Is A Steel Garage For You? Probably. There Are Tons Of Benefits To Buying A Steel Garage. Click Here To Read All About Them.
Are you thinking of expanding your space? Have you considered including a garage for extra storage space? Maybe you’re probably thinking of constructing a garage made of wood.
But, a modern alternative solution to wood that you can consider is steel as a material for your steel garage. You can never go wrong with steel.
Thus, if you’re wondering if steel is suitable for you, then continue reading for its excellent benefits.
History Of Steel
The use of steel dates back to the introduction of iron which is a primary component in steel. Bronze was a popular metal in use then until steel’s solid and hard characteristics came to light and replaced it.
Factors To Consider When Choosing A Steel Garage
Steel garages come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors as well. These factors can help you narrow down on the suitable steel garage for you.
Purpose of the Garage
Your garage use will influence the design and insulation of your garage. For example, if you want to create warm habit conditions in your garage, you can opt for double steel wall panels to maximize insulation.
Ask yourself what purpose you need the garage to serve. Whether you need to park your vehicle or store equipment, the answer will guide you in drafting the right design.
Price Range
Depending on your budget, you can opt for a small garage or an oversized garage. Steel material is cheap. If the purchase of construction materials lies within your budget, you can consider scaling up your garage to a bigger size.
A contractor can give you an estimate on the cost of construction. Then, using the assessment, you can perform a pro-rata analysis on the costs to decide whether to commit more money to the material or size of the building.
Outdoor Space
The space of your outdoor area will determine the construction of your outdoor storage unit. For example, a small backyard will only fit a smaller sized steel garage and vice versa.
Weather Conditions
The weather conditions of your home will also influence the type of steel garage for your home. Areas with high temperatures will need the addition of an awning to create shade to protect your structure.
If you live close to the beach or in a salty environment, you should consider a steel garage with coatings to slow down the rate of rust.
Building Accessories
Some outdoor units may require add-ons to support their functioning and durability, depending on your location, for instance, in an area that experiences longer hours of the scorching sun. Besides, you may consider the installation of overhangs or awnings to protect the garage from sun damage.
Also, downspouts and gutters should be mandatory installations to spew out debris and water from your garage’s roof.
Steel Vs. Wood
Wood is an inexpensive option for construction. But, despite that, its specific attributes make it unsuitable for the construction of outdoor storage.
Durability and Strength
Both wood and steel are strong materials to use for construction. Structures made of timber frames take advantage of joinery connections that enable the system to last long.
But, wood is susceptible to rot, damp and fires, unlike steel. So despite wood being a solid material for construction, steel should be your perfect choice.
Installation and Fabrication
Manufacture of wood involves the harvesting of timber, cutting it, and processing it for different uses. This process does not take place at the same location. Instead, you will have to transport the wood for processing at a different location.
Although cutting timber for wood is not linked to deforestation, it is advisable to avoid using wood if you avidly support the environment and its protection.
On the other hand, the process of manufacturing steel differs significantly from the fabrication of steel. Steel fabrication is relatively easy, and it happens in one place, unlike wood. All you need is to transport the raw material for the fabrication process.
Installation of steel is also easy. Again, a team of unskilled labor can do it. But, you may find that installation of wood, especially the frame structure, may need the use of specialized skill sets.
Maintenance
With a wood structure, you may end up undergoing frequent maintenance to prevent it from rotting. As mentioned earlier, wood is susceptible to rot and dampness.
An ideal practice to keep wood from rotting is through painting or staining. But, if you fail to maintain your wood structure, your building’s structural construct could soon weaken, resulting in its collapse.
Comparatively, steel also requires maintenance, but not as often. With a steel structure, you will experience rusting only if the system is exposed to water. But, you can counter this effect with paint to keep your facility free from moisture.
Insulation
As a homeowner, insulation is an essential element for every home. Steel transfers heat from one area to another. Thus, this attribute makes steel an excellent insulating material for outdoor office space than wood, which retains heat.
Aesthetic Appeal
Naturally, wood has a warm and safe appeal attached to it. Thus, most people opt for timber because of the traditional feel it brings. But, steel is commonly used to construct buildings of a commercial nature due to its stylistic and modern properties.
Based on the comparison above, steel is an ideal construction material to consider for your metal garage. But, if you are not convinced yet, here are more benefits of using steel material for your storage unit.
Benefits Of A Steel Garage
A steel garage has numerous advantages, and they are not limited to:
Value for Your Money
When installing metal garages, they are cheaper than other construction materials. Conventional wood garages may cost you more to construct and maintain.
As mentioned before, wood material is susceptible to rot and dampness. Thus, you will need to repair your garage to ensure its structure is sound frequently.
