty of time to include these add-ons. For more information on our steel buildings, call us at 1-888- 449-7756

Posted by Olympia on December 21, 2016 · Leave a Comment

Small Building Small Price

For any startup or small business looking to open a retail location, office or manufacturing space the costs can be high. All types of planning and payment have to go into it and it can take a large financial toll on any business, but particularly one that’s just starting out. It’s important to remember that there are many more options besides the wood, brick and concrete options currently out there for more structures, especially ones of a commercial nature. Steel framing is also popular, but there’s plenty of reasons why prefabricated steel sided buildings are also an excellent idea for small businesses and startup companies. Lower Cost On average, you can hope to save about 30% in terms of costs when compared to the cost of buying raw materials to build a similarly sized structure. That’s great for upfront cost, but there are also many long-term costs that you will save on also. The construction process itself will prove cheaper, since the construction method itself will only require general labour instead of specialized; and for a much shorter period of time than with other buildings. Steel’s natural insulation means that with the addition of heating and cooling appliances, you will be much better able to control the temperature without your appliances going into overdrive; saving you hundreds of dollars a year in utility costs. This is important for business just starting out because they tend to have a bit less capital to start off and the revenue during the first few years will be put right back into the business, so upfront costs as well as ongoing expenses are important to keep relatively low. Fast Construction Unlike other forms of construction, steel is one of the fastest and most efficient. A project that might take a few weeks or even months can be completed in days with steel buildings thanks to its easy DIY-friendly method. This is especially important for small businesses that will need their new building to be open as soon as possible so they can start or continue their operations. Being able to have the project finished quicker will give the owner much more time to add any customizations, additions and interior design so that it perfectly reflects the type of business it is. Low Maintenance Steel buildings are incredibly low maintenance, giving you much more time to focus on other more important aspects of the business. The less time you spend fixing your structure, the more time you will have to actually run the business. Annual inspections are always recommended, but steel is able to stand up well to all kinds of weather and conditions while still staying in good shape. Flexibility For a company building their first office, retail or commercial space it’s very likely they want it to look like it fits perfectly with their branding. The great thing about steel buildings is how versatile they really are, giving you the ability to shape them into your vision and make it adaptable to your wants and needs. For more information on our steel buildings, call us at 1-888- 449-7756

Posted by Olympia on December 14, 2016 · Leave a Comment