FAQ

When properly constructed and maintained, steel frame buildings can last between 50 and 100 years.

Metal structures are easier and faster to build than concrete structures, while concrete structures are usually heavier and more robust, influencing the architecture of the building.

Concrete construction involves building in conjunction with other materials (reinforcing steel, etc.) to improve properties that concrete alone does not have. Steel, on the other hand, does not need another material to have the same or better properties.

Steel is 98% to 100% recyclable. Moreover, it can be recycled and reused over and over again, showing its sustainability and efficiency.

The main structure (columns and beams) is mainly made of steel. This is covered with insulated wall and roof panels or metal sheets with insulation in some cases.

Steel is strong and durable, it can take almost any shape and lightweight structures are obtained. Its high fire resistance, speed of erection and the reduction of resources and equipment on site make it a better material for factory construction than concrete or wood.

Some important factors are floor plan layout, internal clear height requirements, necessary doors and windows, and building use, among others.

Your metal frame building will arrive fully fabricated and with all the necessary connections for installation. If you are working with an experienced installer, it will be an easy task. If you need advice, we are always available to answer your questions and guide you through the process. On-site training service for installers is also available.

With proper planning and structural retrofits, metal buildings are easily expandable. Additional steel structural elements can be added alongside existing ones to create low-cost expansions.

The span of a steel beam depends on two main factors: the size of the beam and the value of the load it must support. Larger beams can carry larger loads and have larger spans. However, this has architectural and economic implications that are important to consider.  A larger beam requires a larger column.

When it comes to outdoor metal structures, the steel must be protected from corrosion with paint according to its needs. A metal frame building near the coast may require more and better quality paint coating than one located in a non-coastal city.

You can construct any building with a metal structure. Due to its good performance under design loads, you can achieve large spans useful for factories, schools, gymnasiums, supermarkets, sports facilities, and hospitals, or you can design smaller spaces to suit offices, and small warehouses, among other.

Yes, with the right quality materials and the right advice, you can build a cold room that fits your needs using metal framing. You can find more information here.

In general, when constructing a steel structure building, the costs related to the primary structure, secondary structure, and cladding materials represent 30% of the total cost of the project. If we provide you with a quotation, we can give you an approximate idea of how much the whole project could be valued based on our experience and our offer for the steel structure and materials.

The combination of a metal structure designed for hurricane-risk areas and the benefits of using insulated wall and roof panels gives the building better properties and equal or better resistance to hurricanes. You can learn more about this topic in this article on metal frame buildings and natural disasters.

The steel of your metal building can be designed to perform well in the face of a temperature rise due to fire. This means that, although no material can resist 100% to the power of fire, it is proven that it can give you enough time for a safe evacuation in the event of a potential fire. You can learn more about this topic in this blog post about the fire resistance of prefabricated buildings.

Yes, the structural design considers the seismic loads recommended by the local codes, that is to say that we design so that the building is stable in the place where you want to build it and therefore, if it is a seismic zone, you can be sure that your building will be safe.

Yes, a brick wall is as vulnerable to break-in as a sheet metal or insulated panels wall.