Steel commercial buildings, also known as PEMB or prefab commercial buildings, are the most popular building structures in the US. These days, 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 are many compelling factors that explain why steel commercial buildings are dominating the new construction market.
Begin with an initial project consultation to identify key needs and set clear goals. Our team will develop conceptual designs, prepare preliminary sketches, and provide you with a detailed quote so you know what to expect right from the start.
After reviewing the initial designs, you’ll approve the final layout and contract. We’ll then coordinate the fabrication timeline and provide an estimated materials delivery date, ensuring everyone is aligned before proceeding to the next stage.
Our engineers produce stamped permit drawings based on your project’s complexity:
With approved drawings in hand, your contractor handles permits, sitework, and foundation preparation. This pre-construction phase—securing necessary permits, performing site grading, and forming/pouring the foundation—usually spans 4–8 weeks, setting the stage for a smooth installation.
We finalize production schedules and prepare your materials for shipment. Throughout this phase, we maintain open communication, ensuring that you, your contractor, and our team are coordinated for an efficient delivery and installation process.
Once materials are delivered, your contractor begins the metal building system (MBS) installation. Depending on complexity and site conditions, this can take 1–3 months, during which we remain focused on providing a quality, durable structure that meets your expectations.
After installation, you’ll join your installer in a thorough walkthrough to ensure everything meets your specifications. Your satisfaction is our priority, and we’ll continue to offer support should you need any future assistance or modifications.
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:
Commercial flex space is a type of steel commercial building that offers multi-functional spaces for your business. A 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.
Set up a commercial warehouse flex space that combines the functionality of an office for administrative duties and a warehouse for storage needs.
Beyond the popular combination of warehousing and offices, your flex space real estate can explore warehousing with a showroom or fulfillment center.
Build a versatile flex space property that accommodates manufacturing activities and related functions within a single structure.
Flex space real estate is designed with adaptability that enables transition between different manufacturing needs and processes while incorporating spaces for related operations.
Retail flex spaces combines mainstream retail spaces with dedicated storage areas, providing an all-around solution for business operations.
With this setup, you can easily oversee and manage inventory on location, minimizing the reliance on off-site storage facilities and simplifying logistical processes.
A flex space property offers endless possibilities for customization, such as car dealerships and auto shops, breweries and taprooms, studios, and galleries.
You can customize commercial flex buildings to deliver adaptable spaces that meet various business needs and are tailored to different industries.
For over 24 years, SteelCo Buildings has delivered top-quality pre-engineered metal building (PEMB) materials and self-storage solutions. From prefab kits to custom designs, we provide 100% American-manufactured, sustainable materials backed by stamped foundation plans and expert guidance on permits and zoning. With decades of experience and a 92% satisfaction rate, SteelCo combines superior quality with unmatched customer support to ensure every project’s success.
"I looked along and hard for a steel building supplier...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!"
"SteelCo helped us build our dream barndominium. We explained what we wanted for our building and they exceeded our expectations! We had excellent help in planning as well as some great suggestions by the SteelCo team. All SteelCo team members we spoke with were extremely professional and responsive, which made the whole process smooth sailing."
"...Everyone is quick to getting you a quote but not everyone treats you with the respect and professionalism that SteelCo has done. I chose SteelCo because it didn't feel like a "sales guy" calling me and making me rush into something...I made what felt like a thousand changes to my building...but they never sounded upset or made me feel like I was wasting their time..."
Our growth measured in units, SF, and states served
Get answers to common questions about our self-storage building kits, customization options, and services.
A flex space or flex space property is a type of commercial real estate designed to accommodate a wide range of business activities within a single facility.
These spaces are characterized by their adaptability and multifunctional use, making them ideal for businesses that combine office, industrial, retail, or storage functions in one location.
Generally, you can expect to pay between $6 and $10 per square foot to erect a steel building. For “small” projects under 100,000 square feet, it costs around $110 to $150 per sq ft for the full construction cost (including materials, interior build-out, and construction). For 200,000 SF projects and up, the cost per square foot can start to reduce significantly.
The construction timeline depends on various factors, such as the size, complexity, and location of the project.
Learn more on our FAQs page.
Flex space properties must comply with the permitted uses outlined in the zoning district where the property is located. For example, a flex space in an industrial zone may be allowed to have manufacturing and warehousing operations but may face restrictions on retail or office uses.
Some areas have mixed-use zoning that accommodates commercial, residential, and industrial uses, which can be ideal for flex spaces. It’s essential to consult with local planning departments, zoning attorneys, or professional consultants to ensure compliance with all relevant regulations and to streamline the approval process.
Although prefab steel commercial buildings require 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:
Learn more in our article on Care and Maintenance Tips for Your Steel Building.
Yes — pre-engineered metal buildings (PEMBs) offer exceptional flexibility in both layout and aesthetics. You can tailor the interior floor plan, ceiling height, and wall placement to match your operational needs while selecting façade finishes like brick, EIFS, glass storefronts, or architectural panels to achieve a professional look. This adaptability allows for cohesive branding and long-term scalability as your business evolves.
Learn more by downloading our Design Capabilities Guide for steel buildings. You can also start fleshing out your own creative design ideas using our 3D Model Tool on our Steel Building Design page.
Absolutely. Steel buildings can be designed with high-performance insulation systems, cool-coated roof panels, and reflective wall materials to significantly reduce energy costs. When paired with proper ventilation, daylighting strategies, and optional solar integration, PEMB structures can meet or exceed today’s IECC energy code standards for commercial facilities.
Commercial steel buildings often qualify for a variety of financing options, including traditional bank loans, SBA 504/7(a) programs, and equipment or real-estate financing. For owner-occupied properties, many lenders favor steel construction because of its longevity, insurability, and predictable resale value. Partnering with an experienced design-build team can also help streamline the appraisal and underwriting process.
Learn more about the financing options for steel buildings.
Yes — one of the biggest advantages of PEMB systems is ease of expansion. Future additions can be integrated seamlessly by removing endwall panels and extending the building frame. This allows businesses to scale operations without costly reconstruction or lengthy downtime, making steel a long-term, future-proof investment.
Steel flex and commercial buildings serve an array of industries — from auto repair shops, retail storefronts, and breweries to light manufacturing, self-storage, and distribution centers. Their clear-span interiors and customizable layouts support both customer-facing spaces and operational back-end areas, offering the versatility modern businesses need.
See more on common business and storefront examples in our Usage section below the fold.
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