SteelMaster Awards

As SteelMaster continues to celebrate our 30th Anniversary this year, we thought we would take a look back at our successes from last year. Please take a moment to celebrate with us. Without our customers, we would not be where we are today. Thank you!

December 2011
2011 Metal Construction News Building and Roofing Awards – 1st Place Winner- Best Metal Roofing

Metal Construction News honored SteelMaster Buildings with the Best Metal Roofing award for the Arc House project in East Hampton, NY. The Arc House is custom designed home with a SteelMaster arched corrugated metal roofing system.

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October 2011
SBA / VISA Export Video Contest – 1st Place Winner

The Export Video Contest promoted the advantages of exporting and increase awareness of government assistance available to small business exporters. VISA, which co-sponsored the contest, provided the funding for the cash award to the winners.

The contest was open to small businesses that had completed at least one export transaction. Each participant submitted one educational video of three minutes or less, highlighting how they had ventured into and achieved success with exporting.

Watch the video here.

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October 2011
The Roaring 20

Award to 20 Hampton Roads’ fastest growing, most dynamic businesses that have shown determination, perseverance and fortitude even in challenging economic times. The companies must be headquartered in the Hampton Roads area and established prior to fiscal year 2008, realized gross revenues of at least $2 million in 2011 and experience three years of growth.

- Award featured in Inside Business.
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October 2011
Commonwealth of Virginia Compass Award

SteelMaster Buildings was awarded the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Compass Award for Excellence in International Trade. The Compass Award was presented by Paul H. Grossman Jr. from the Virginia Economic Development Partnership. The purpose of the award is to recognize companies that have excelled in global trade while promoting the best interests of its employees and surrounding community, contributing to the economic health and quality of life of Virginians while positively representing the Commonwealth in the international arena.

12 To Watch Small Businesses in Virginia

12toWatchThe “12 to Watch” is an initiative of the United States Senate Productivity and Quality Award Program for Virginia (Virginia SPQA). The criteria to become one of the twelve considers—among other factors—a small business’s position today relative to high level requirements of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Baldridge Criteria for Performance Excellence, as articulated through Virginia SPQA’s Discovery Program. Small businesses selected to be one of the twelve are considered to be those poised for positive and sustainable job growth in the Commonwealth. This initiative supports and recognizes their abilities.

- Award featured in a press release from Virginia Department of Business Assistance, United States Small Business Administration, National Federation of Independent Business, Office of the Lieutenant Governor, and Commonwealth of Virginia.

July 2011
SteelMaster Home and Workshop Featured in NY Daily News

The SteelMaster home located in Rhinebeck, NY and built in 1998 was featured in the NY Daily News.
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June 2011
SteelMaster Home Featured in Wall Street Journal

The Arc House by Maziar Behrooz located in East Hampton, NY was recently featured in the Real Estate section of the Wall Street Journal.
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April 2011
Top 10 Companies to Watch in Hampton Roads

Hampton Roads Chamber’s Top 10 to Watch award was presented to ten rising new companies or companies that have entered a new market or introduced a new product.

- Award featured in Inside Business.

January 2011
The UPS Growth through Global Trade Award

Recognizes the company as the top U.S. business with fewer than 500 employees that most effectively exports to international markets. UPS created the award in 2010 while conducting a series of export seminars targeting small- and medium-sized businesses established to encourage participation in President Barack Obama’s National Export Initiative (NEI) to double U.S. exports by 2015—an increase that will support two million jobs in America

- Award featured in World Trade Magazine and Metal Construction News.
- Recognition letter received from Governor McDonnell.

Increase in Steel Salt Storage Buildings

Despite the warm weather here in Virginia Beach today, winter is just around the corner. As transportation officials prepare for the cold and snow, salt quickly becomes in high demand to keep the roads passable for travelers during the winter months. In fact, in 2009, the Environmental Protection Agency reported that approximately 11 million tons of salt are used on roadways throughout the U.S. every winter.



The salt is effective for two reasons. First, it helps prevent ice from forming in the first place as salt water freezes at a lower temperature than pure water. Second, the salt bits can help break up ice that has already formed. When a car or truck drives over the salt bits, the weight of the vehicle pushes them downward and backward. These physical forces crack and shatter the ice. The friction also melts the ice and snow, allowing more of the salt to dissolve.



In the past, highway departments stockpiled salt outdoors during the winter months. In recent years, environmentalists and scientists have determined that when a salt pile gets wet, the run-off finds its way into nearby streams and lakes or seeps into groundwater supplies. Because of this, salt must now be stockpiled indoors in industrial storage units.



For the Abbruzzese Brothers - a landscape management company in Hilliard, Ohio - and the Tennessee Department of Transportation, the need for a salt storage unit led them to SteelMaster Buildings, a provider of steel buildings and roofing systems located in Virginia Beach, VA.



Their decision to use a steel building to store their salt was based on many factors. Steel does not rot, warp, shrink, or split, and it's non-combustible. Steel is also easier to handle, stronger, and less expensive than any other common building material and weighs up to 60 percent less than wood members, which allows for easier transport and assembly.



Although salt is an extremely corrosive material, steel buildings manufactured by SteelMaster offer 100 percent usable space with a clear span arch design that eliminates beams and trusses, thus allowing for enough room to store a large, high pile of salt. The use of a stem wall foundation provides a raised platform for the walls, which helps create even more space for the salt, keeping it away from coming in contact with the steel structure. Flashing and gussets are also used to prevent the passage of water into the steel structure from any angle - an important component to help ensure that the salt stays dry, as dry salt is not nearly as corrosive as wet salt.



Anthony Moore and his brother Wayne own A & W Leasing Corporation in McKenzie, TN and have seven years experience utilizing SteelMaster steel buildings for salt storage through contracts awarded to them by the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT).



In 2003, they bought six SteelMaster Buildings for TDOT and built them themselves, a process Anthony says was not difficult at all. "SteelMaster buildings are priced right, made of top-quality steel, and are easy to construct," says Anthony. "Since we began building salt storage buildings for TDOT in 2003, we have put up eight SteelMaster buildings altogether for that purpose. Each building stores 2,200 tons of salt, and there is plenty of room for the dump trucks and front end loaders to get in there to dump the salt. I had a person from Pennsylvania call me back in August who was interested in buying a SteelMaster for the same purpose and wanted me to share my experiences with the buildings. I told him that we are very pleased with our eight salt storage units, as are the people at TDOT."



