STEEL COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS

Commercial metal buildings have become the most popular type of new construction because of the many benefits that steel and PEMBs have over other construction materials and building types.

The Versatility of Commercial Steel Buildings

Steel commercial buildings, also known as PEMB or prefab commercial buildings, are the most popular building structures in the US. Between 75% and 80% of new commercial and corporate construction is comprised of steel. The popularity of commercial metal buildings is driven by their versatility—offering a flexible, expandable, and multi-purpose workspace with no limit to the type of building that can be constructed. Also, modern steel buildings can be 40% more energy-efficient than those built 20 years ago and have higher insulation and thermal efficiency on average than their traditional counterparts due to high-quality insulation systems and better air sealing from precision engineering and construction.

There is no limit to the type of commercial metal buildings that can be constructed. Customize your property just how you want with durable, cost-effective, and versatile commercial steel buildings. Also, streamline your business with commercial flex space capabilities, which enables multi-purpose uses and combines elements of warehouse, office, retail space, and more into a single building.

Here’s a list of just a few of the business categories and commercial building types that have embraced steel-framed pre-engineered buildings:

Auto shops
Auto dealerships
Car washes
Fire stations
Fitness centers / Gyms
Golf cart storage
Offices
Retail stores
Self-storage facilities
Strip malls / Shopping centers

There are many compelling factors that explain why steel commercial buildings are dominating the new construction market, and we’ll go over several of them below.

Why Steel Commercial Buildings Are Popular

Clear Span Construction

Steel frames can support expansive structures without needing load-bearing walls or columns. This clear span design provides more usable space, making it ideal for storing large items such as cars or boats.

Our steel self-storage buildings can span up to 350’ wide and 100’ high, offering maximum flexibility.

Did You Know?

Prefabricated and pre-engineered metal buildings (PEMBs) are known for their modularity and expandability, making them highly versatile for various applications.

The modular nature of PEMBs stems from their design, which involves standardized components such as beams, columns, panels, and fasteners which can be easily interchangeable.

Inexpensive yet Sturdy

Commercial steel buildings and commercial flex spaces are affordable. Steel is less expensive than wood because it requires less maintenance. Steel is impervious to termites, for example, as well as mold, mildew and rot.

Cost-savings for commercial steel buildings also come from less maintenance over time along with quicker construction times due to prefabricated parts taking less time to put together.

Sturdy

And steel flex space property buildings are also sturdy. Their component parts are crafted from top quality materials made to withstand high winds up to 120 mph (category 3 hurricanes) and heavy snow loads.

In areas prone to hurricanes or tornadoes, PEMBs can be designed to withstand wind speeds of up to 180 mph (category 6+) or more. This involves using stronger materials, additional bracing, and enhanced connections.

Customizable & Expandable

Prefabricated steel commercial buildings do not have to be a one-size-fits-all proposition. Buildings can be customized to any size, to receive any type of door opening system, with several floors if desired.

Wooden buildings need columns or load-bearing walls to hold up the ceiling. This is not the case with steel which means that there’s plenty of space within the building to design it as you wish, not as columns or walls dictate.

Did You Know?

This adaptability makes PEMBs ideal for industries requiring scalable solutions, such as warehousing, manufacturing, industrial, flex space / commercial spaces, and more offering both initial efficiency and long-term flexibility.

This modular design allows for easy expansion. As business needs grow, additional sections can be seamlessly integrated into the existing structure without significant disruption.

Quick & Easy to Erect

Steel commercial flex space prefabricated steel frame and steel panels, a building can be erected in weeks rather than months. This is of course ideal for businesses that want to hit the ground running as soon as possible.

Typically, PEMBs can be constructed 30% to 50% faster than conventional stick-built buildings. The exact time savings can vary based on the complexity of the project, site conditions, and local labor availability.

How Quick?

There’s no need to wait months and months for your commercial flex space property or flex office space to be erected and constructed.

Time is money and you'll have less downtime needing to wait to start your new business, move into a much needed HQ expansion, utilize warehousing and/or industrial space, etc.

