What Is a Pre-Engineered Metal Building

Pre-engineered metal buildings — also referred to simply as prefab metal buildings — are commercial, industrial and agricultural buildings that are created in a factory setting using standardized parts. These parts are then transported to the building site and assembled by a contractor.

Pre-engineered metal buildings can be adapted to a wide range of uses, including office buildings, retail spaces, warehouses, manufacturing facilities and agricultural storage. They are often chosen for their durability, flexibility and cost-effectiveness.

Advantages of Prefabricated Metal Buildings

There are many advantages to choosing a pre-engineered metal building over a traditional stick-built structure. Some of the benefits of prefab metal buildings include:

Cost-effective — Prefab metal buildings are typically more affordable than traditional stick-built structures. The use of standardized components and assembly line construction techniques helps to keep costs down.
Flexible — Metal buildings can be used as office buildings, retail spaces, warehouses, manufacturing facilities and agricultural storage.
Durable — Pre-engineered metal buildings are designed to withstand high winds, heavy snow loads and seismic activity. They are also resistant to fire, termites and mold.
Low maintenance — Metal buildings require little upkeep and are easy to clean. They are also resistant to rot, insect damage and corrosion.
Fast construction — Prefabricated metal buildings can often be erected in a matter of weeks, which is much faster than traditional stick-built structures.
Eco-friendly — Metal buildings are made from recycled materials and are 100% recyclable at the end of their lifespan.

Modular Construction Vs. Prefab

Modular construction is a type of prefabrication where individual sections or modules of a building are built in a factory and then transported to the job site. Modular construction is similar to pre-engineered metal buildings in that they are both faster and easier to erect than traditional stick-built structures.

The main difference between modular construction and prefabricated metal buildings is that with modular construction, the individual modules are often custom-built to the specifications of the project, whereas with prefabricated metal buildings, all the building components are mass-produced in a factory according to standard sizes.

Both modular construction and prefabricated metal buildings have their advantages and disadvantages, so it’s important to weigh all factors before deciding which option is best for your project.

Conventional Steel Buildings Vs. Prefabricated Metal Buildings

There are several key differences between conventional steel buildings and prefabricated metal buildings, which include:

Erection Time — One of the biggest advantages of prefabricated metal buildings is that they can be erected much faster than traditional steel buildings. This is because the components are manufactured in a factory and then shipped to the job site where they are assembled. This can save a significant amount of time and money on construction costs.
Cost — Prefabricated metal buildings are often more cost-effective than traditional steel buildings because they are mass-produced in a factory, which reduces labor costs.
Flexibility — Prefabricated metal buildings are more flexible than traditional steel buildings because they can be designed to meet specific needs. For example, they can be designed with larger doors to accommodate oversized equipment.

Choose Super Structures For Your Prefab Buildings

Super Structures has tons of experience in the design and construction of prefabricated metal buildings. We offer a wide variety of pre engineered building types that can be customized to meet your specific needs. Contact us today to learn more about our pre engineered buildings!