Steel structures for salt storage are becoming even more popular due the recent problems with other types of structures. Last year, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced that 112 of their 146 salt storage structures must be repaired or replaced. The Beaver County Times reported that the steel-framed, engineered fabric building vendor that sold the structures to PennDOT advised that their buildings so not be used during severe weather including snow, sleet and high winds, all common weather elements for Pennsylvania during the winter. The Harrisonburg Patriot News reported that PennDOT would be tearing down and replacing the 112 storage structures because they may be in danger of collapsing.



As opposed to other structures, SteelMaster's steel buildings in particular remain maintenance free for a lifetime thanks to the company’s use of Galvalume Plus Coating which offers strength, superior corrosion resistance, and an attractive bright appearance that provides excellent heat reflectivity. Each SteelMaster Buildings also comes with a 30-year mill-backed warranty by ArcelorMittal (NYSE MT). A SteelMaster Buildings strength also resists fire, earthquake, and hurricane damage. In the spring of 2010, SteelMaster launched its new models that are stronger, better, and cost less than anything else on the market. With these new models, customers benefit from a stronger design that allows for the buildings to withstand higher wind and snow loads in a lower gauge, which allows for significant cost savings.



With thousands of satisfied customers, including buildings located in every state in the U.S., on six continents, and in more than 40 overseas countries, SteelMaster takes pride in knowing its steel buildings have earned the favor of not only the Abbruzzese Brothers and the Tennessee Department of Transportation, but also the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, National Guard, Coast Guard, Departments of Corrections, Transportation and Defense, FBI, Public Works, DEA, and the Army Corps of Engineers.

Steel Equipment Storage Buildings

When it Comes to Building a SteelMaster, There is No Place Like Home.

Smack dab in the middle of the United States is Kansas, which is often called the Heart of America. When many Americans think of Kansas, most likely two things come to mind: the movie "The Wizard of Oz" and tornadoes. But for Robert Williams and his wife who currently live in Olathe, KS, this Midwestern state is their home, so much so that they purchased a 10 acre plot of farm land in Pamona, KS (about 45 miles from Olathe) on which they intend to live out their retirement years.

After the Williams family bought their acreage in Pamona, they decided to build a shop on the property for equipment storage. "Before we bought our storage building, we kept our tractor and other equipment outside in the weather," says Robert.

Kansas is situated in what many consider to be "Tornado Alley" - an area where 90 percent of tornadoes spring to life because it is where cold, dry air from Canada and the Rocky Mountains meets warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico and hot, dry air from the Sonoran Desert. The combination of these conditions along with atomospheric instability produces intense thunderstorms which can lead to tornadoes. Ninety-four tornadoes were reported in Kansas during 2010, and the record year for tornadoes in the state was in 2008 with 187 tornadoes confirmed.

With this information in mind, the Williams had to make sure that the storage building they bought could withstand the high winds that come with tornadoes.

"I saw a [SteelMaster building] and liked what I saw, so that is what we purchased to use as our farm storage building," says Robert.

For more than 28 years, SteelMaster Buildings, which is located in Virginia Beach, VA, has manufactured, designed, and supplied pre-fabricated arched steel structures to 40,000 customers located in every state of the United States, in 40 countries, and on seven continents around the world.

"SteelMaster Buildings are engineered for life," says Michelle Wickum, the company's director of marketing. "Our steel buildings are also built to meet the wind loads of their destination whether that's in Kansas or on the coast of Florida. They remain maintenance free for a lifetime thanks to the company's use of Galvalume Plus Coating which offers strength, superior corrosion resistance, and an attractive bright appearance that provides excellent heat reflectivity." Each SteelMaster Building also comes with a 30-year mill-backed warranty by ArcelorMittal (NYSE MT).

Along with the help of his wife and two friends, Robert erected the steel building in November 2009 and finished by building the end walls in June of 2010. "I built the end walls using 2×6 lumber and red metal siding," says Robert. "The floor was poured as a monolithic 6? slab with thickened sides that sit on piers that are 12? diameter and 5 foot deep. The piers are placed every 6 foot around the perimeter of the building. I am pleased that all the material supplied with the building fit as designed, and I am pretty sure it will stand up to most of the weather Kansas can throw at it."

 Robert has this to say to others who are about to begin construction of their own SteelMaster building. "Read the construction manual, and then call the technical department at SteelMaster and tell them the size of your building and question them about the best method of putting the arches together. Also ask them to explain why it is so important to put the small angles on the curved sections to keep the curved sections from growing as you erect it."

In addition to storage buildings, SteelMaster's steel and metal pre-engineered buildings are designed for a broad range of residential and commercial applications including Garages, Workshops, Carports, Quonsets, Airplane Hangars, RV Storage, Military Buildings, Commercial Warehousing, and Industrial Storageas well as a wide variety of Custom Building applications including Athletic Facilities, Retail Stores, Churches, Bus Stops, Smoke Shacks, Doggie Dorms, and Correctional Facilities.

Visit us for more information at SteelMaster Buildings

Quonset Homes

We often get requests from customers wondering if our steel buildings can be used as a home. Of course they can! Quonset hutshave been used for homes since WWII. Below is a great article that highlights several Quonset Hut homes (including a couple from SteelMaster Buildings).

10 Really Cool Quonset Homes

In this poor housing market, quonset homes are popular with new homeowners as well as for retirees looking for an affordable way to move to a warmer climate. A quonset hut is an arch-style steel building that was used in World War II for equipment storage. Since then, quonset huts have been used as a less expensive metal building for equipment storage in commercial and agricultural settings. In today’s housing market, quonset hut homes are a popular option mainly because they’re less expensive to build or buy than other types of homes, and can be erected in less time.

Visit SteelMaster Buildings for more information.

Steel Building for Malvern Police

Four years ago, Hurricane Dean destroyed the historic police station and courthouse in the St. Elizabeth parish of Jamaica. The Malvern police station is now being replaced with a prefabricated steel building from SteelMaster Buildings. Read the full article from the Jamaica Observer below.