Lower Maintenance & Insurance

Commercial steel buildings are inexpensive to maintain & have lower insurance premiums on average. Insurance for steel buildings can be up to 30% lower than their wood-framed counterparts.

This reduction is due to steel's superior fire resistance, durability, and resistance to pests and environmental damage.

Did You Know?

Because steel doesn't burn or combust, steel commercial building and commercial flex spaces are typically rewarded with lower premiums by insurance agencies as the safer nature of these buildings equates to less insurance risk.

Attractive & Long-Lasting

Last but not least, the exteriors of steel commercial buildings are attractive. The lines are sleek and square, and a variety of color options are available. In addition, it’s possible to add facades to the building – brick, wood, stone – to increase that attractiveness.

This flexibility allows for customization in shape, color, & texture, creating visually appealing structures that fit diverse environments, from industrial parks to commercial centers.

Long-Lasting

If not properly cared for, wooden buildings and paint can weather, fade, and peel in just a few years. That’s not the case with steel-framed pre-engineered storage buildings. Top-quality PBR panels come in a wide variety of long-lasting, non-fade colors with paint warranties that typically last 20+ years.

This durability is due to steel's resistance to common issues that affect other building materials, such as rot, termites, and warping. Steel's structural integrity under various environmental conditions also contributes to its long-lasting performance.

Other reasons…

Sustainability
Prefab commercial buildings offer significant environmental benefits. These buildings are sustainable, featuring steel with high recycled content, often over 90%. The entire structure can be recycled at the end of its life, minimizing waste. So if your business needs change down the road or the city wants to repurpose your site, for example, it’s nice to know that steel is recyclable OR you can choose to easily expand your existing building due to the inherent modular properties of pre-engineered steel commercial buildings.

Compliance With Commercial Codes
Steel buildings are often engineered to meet and exceed commercial building codes more effectively than wood buildings. Their strength, fire resistance, structural integrity, sustainability, and design flexibility make them a preferred choice for many commercial applications. Wood buildings, while still viable, may require additional treatments and reinforcements to comply with the same stringent requirements.

Suitable For Any Climate
Prefab commercial buildings can be built in any region – from mild climates where the temperature never gets too warm or too cold, to the harsher climates where temps climb over 100° during summer months or plunge to below 0 for weeks on end during the winter. Steel-framed buildings are sturdy to stand up to wind storms, they can be insulated against the cold and against the heat. Steel buildings are also more energy efficient than wooden buildings.

Unify Operations with Commercial Flex Spaces

Commercial flex space is a type of steel commercial building that offers multi-functional spaces for your business. Flex office space is a growing popular example. Whether for production, storage, distribution, or core operations, a commercial flex space combines industrial, office, and sometimes retail spaces and more within a single building or complex. You can adapt the workspace or expand your building according to changing needs. Commercial flex space or flex space real estate can be used in a variety of combinations to suit different business needs.

From flex warehouses to retail, manufacturing, and other buildings, flex space real estate brings significant multi-functionality to commercial steel buildings, making them a preferred choice for many businesses.

Quick Tips for Prefab Commercial Buildings

Although prefab steel commercial buildings are less maintenance intensive than other types of buildings, they still need to be looked after. Additionally, exterior veneer and decorative elements may commonly be materials other than steel, so care for those material types also need to be taken into consideration.

Here are a few tips to protect your investment and ensure the building remains functional, attractive, and holds value:

Wash the exterior of the building every couple of months. This is primarily for corrosion prevention from contaminants and energy efficiency, but also for aesthetic and commercial appeal.
During the winter, check the roof after every snow fall. Although your roof is designed to bear heavy loads, it’s best to remove snow if it’s over four inches high.
Make sure you check gutters and drains periodically and clean out bird’s nests, leaves and so on. Why put gutters on a steel building? To make sure that rain water and snow melt run off away from your sidewalks and in particular your doors. Not only will this protect the foundation of your building, but your customers will appreciate it as well.

