Steel Estate: Convert Your Metal Building into a Custom Home

Metal Image: What is Your Dream House?

For so many of us, the ideal home is not a place – it’s a feeling. You have a list of custom options in your head; you picture yourself serving brunch on the deck or curling up in front of a stone fireplace. If you’re a potential buyer in the current real estate market, the soaring prices and limited inventory may discourage you. However, you don’t have to settle! The custom-house you desire is far more affordable than you think, thanks to prefab metal building! Steel Buildings are easily converted into beautiful, custom homes, with every stylish amenity on your must-have list. Eco-friendly and energy-efficient, DIY metal buildings are the future of custom housing

Metal Metamorphosis: From Carport to Castle

In any DIY, you need a game plan. When converting a steel building into a home, you should begin with county codes. Call your local office and ensure that you have the necessary permits for residential property on your land.  If your prefab metal building was originally constructed for industrial or commercial use, the plumbing and electrical will need to be inspected and brought up to code for a residence.

Once you’ve covered all the bureaucratic bases, you need to assess the roof. Most metal building roofs have warranties for twenty to forty years, depending on the manufacturer. Metal roofs are prized for their durability and energy-efficient design. When properly maintained, a steel roof can last even longer than forty years. However, depending on location and snow loads, your roof may need to be reinforced for certification with residential occupation. Those calculations will need to be handled by a building inspector.

At last, it’s time to design your dream house! Talk to a licensed building inspector who has experience with steel buildings about designing a floorplan. The clear span space created by metal buildings means that there are no support beams in the center of your home, so you have a blank canvas. Indulge in wide-open flow or craft a dozen rooms for storage and privacy. The flexibility of prefab metal buildings is one of the most fun benefits!

Prefab metal buildings are well-sealed and highly conductive; discuss a plan with your contractor to promote ventilation and airflow. They may suggest adding extra windows and entries. Metal buildings are valued for their energy efficiency, but experts still recommend adding insulation and sheetrock to your home’s interior. A licensed inspector will also go over R-value requirements for insulation, depending on your environment and location. They should discuss the various types of insulation with you, fiberglass versus loose-fill, and the pros and cons of each. You may want to evaluate the usefulness of a vapor barrier, depending on the temperature fluctuations in your climate. Don’t overlook the need for additional insulation in the attic, where most homes experience heat loss. Not only will insulation and sheetrock create a more cozy ambiance, but they will also soundproof the interior of your steel building against the weather.

If you live in an area with extremely stormy weather, you should consider additional safety measures for your metal building. Some homeowners reinforce anchor points for stability against high winds or work in stronger trusses for roof reinforcement. Your inspector or contractor can go over these details with you and advise you on their necessity.

The most exciting part of converting a metal building into your custom home? The options available to you are endless! Where traditional stick-built custom homes charge exorbitant rates and take several months to build, you can cut the timeline in half and fashion the interior design yourself. Once permits are acquired, insulation is spread, and electricity is up to code, the only limit in your home is your imagination.  Grab your paint samples, browse the cabinetry, and start dreaming!

Steel or No Steel: Why Metal is Better Than Wood

The benefits of metal over timber simply come down to durability, responsibility, and affordability. Steel is a ductile material, meaning that it is capable of absorbing energy from impacts and withstanding high winds and snow loads. Most prefab metal buildings come with extended warranties, backed by manufacturers who are confident in the long-term endurance of their products.

Metal buildings are environmentally responsible; they are fabricated without toxic chemicals and, thus, create a healthier indoor air quality than wood. Wood and other organic materials break down over time, releasing particles and allergens into air circulation. Did you know that eco-friendly steel is the most recycled construction material? It’s energy-efficient and 100% recyclable!

Best of all, your budget will love the prices available on prefab metal buildings. While traditional housing becomes more and more expensive, a personalized metal home becomes more and more appealing.

According to L.I. Wilder, “Home is the nicest word there is.” Perhaps, the nicest home is the metal building you have made your own.

Author Bio

Lucerin Saldana

Lurian writes for topics like Home Improvement, Kitchen decor, Garden, or travel-related topics additionally; he has had a passion for the metal building industry for more than ten years, Dean has become an experienced building specialist in this industry. His goal is to help people with his vast knowledge to assist them with his best suggestions about different Metal Buildings such as Metal garages, Church Buildings, barns, Metal Carports, utility buildings, and commercial structures.