New and different station for stressed-out Malvern police

MALVERN, St Elizabeth - It looks like a large greenhouse or perhaps a warehouse. But police personnel in Malvern aren't complaining.

Four years after Hurricane Dean devastated the historic police station and courthouse, the Malvern police are eagerly awaiting completion of a rectangular, prefabricated galvanised structure just adjacent.

Since Hurricane Dean, law officers in this quiet highlands town have operated from a small, cramped room once used for Petty Sessions Court.

"We are really glad for it (new structure) and looking forward to moving in," District Constable Clifford Findlay, who has served the Malvern police for 27 years, told the Observer West on Monday.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Derrick Cochrane, who heads the Police Area Four comprising St Elizabeth, Manchester and Clarendon, told the Observer West that completion date was set for the end of September.

"I am told that it is 1,800 square feet in size which from the perspective of the police is larger than their previous space," Cochrane said yesterday.

"It will be all inclusive and it will have living accommodation," the Assistant Commissioner added.

"This comes as a great relief to the men and women serving in Malvern who have been greatly challenged for too long and have given yeoman service over all those years of discomfort and inconvenience," Cochrane said.

Efforts yesterday to get word from the Ministry of National Security regarding the cost of the project failed. However, back in 2009 when the foundation for the pre-fabricated building was being built the project cost was estimated by ministry officials at $8.5 million.

Back in 2009, then chief of police in St Elizabeth, Superintendent Merrick Watson, championed the need for a "proper" police station for the Malvern police region.

Describing it as crucial, he said: "We are talking about a very large area between Santa Cruz and Junction, which, while it is not a high crime area has a lot of people residing there including many returning residents. They require the constant presence of the police as a deterrent. So clearly there has to be a police station, properly structured and staffed, up and running," Watson said then.

Unconfirmed reports suggest that the new building will not be used for court sessions.

The upper floor of the old building was a primary centre for court sessions in St Elizabeth prior to Hurricane Dean.

It’s unclear what is to be done with the standing shell of the old building. It dates back 120 years.

One man who will never forget the night the Malvern police station and courthouse collapsed under the fury of Hurricane Dean is barber, Cleon Fagan. He was sleeping in his shop as Dean raged. He awoke to find himself buried from toe to chest under rubble, including bricks and large stones from the neighbouring upper floor which housed the courthouse. He managed to dig himself out with a piece of steel and escaped with severe bruising and cuts.

SteelMaster Buildings offers you quality, durability and versatility within an architectural arch design that makes our structures the strongest on earth.

Life Lessons at a Steel

The proverb, "Make hay while the sun shines" is one that dates back to 1546, but the lesson to make the most of an opportunity when it presents itself holds an enduring value to all people, not just farmers.

But that is what Jim Countryman is. He's a farmer, and a grain farmer to boot, although advances in weather forecasting and modern technology afford him greater advantages than those available to his peers living during the 16th century.

Nonetheless, he took a literal approach to the proverb’s figurative meaning in 1991 when he broke ground at his farm in Moville, IA to build an underground trench silo that he used to hold corn silage to feed cattle.

He got good use out of the silo, which is 13' deep, 35' across, and 105' long, for a number of years because there were plenty of cattle milling about that needed to be fed. But times change, and Countryman's silo and many others like it have been sitting empty for a few years, a hollow shell with no purpose.


It occurred to him that wasted space is a wasted opportunity, so he decided to use the empty silo as storage for farming machinery - big farming machinery - specifically, three tractors, a semi truck, a combine, and two combine heads.

"We used to have a canvas cover over it, but many people who did the same had them blow away in windstorms," says Countryman. "I decided to put something up that was better constructed and would last longer."

He did a bit of research on the Internet which led him to SteelMaster Buildings, located in Virginia Beach, VA.

For more than 29 years, the company has manufactured, designed, and supplied pre-fabricated arched steel structures to 40,000 customers located in every state of the United States, in 40 countries, and on six continents around the world.

Michelle Wickum, who is the director of marketing for SteelMaster Buildings, says that their buildings and roofing systems are popular with farmers who depend on the quality of their structures to protect their biggest assets.

"The quality of a SteelMaster Buildings is unrivaled in the marketplace for its rare blend of strength, style, and simplicity, which gives people like Mr. Countryman endless application possibilities" says Wickum. "As a result of our advanced arch technology, there is no need for beams, trusses, or supports. It is just a wide open space, which is perfect for large farming machinery."

Another benefit of a SteelMaster roofing system that Countryman says spoke to him was the cost savings and practicality of being able to construct most of it himself.

"My hired help and I installed the roof," says Countryman. "It took us a week to put it on, and then we had someone else to install the overhead door. I like that the structure is self-supporting and also that everything is precut to size and comes with good blueprints and installation instructions."

Wickum adds that there is no need for Countryman to waste another minute worrying about windstorms.

"SteelMaster steel buildings are engineered to meet the wind loads of their destination," says Wickum. "As opposed to wooden structures, some steel buildings, like the ones sold by SteelMaster Buildings remain maintenance free for a lifetime thanks to the company's use of Galvalume Plus Coating which offers strength, superior corrosion resistance, and an attractive bright appearance that provides excellent heat reflectivity. Each SteelMaster building also comes with a 30-year mill-backed warranty by ArcelorMittal (NYSE MT)."

Countryman says that because there isn’t another building nearby that looks like his now that the SteelMaster roof is in place, he hopes the transformation of his silo will serve to show people what an opportunity they have in SteelMaster.

"They can see that these old silos can now be brought back to good use."

In addition to roofing systems, SteelMaster's steel and metal pre-engineered buildings are designed for a broad range of residential and commercial applications including homes, farm buildings, garages, workshops, agricultural storage, Quonsets, airplane hangars, RV storage, carports, military buildings, commercial warehousing, and industrial storage as well as a wide variety of custom building applications including athletic facilities, retail stores, churches, bus stops, smoke shacks, doggie dorms, and correctional facilities.

It's a World of Wonder a World of Steel

To the average person, walking through the gates of Walt Disney World near Orlando, FL is akin to being sucked into a vortex of sensory overload. There are oversized furry mice miming their way through conversations with children, teacups wildly being strewn about, and upbeat, sing-songy music blanketing the ears of wide-eyed visitors.