Regular maintenance of your prefab steel commercial building ensures its longevity, functionality, and aesthetic appeal. By following these simple tips, you can protect your investment, maintain its value, and provide a safe and welcoming environment for your employees and/or customers.

Working With SteelCo on Your Steel Commercial Building

For over 23 years, SteelCo Buildings has been dedicated to providing quality PEMB materials nationwide and exceptional commercial construction services across Georgia and Tennesee. Our team boasts 100+ years of combined experience in commercial steel building (PEMB) materials, design-build, and construction services. As a locally awarded general contractor, we have successfully managed and delivered projects exceeding 200,000 square feet in various sectors, including company HQs, commercial flex spaces, industrial buildings, manufacturing facilities, distribution centers, self-storage facilities, retail/mixed-use developments, and more.

We are happy to speak with clients about every aspect of your commercial project and investment, whether you are purchasing one of our standardized steel commercial building kits or whether you need to consult with us on a customized design. We also offer guidance that helps our clients navigate the processes of building permits, zoning, and local ordinances. And we’re seasoned — we have been supplying floor plans and pre-engineered commercial steel building materials to SMBs and enterprise businesses nationwide for two decades. We are able to provide not only “stock” building (stamped engineering) plans for businesses, but also custom-designed plans to suit any business need or function.

Lastly, at SteelCo we take pride in delivering customer service above and beyond what our clients expect. That’s on top of our quality pre-engineered steel frames and panels. In the starting stages of your commercial building project or flex space property, we strongly encourage potential clients to discuss their needs with at least two commercial metal building manufacturers to gauge pricing and experience levels. With SteelCo, we’re confident you’ll see the difference. Reach out to us for a consultation on your project today.

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Why Choose SteelCo?

     Excellent  
     Based on 66 reviews 
    
 
 
   
 
 
        
   Benjamin Gates 
 2023-10-06
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. These guys have been great to work with.  I have dealt with Joseph and Brad, and they have been total professionals.  Look forward to working with them again!
  
 
       
   Toni Houtz 
 2023-05-09
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Ben Childers went above and beyond helping me design and quote storage buildings.  With guys like Ben Childers I will be coming back with follow up business.
Thank You
Donald B Houtz
  
 
       
   tony biddle 
 2023-02-28
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Clint was great to deal with, building material quality was very good. They even recommended a great 3rd party to construct the buildings for me. I would use them again.
  
 
       
   Brandon Wiggins 
 2022-09-22
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I used SteelCo for my most recent building addition at our self storage facility. Clint and Brad were great to work with from start to finish. I would highly recommend them if you are in the market for a metal building.
  
 
       
   michael johnson 
 2022-03-29
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Had a project I was working on and contacted Clint Neely. Although it wasn't a huge project, he was very helpful. Within 24 hours I had a price, and he came and met me later that day to sign the order......In less than a week, materials were dropped, and work has begun. Couldn't be happier with Steelco or with Clint. Thanks!
  
 
       
   Mx8 Mx8 
 2022-03-28
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Buiding will be delivered in a few weeks.  So far Steel co buildings has been very helpful, always up to date on what's going on.  Never had a problem getting a hold of anyone.
  
 
       
   Michelle Wilkerson 
 2022-03-22
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Clint Neely was very helpful and the entire team is professional.  I highly recommend the Steelco team for any industrial buildings you may need
  
 
       
   Joey Ayash 
 2022-03-01
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I looked along and hard for a steel building supplier turns out steelco was very close and I gave brad and Ben a call, they took care of everything including all the changes and extras for my building!  Great experience from start to finish ! I'll be a repeat customer! Thanks again Brad and Ben and all the steelco employees that made my building !
  
 
       
   Jennifer Hutchins 
 2022-02-28
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I would highly recommend SteelCo Buildings and especially Clint Neely.  He was very responsive and knowledgeable and the whole experience with Clint was unbelievable.  Wish more companies had people like Clint working for them.  Super excited to enjoy our lake house this summer.  Thank you SteelCo and Clint for an amazing experience.  HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS COMPANY!!