Heightened Safety
With strong characteristics, steel can withstand any harsh weather. You may notice from historical events where extreme weather takes place, houses that end up totaled are made up of wood material.
With steel, you are assured of safety in the event of any extreme weather events. Also, with a steel storage unit, you can store away your items without the fear of a fire outbreak consuming your entire structure.
Improved Efficiency
Steel is a more dense material compared to concrete and wood. Thus, a steel garage will be more efficient in supporting the heaviest of weights.
Furthermore, with the application of tension, you can mold steel into your desired shape. This allows you to achieve the structural support you want with less steel material.
Cheaper Option
Comparatively, steel is a cheaper option for your garage business than other construction materials. Aside from saving on costs, you end up not compromising on the safety or durability of your building with a steel garage.
Sustainability
You won’t go wrong with outdoor steel storage if you are an avid protector of the environment. Steel is recyclable. Instead of disposing of it, you can refabricate it for further use.
If you want to dispose of the steel structure in a landfill, steel companies will still locate the material to repurpose it for different use. This means it’s unlike other construction material that becomes obsolete upon disposal.
Steel can maintain its structural support function and can be refabricated to serve a different purpose. Also, steel is a light construction material.
Transportation of the material to your home then becomes more manageable. Besides, you don’t have to source for a heavy commercial truck to help with the transportation, saving more money.
Furthermore, when it comes to energy efficiency, you can save on energy with a metal garage. This is because the transfer of heat occurs within a storage unit made of steel. This attribute helps you to save on your HVAC bills.
Besides, during cold seasons, you can improve your steel’s insulation properties with the addition of double steel panel walls.
Fast to Construct and Install
Suppose you’re looking into fast construction for your garage. First, it would be best to opt for steel as the construction material. Then, depending on the design, you desire. You can have the pre-fabrication process at the factory and have the parts sent to you for assembly.
With steel, you can construct your garage as a simple DIY project, alone or with your family. But, when in doubt, you can always seek the services of competent contractors to offer a helping hand.
Factors To Consider When Choosing A Steel Garage Contractor
When it comes to constructing your steel garage, it would be best to ensure you hire the right services. The factors below will help you narrow down to a competent contractor for your garage construction:
License and Insurance
A competent contractor will have the necessary licenses and certification to carry out their work. Most states require contractors to have a general contractor license. Registration with the state before taking up any construction work is also necessary.
More so. A competent contractor will also have general liability insurance to shield them from out-of-pocket costs in case of damage to your property.
Since construction involves risky activities that may harm employees, ensure the contractor has workers’ compensation coverage.
Professionalism
A professional contractor will stick to formal engagements that include a proper trail of paperwork. Of course, some contractors may opt to work alone instead of a company; but, this should not be an excuse for non-professionalism.
Before any engagement, a competent contractor would draw up a quotation itemizing each cost. Such a contractor will also provide advice on the construction of your steel garage design.
If your potential contractor exhibits any level of unprofessionalism, you can change and go back to scouting for another. But, do not compromise on your garage’s construction by hiring less competent individuals.
Reputation and Recommendation
An easier way of finding reputable contractors is through recommendations from their clients. Besides, you can inquire from your family, friends, or colleagues about the reliable contractors they can recommend.
Or, you can use third-party review sites that give feedback on the delivery of various services. For example, a company may have a section for reviews and feedback on its website. Consider reviewing it for an insight on their service delivery.
Communication
Open communication is essential when selecting a contractor for the construction of your steel garage. It should exist right from the onset of the contractual works to its termination.
Suppose you’re experiencing difficulty communicating with your contractor. Consider looking for a different contractor that expresses openness in their communication to guide you through the process.
Extra Services
The right contractor will go the extra mile of making necessary permit applications on your behalf if required. Their application saves you the trouble of locating the offices and following up on the process.
More so, a competent contractor will allocate a grace period after the construction for any weakness in the building to reveal itself. Then, if weakness in the garage construction is noted, the contractor will repair the building at no cost.
Safety Consideration
The construction industry is prone to workplace incidents due to the risk factor it has. Therefore, your contractor and employees face a likelihood of sustaining an injury during construction or installation.
A competent professional would have safety procedures in place guiding them on executing their work. Thus, a contractor who emphasizes safety is the right fit for the job.
Besides, it provides you with enough confidence to not worry about any emerging liability issues.
Steel Garage Installation
Finally, not only does a steel garage have the benefit of extra storage space for your home, it significantly increases the resale value of your home. You can’t go wrong when you go steel.
For further information on steel garages and their installation, contact us for an array of custom-built steel garages.
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