But there is another side to this utopian mega park, a side that is everywhere and nowhere depending on where you are looking, and it involves the "Hidden Mickey."

The first Hidden Mickeys were created as an inside joke between Disney employees who 'hid' Mickey Mouse's silhouette in the design and construction of the theme park and resort. There is no concrete number of how many exist, but estimates run well over a thousand. Many people, including Disney's employees who are dubbed "Imagineers" are on a constant hunt for Hidden Mickeys - for them, that is where the magic lies. Sure the rides and the kingdom and the shows are great, but it is what has been cleverly hidden in the infrastructure of the Magic Kingdom that intimates the essence of fun and wonder of the happiest place on Earth.

About an eight hour drive north from Walt Disney World is Gaffney, SC, and that is where Jeff Whelchel lives. A cursory tour around his property doesn’t hold the same kind of blinding excitement that is found at Disney - there are no princesses walking about or thunderous mountains to scale, but there is magic to be found if you know where to look - in a steel shed that Whelchel bought some 10 years ago.

"I needed a good shop for me, my son, and my father to work on some project cars we had purchased," says Whelchel. "We have restored a 1965 Mustang, and although my father has passed away, my son and I have a 1966 Mustang we are currently restoring and a 1995 Ford Truck and a 1955 Oldsmobile that are waiting to be restored."

He says he bought the building from SteelMaster Buildings in Virginia Beach, VA, which has manufactured, designed, and supplied pre-fabricated arched steel structures to 40,000 customers world-wide for more than 29 years.

"I went with a local SteelMaster representative and looked at a SteelMaster building that was already functioning as a fresh market," says Whelchel. "When I saw the building, I loved it, and I was sold. I constructed the building myself, along with my father and my son. I also added a masonry bathroom on the back of the building. Once we got the first set of sections in place, plumb and square, the process was quite easy. All the nuts and bolts it required were time consuming, but the excellent construction made it all worthwhile."

SteelMaster Buildings are known for their durability, versatility, and ease of construction. They are known to withstand hurricanes, never need any maintenance, and for being affordable. But, would anyone go so far as to call the building full of magic or wonder? Whelchel would.

"The fact is my father, my son, and I did most of the work ourselves, and the three of us have the same initials," says Whelchel. “When I poured the entrance ramp up, we each put an initial in the concrete that is a reminder of the great times we all shared (along with a lot of sweat) - I made the "J", my son made the "S", and my father made the "W". Not only did we personalize the building, but it serves as a constant reminder of the great bond we all shared, the memories we made in "OUR" building, and it is a wonderful memorial to my father, whom I love very much."

There probably have been many people who have been inside of Whelchel's SteelMaster building who hadn’t a clue of the "Hidden Mickey" that sat right under their feet because they were too distracted by the unique steel building or the cool cars being restored. But a world of wonder is there in that space, silently telling the story of a love between three generations of men who share a bond stronger than the steel that sheltered their many moments together - and there isn't a Fairy Tale around that can tell a story as magical as that.

SteelMaster Featured in Inside Business

After being honored by the U.S. Senate Productivity and Quality Award for Virginia as one of 12 companies to watch, SteelMaster Buildings was featured in Inside Business.

A new initiative that recognizes Virginia's thriving small businesses has named two Hampton Roads companies among its "12 to Watch" for 2011. They are SteelMaster Buildings in Virginia Beach and Aromas Specialty Coffees & Gourmet Bakery in Newport News and Williamsburg.

The U.S. Senate Productivity and Quality Award Program for Virginia launched the initiative this year, honoring the inaugural 12 on Sept. 8 at the 29th Annual Virginia Forum for Excellence in Richmond.

The companies are “on the cusp of major growth,” Virginia SPQA Board Chair Jo Rohr said in a press statement. To qualify, they met rigorous standards from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Baldrige Criteria for Performance Excellence. They will receive Criteria for Performance Excellence training, mentoring and scholarship participation in Virginia SPQA's Discovery Program.

We asked the local winners - one a Peninsula coffeehouse, the other a Southside firm that manufactures, designs and supplies arched steel structures throughout the U.S. - what to watch for from their companies. Here’s what they said :-

Rob Poellnitz

Vice President

SteelMaster Buildings

www.SteelMasterUSA.com

“We are seeing significant growth in our international markets and are currently working on some interesting projects in Haiti, Africa, Costa Rica, Peru and Uruguay. We have just completed our first two Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design-certified projects, an animal shelter in Austin, Texas, and a manufacturing facility in Kaohsiung, Taiwan.

“We are also expanding into new markets with two different housing projects in New York, (which were recently) featured in the Wall Street Journal and the New York Daily News.”

WWII Aircraft Restoration Soars in Steel

For people who are not familiar with warbird restoration, a conversation with Tom Reilly will leave their head spinning with his cyclonic references to numbers and letters that together form a powerful torrent of history.

A warbird is a term used to describe vintage military aircraft, typically from the World War II era, and Reilly has been restoring them for 40 years.

More specifically, he has performed 34 major restorations which included ten B-25s, three B-17s, one B-24, one F4U Corsair, a P-40, and nine T-6 (SNJ) aircraft.

To the average layperson, what all those numbers and letters boil down to is that Reilly knows his stuff, which was evident to the legions of people who visited the Flying Tigers Warbird Restoration Museum in Kissimmee, FL.

In 1985, Reilly bared the belly of his passion for bomber-type aircrafts when he opened the doors to this popular attraction where visitors could get a bird’s-eye view of a restoration in progress as well as his vast collection of aircrafts and related memorabilia.

Some 20 years later, Hurricane Charley ravaged the museum to the point that Reilly had had enough of the weather’s seemingly endless assault on Kissimmee, which is a suburb of Orlando.

"I shut the business down after Hurricanes Charley, Frances, and Jeanne tore through the place, one right after the other," says Reilly. “It felt like Kissimmee had a big bull’s eye on it that every hurricane was gunning for."

But for Reilly, when one door (or in his case, a hangar) closed, another one opened, which is why now he can be found in Douglas, GA heading up a intensive restoration project for a company he founded called the B-25 Group on the North American Aviation XP-82 Twin Mustang prototype. This aircraft is only one of two that still exist in civilian hands, and he and his team have been working on restoring it to fly once again since 2008.

According to the project website (www.xp-82twinmustangproject.com), they have made significant progress in bringing the XP-82 back to flying status, having completed the left-hand and right-hand fuselages, both engine mounts, top cowlings, horizontal, elevator, both aft fuselage extensions and verticals, center flap, and landing gear. They are heavy into the rebuild of the ailerons (four), rudders, and center section. Nixon’s Vintage V-12s has both right-hand and left-hand engines complete, and MT Propeller delivered the two propellers, a right-hand and counter-rotating left-hand.

It was earlier this year when Reilly realized there was one big piece of the puzzle he desperately needed before he and his crew could continue to properly restore the XP-82 - space.

They initially had set up shop in a Quonset hut-styled WWII hangar located north of the Fixed Based Operator at the Douglas Municipal Airport that was built in 1940 and used as a flight-training base for 10,000 men during World War II.

"That hangar became so full that we had to have our own facility when we started assembling," says Reilly. "I knew I wanted the new building to have the same Quonset hut look and to be made of steel, so I started contacting companies that sold what I was looking for - and SteelMaster Buildings was one of them."

For more than 29 years' SteelMaster Buildings, which is located in Virginia Beach, VA, has manufactured, designed, and supplied pre-fabricated arched steel structures to 40,000 customers located in every state of the United States, in 40 countries, and on seven continents around the world.

"I was talking to four or five different steel building manufacturers, and quality and price were definitely things that I was comparing," says Reilly. "But ultimately I went with SteelMaster because of the comfort level I had dealing with a salesman there named Rob Cass. I was impressed by how straight-forward he is and how knowledgeable he is about the buildings. He didn't give me any high-pressured sales pitch, but with a product that is manufactured as well as a SteelMaster building is, that type of nonsense isn’t necessary."

According to SteelMaster's Director of Marketing Michelle Wickum, most customers assemble and raise their buildings without a contractor, which adds to their cost effectiveness.

"Our buildings are sensibly designed so that assembly is straightforward and uncomplicated - you definitely don’t have to be someone of Mr. Reilly's skill level and expertise to put it up," says Wickum. "There is only a one-size nut and bolt system to work with, and an easy-to-read and detailed construction manual, YouTube videos, and of course people like Rob Cass are always available to assist during any phase of the assembly process."

Four of Reilly's employees had his SteelMaster Buildings up in no time, and he is there almost every day with his crew working on the restoration of the XP-82.

"I am constantly thinking about this aircraft and planning for the next step and then the step after that," says Reilly. "We are getting the restoration perfect, right down to the smallest detail."

Reilly and the crew found some interesting notes on the prototype parts prior to restoration, apparently between co-workers to communicate with each other between shifts during the war, such as "426 AD 4-6 rivet goes here" (complete with an arrow) and "John, I will have the tickets for you tomorrow for the theatre."

Reilly's crew documented and saved the graffiti to reapply it to the newly painted interior surfaces, and they have even gone as far as spectrographing the different colors of paints throughout the interior of the aircraft, duplicating the colors exactly. They also found and purchased the original WW II 442 head-style rivets to use in the restoration.

"I have been doing this work for 40 years, and I can't imagine ever not doing it. But, I had never be where I am without the many, many people who have helped me and lent their support throughout this journey, especially when it comes to this project - it's been the greatest ride ever."

Steel Yourself Now, for Snow is Sure to Come

If last year's winter snowfall reports are any indication, Old Man Winter can be a fickle foe, wreaking havoc on the lives of unsuspecting folks living throughout the United States as if by whim.

But then there are those areas where Old Man Winter is definitely expected and typically welcomed, one of which is New York’s Catskills Mountains.

Ron Fischer owns a home in the Catskills and generally appreciates all the area has to offer during the winter months, but he admits; the snow can be troublesome at times. This thought was very much with him as he recently began exploring the various buildings he could construct to store the yield of his trade - sculptures.

“I looked at wood sheds that are online and also ones that are built by locals in the area,” says Fischer. “They were generally too small for my needs. Stylistically, wood seemed to make the most sense in this rural area, yet I personally prefer steel structures, even in the country, and even though our house is a small, white clapboard, 19th century wood structure. I looked at pole-barns that are made of steel, and they just looked so fragile, and I hate to say, cheap looking. I thought about re-conditioned steel storage freight containers that you can buy, paint any color, and have delivered to your property, but they also were too small.”

He eventually settled upon purchasing a Quonset hut, although he admits he did not know much about them at first.

“I only knew how they looked, which I liked,” says Fischer. “Truth be told, SteelMaster Buildings was the first company I looked at when going online, and Roy House, the great salesman he is, sold me my building from the clearance sale department right there on the spot - and I have to admit, I felt a little foolish buying a building without doing any research. But, since I was thinking of this as an art experience, I figured I would just let intuition lead the way and go for it…and I am not sorry.”

For more than 29 years, SteelMaster Buildings, which is located in Virginia Beach, VA, has manufactured, designed, and supplied pre-fabricated arched steel structures to 40,000 customers located in every state of the United States, in 40 countries, and on seven continents around the world.

From the beginning, Fischer knew that he was going to use the SteelMaster building more as a roofing material and build a wood frame inside for structural support, even though the building is rated for
his area.

“People up here have many stories of buildings of this type collapsing under the weight of snow that can accumulate (we are located at the top of a mountain in the Catskills, near two very popular ski areas),” says Fischer. “I wasn’t going to take any chances.”

According to Michelle Wickum, who is the director of marketing for SteelMaster Buildings, Fischer never had anything to worry about.

“All SteelMaster Buildings are rated for the wind and snow load requirements for the county in which they will be located,” says Wickum. “The unique arch design of these steel buildings provides security and durability against fire, snow, and hurricane-force winds, while remaining aesthetically pleasing. Also, you don’t have to treat it, paint it, or maintain it. With a SteelMaster building, you just enjoy it. The Galvalume Plus coating provides years of maintenance-free use.”

Another benefit of a SteelMaster building is that most customers assemble and raise the arches to complete the construction of their building without a contractor, which saves people a great deal of money.

“All of our steel buildings come with an easy-to-read and detailed manual to aid in the construction of your new metal building,” says Wickum. “We have posted many how-to videos on our YouTube channel to help people along in the process. Also, our customers should always remember that their SteelMaster Building Specialist and our Customer Service Representatives are available should they have any questions during any phase of the assembly process.”

Fischer admits that he is currently feeling some pressure to get most of the building constructed before the first snow of the season falls.

“I would like to say we will be finished with the building before the winter sets in, but again, up in this area the winter comes early and strongly,” says Fischer. “I for one do not want to be up there, especially working outside, so I guess it won’t really be finished until late next spring of 2012. But, we will have enough completed by the end of November to be comfortable that it is structurally sound for the winter months.”

Once winter passes, Fischer already has plans in place for how he is going to customize the building to his needs and aesthetic leanings.

“I am having extruded aluminum louvers fabricated that are designed to let air into the building but not water,” says Fischer. “These louvers are really meant for high-rise buildings, but not only will they be functional (I don’t expect to enter the building that much so I did not want to deal with opening and closing louvers for different weather conditions) but they, like the SteelMaster building, are really cool looking. The ends will be made of wood (I will be using the SteelMaster end wall sections that came with my building, as shelving units inside the building) to go along with the interior aesthetic of the building, which will have extensive wood supports. There will be an 8′ x 16′ wood deck in the front facing a pond that is on our property, and I am planning on attaching a sun shade structure to the wood deck. I decided, if I am going to build a storage space for my sculpture, I should have a little fun with the project and deal with it as if I were making a sculpture, and not just a building.”

In addition to storage buildings, SteelMaster’s steel and metal pre-engineered buildings are designed for a broad range of residential and commercial applications including homes, farm buildings, garages, workshops, agricultural storage, Quonsets, airplane hangars, RV storage, roofing systems, carports, military buildings, commercial warehousing, and industrial storage as well as a wide variety of custom building applications including athletic facilities, retail stores, churches, bus stops, smoke shacks, doggie dorms, and correctional facilities.

The Carport Makes a Comeback

SteelMaster carports were recently mentioned in the Sarasota Herald-Tribune as an alternative to an attached garage.  According to the article, carports have many advantages over garages including  lower costs, less cumbersome design options, and no potential for noxious gases to build up from chemicals being stored. Read the full article below.

The Carport Makes a Comeback

By: Cynthia Anderson

Stylish homes with carports: The Cohen House on Siesta Key’s Bayou Louise is one. The Umbrella House on Lido Key - called "one of the most remarkable houses of the mid-20th century" by Architectural Digest - is another. Understated, elegant and historic, both properties feature carports at their best.

Both are also exceptions. In earlier incarnations, most carports were flat roofs with four posts - simple structures intended to shield cars from sun and rain, most of the time. Popular during the 1950s and ’60s, they began looking dated soon after attached garages became a staple of the American single-family home. In the current real estate market, carports often signal other - often undesirable - retro-isms: outmoded appliances, old plastic laminate counters, windows in need of replacement.

But attached garages have their own drawbacks. "I don’t particularly like the way the garage dominates the front of the house," said homeowner Phillip Sharff, who, before moving last year from Boston to Lakewood Ranch, lived in a house with a detached garage at the end of the driveway. And many garage owners don’t like the odors from chemicals stored there.

Some contemporary designers and builders, especially those with green inclinations, are opting out of garages, training their sights once again on the humble carport.

"There are a lot of advantages to carports and detached garages," said Steve Ellis, co-founder of MyGreenBuildings in Sarasota. "Builders are seeing the benefits, and so are home buyers."

Those advantages fall into two categories: environmental and stylistic. The carport comeback applies the best of mid-century modern architecture - simplicity, grace, and responsiveness to the natural environment - to current ideals of conservation and sustainability. It is, in many respects, a logical marriage long in the making.

"Carports are environmentally friendly, and they’re inexpensive," said architect Todd Sweet of TOTeMS Inc. in Sarasota. "Especially when you have a smaller home, a carport adds less mass. It can keep the scale down."

TOTeMS recently designed a carport for a homeowner who did not wish to alter the design of his 1940s home, but who wanted a place to park his sports car (see cover.) "It was a really good choice," said Sweet.

Custom green builder Josh Wynne, of Sarasota’s Josh Wynne Construction, recently built the highest-scoring LEED-Platinum new home in the United States. Only 5 percent of his homes have attached garages, while the rest have carports, detached garages or no garage at all. Wynne’s reasons are part aesthetics, part cost - "Do we really want to spend $40,000 or $50,000 to build something that’s just designed to hold a vehicle?" - and part ecology.

"There’s definitely the potential for noxious gases to build up" in a garage, said Wynne. "It is a concern. Conventional garages almost never have adequate ventilation."

The indoor pollution hazards of attached garages are not inconsiderable. A study published by Environmental Research in 2007 showed that attached garages frequently contain elevated concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can migrate into the residence. Unsurprisingly, gasoline-related VOCs, including the known carcinogen benzene, were found at the highest levels, and most of the fuel-related aromatics in the house resulted from garage sources.

People with existing attached garages can take measures to make them greener. Solar-powered fans improve ventilation, and solar-powered batteries can run appliances, such as mowers and clippers. Insulation is key, too: Install it not just in shared walls, but generously throughout the garage and attic space. As for chemicals that inevitably wind up in the garage, substitute non-VOC paints and bio-based solvents and paint strippers - and recycle used automotive fluids.

People who want to add an environmentally friendly carport to an existing property have several options, from pared-back to posh. SteelMaster Buildings Systems in Virginia Beach, Va., makes affordable, pre-engineered metal carports. The units are designed to withstand hurricane-force winds and can be assembled in a weekend.

Sankyo Tateyama Aluminum Inc. manufactures several models of sleek aluminum-framed carports. The KDR series is also built to withstand high winds and comes in blue, brown or clear polycarbonate. The elegant, two-car M.Shade includes 12 solar panels. It’s pricey - $40,000 without installation - but can be used to provide most of the power needs of the adjacent home or to re-charge a hybrid vehicle.

Carports also offer much from an architectural perspective. As design elements, they are light rather than heavy, and therefore more versatile than garages. An unfortunate reality, according to Wynne, is that for cost reasons, garages typically form a front-and-center focal point - and often a visually displeasing one.

"The goal from a design perspective should be for the garage not to be a substantial portion of the front elevation of the home," he said. "The front should have character and integrity, and it should be welcoming. Let’s face it. Most garages are ugly. I don’t care how many nooks and gables you have, it’s still a garage."

New carports can easily be built to comply with wind codes and zoning laws, Wynne said, and aesthetically they’ve come a long way from ’50s-style four-posters. "We never want to go backward in design. We never want to go backward in our quality of construction," Wynne said. "The carport has evolved the same as housing has evolved."

Carports also have functional advantages: Remove the automobiles, and you have a covered outdoor soiree space. Locate one next to a pool deck, and you’ve got a shaded, extended area for patio furniture. "Garages have largely become closets. Generally, if a home has a two-car garage, you’ll find one car in it and the rest is storage space," said Wynne. "Carports are more adaptable. They’re extensions of the house."

Even so, many homeowners wouldn’t give up the convenience or protection of a garage. Sharff isn’t getting rid of his anytime soon. "It serves its purpose," he said. "It does keep the cars shielded from the sun, and it’s secure. And where else would we keep all that stuff? I call it my ‘Florida basement.’"

In the end, perhaps, it comes down to a matter of taste. Retired architect Tim Seibert, whose many Sarasota designs include the Siesta Key Beach Pavilion and the John D. MacDonald House, parks in a carport "because I can’t stand waiting for the garage door to open." His wife, on the other hand, parks in the garage, Seibert said.

"She’s a very neat person, wouldn’t dream of leaving her car outside. She always keeps it the garage. A very elegant garage."

For More Information About SteelMaster Buildings Visit Steelmasterusa.com

'Top 10' Reason to Watch SteelMaster Buildings

Top 10 lists are everywhere-most notably on the Internet, in magazines, and other print publications. People value Top 10 lists from credible sources because they provide them with information on the best and brightest that they would otherwise have to research themselves.

This week, SteelMaster Buildings in Virginia Beach, VA was recognized for making the Top 10 list of businesses to watch by the Hampton Road Chamber of Commerce.

The Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the Small Business Development Center of Hampton Roads (SBDC), held its Small Business of the Year Awards luncheon on Thursday, May 19-a date which coincides with the U.S. Small Business Administration's "National Small Business Week". This week recognizes the contributions of small businesses to the economic well-being of the United States.

Businesses like SteelMaster Buildings that made this "Top 10 to Watch" list had to be a South Hampton Roads for-profit emerging business with fewer than 99 employees, in business for six years or less, or should have introduced a new product or entered a new market in the last five years.

The Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce is a not-for-profit member-based business organization that is a vigorous advocate for the economic success of its nearly 2,000 member businesses, which employ more than 280,000 men and women in southeastern Virginia. The SBDC of Hampton Roads is a non-profit affiliate of the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce and Thomas Nelson Community College in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration. The SBDC provides management counseling, information, technical assistance, education, and training to small businesses in the region's 18 cities and counties.

"We have actively worked with the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce and the SBDC for many years now," says Michelle Wickum, the director of marketing for SteelMaster Buildings. "They are an invaluable asset to the community, and we are honored that they chose SteelMaster Buildings for the "Top 10 to Watch" list.

SteelMaster Buildings has manufactured, designed, and supplied pre-fabricated arched steel structures for more than 29 years to 40,000 customers located in every state of the United States, in 40 countries, and on seven continents around the world.

SteelMaster's steel and metal pre-engineered buildings are designed for a broad range of residential and commercial applications including homes, farm buildings, garages, workshops, agricultural storage, Quonsets, airplane hangars, RV storage, roofing systems, carports, military buildings, commercial warehousing, and industrial storage as well as a wide variety of custom building applications including athletic facilities, retail stores, churches, bus stops, smoke shacks, doggie dorms, and correctional facilities.

"Customer service is a critical component in the SteelMaster customer experience," says Wickum. "We have four dedicated employees on staff to serve our customers before, during, and after the delivery of their steel building. Each of our customer service representatives has extensive experience with our structures as well."

The event's guest speaker was Congressman Scott Rigell. Congressman Rigell is the founder and Chairman of Freedom Automotive. He was recently inducted into the Hampton Roads Business Hall of Fame.

Urban Hen's SteelMaster Chicken Coops

The article below was written about the Urban SteelMaster Chicken Coops and was featured in a web series called Urbavore's Dilemma…

It's high time for a chicken-coop makeover.

After all, one of the main stumbling blocks for incorporating chicken coops into urban landscape is that they usually don't match the backyard décor. The rusty nails and splintery plywood frames, the dirty wire mesh walls and soiled dirt floor - none of it goes well with the teak loungers from Pottery Barn and copper birdbath from Smith & Hawken.

Thanks to a little Boulder operation called Urban Hens, that could soon change.

Urban Hens, a volunteer-based community project that's partnered with the Children, Youth and Environments Center for Research and Design (CYE) at the University of Colorado at Denver, has recently been building and donating hen houses to Boulder and Denver schools and community organizations with the aim of teaching children about environmental awareness and sustainable food systems. But these aren't the shabby hen houses of old.

The ten-hen structures are a modern mix of metal and wood. A shiny, corrugated metal roof arches overhead, while attractive wooden slats keep the roomy interior shaded and ventilated. The coops, which would fit right in among a trendy patio setting, look like they were designed by a professional architect - which turns out is exactly the case.

"I think really one of our hurdles was this mental model people have for hen houses that they weren't attractive and don't fit into the urban setting," says Wynn Martens, co-founder of Urban Hens, who decided to use chickens for teaching and community building after learning about climate-change and industrial-food problems at her job at the University of Colorado at Boulder's Division of Continuing Education & Professional Studies. "People assume they are messy and smelly and we really wanted to get over that speed bump."

So Martens and her colleagues at CYE turned to Rob Pyatt, a CU-Boulder architecture instructor, who agreed to teach a community-outreach class last semester in which five architecture students would design and build coops for small urban backyards. They quickly found there was no blueprint for what they were trying to do.

"This is a new prototype model for backyards," says Pyatt. "Most chicken coops are either poorly designed for that purpose, or they are more of a farm model." So they came up with their own model, based loosely on the design of Quonset huts, prefabricated, bunker-like structures CU-Boulder and other area institutions used for student housing after World War II when building materials were scarce. Not only did that give the coop design historical context, but the arched structure was relatively cheap, light and easy to build. They incorporated tall roofs so people could easily stand inside, slatted walls for ventilation and sand floors for easy cleaning. To make sure it didn't tip over in the wind or get attacked by predators or dogs, the fully enclosed structures were bolted to concrete slabs.

"It was all about making raising chickens as easy as possible, says Martens: "Urban hens wanted to set people up to succeed with urban hens."

So far, it's worked. Urban Hens recently intalled its first two coops, one at Shawnee Gardens assisted-living center in Boulder and one at as North Boulder cooperative residential community. They have grant funding for three more coops, one of which is planned to be built at Park Hill Elementary School in Denver, but they're looking for more funding since they already have a list of fifteen-plus others organizations who want to sign on. Eventually, says Martens, Urban Hens hopes to design and sell chicken-coop kits around Boulder based on Pyatt and his students' design, with proceeds allowing them to donate built coops to low-income neighborhoods and community organizations.

That way, lots of people can reap the benefits of urban hens - while looking downright snazzy in the process.

Urbavore's Dilemma is an ongoing web series detailing city dwellers' commitment to urban homesteading. From May through September, Westword writer Joel Warner will get his hands dirty, covering everything from backyard chickens to front-lawn gardens, from greenhouses to co-ops and food-sharing. Check out the full series

 For More Information About SteelMaster Buildings Visit Steelmasterusa.com

It's a Photo Finish for this Steel Carport

Tina Winnett wasn't initially drawn to the carport that she purchased from SteelMaster Buildings in April 2011 because of its unique arch design or sturdy appearance. Just from looking at the photo alone, there was no way she could know about the carport's unsurpassed ability to withstand all climate weather conditions-a considerable benefit since Winnett lives in Lakeland, FL, where hot summers and strong storms can put serious wear and tear on any building.

In fact, what drew her to the SteelMaster carport had nothing to do with the carport itself, but with what was parked underneath.

"I Googled 'carports' and I saw a picture on SteelMaster's website of a carport covering a Prius," says Winnett. "I own a new Prius, so that of course caught my attention and made me want to learn more."

When she first started scouting the Internet looking for a carport, she says the only definite requirement she had in mind was that it didn't look flimsy like so many of the carports she had seen around town.

"When I did some more research on SteelMaster's carports, I was impressed by the quality and sturdiness of the steel, the warranty, and then by the conversation I had with SteelMaster's Senior Project Specialist Michael Suozzi-what a salesman!"

For more than 29 years, SteelMaster Buildings, which is located in Virginia Beach, VA, has manufactured, designed, and supplied pre-fabricated arched steel structures to 40,000 customers located in every state of the United States, in 40 countries, and on seven continents around the world.

"SteelMaster buildings are easier to handle, stronger, and less expensive than any other common garage building materials thanks to the architectural strength of the arch coupled with 21st century technology," says Michelle Wickum, the director of marketing for SteelMaster. "Plus, our steel buildings are built to meet the wind loads of their destination whether that's in Lakeland, FL or on the other side of the globe. You also don't have to treat it, paint it, or maintain it. With a SteelMaster carport, you just enjoy it. The Galvalume Plus coating provides years of maintenance-free use."

Although Winnett felt confident that her carport would stand the test of time, the contractor that she hired did not share the same feeling.

"When he first started the assembly, he had some reservations about the sturdiness of the carport because the bolts had to remain loose up to a certain point," says Winnett. "Once he began tightening everything up, he was very much impressed."

Although Winnett chose to hire a contractor to construct her carport, SteelMaster's buildings are designed so most customers can assemble and raise the posts, beams, and panels to complete the construction of their SteelMaster building without a contractor, which is an economical plus.

"Each of our steel carports as well as all of our other buildings comes with an easy-to-read and detailed construction manual to aid in the construction of your new metal carport," says Wickum. "We also have posted many how-to videos on our YouTube channel to help people along in the process. Also, our customers should always remember that their SteelMaster Building Specialist and our Customer Service Representatives are available should they have any questions during any phase of the assembly process."

Winnett's contractor began work on the carport in the beginning of August, and she said he had it completed in no time at all.

"From start to finish, it took about four days, but only because my contractor poured concrete bunkers that had to set up before he could begin the assembly, which took about a day and a half," says Winnett.

Now that her carport is up and her Prius is parked underneath just like in the picture that first led her to explore SteelMaster, Winnett has nothing but praise for her purchase.

"I love the look of the carport and have received many favorable comments from friends and neighbors," says Winnett. "Obviously, it serves the purpose for which it was designed (protecting my vehicle from oak tree trash and bird droppings), and I assume it will remain intact after the active hurricane season we are in. I am very pleased."

In addition to carports, SteelMaster's steel and metal pre-engineered buildings are designed for a broad range of residential and commercial applications including homes, farm buildings, garages, workshops, agricultural storage, Quonsets, airplane hangars, RV storage, roofing systems, military buildings, commercial warehousing, and industrial storage as well as a wide variety of custom building applications including athletic facilities, retail stores, churches, bus stops, smoke shacks, doggie dorms, and correctional facilities.

The First Step of Steel Building Construction

We often write about the process of erecting a SteelMaster steel building, but there is one vital step that we rarely discuss. Before a metal building can be constructed, a foundation has to be set. It is very important to ensure that the concrete is poured correctly so that your steel building will be level. We recently received some great photos showing the process of pouring concrete for one of our many buildings at Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek.

For More Information About SteelMaster Buildings Visit Steelmasterusa.com

RV Storage Buildings Protect your Investment

With winter right around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about storing your RV out of the harsh elements of Mother Nature. Due to the size of most recreational vehicles, storage is often incovenient and can be hard to find. SteelMaster steel buildings offer high-style roofs and side walls that allow RV’s to fit, and the DIY construction means you can easily build one in your own backyard.  With a variety of models and customization options, there are plenty of ways to create the perfect storage building for your RV.

Read the articles below for more tips about RV storage buildings…

 For More Information About SteelMaster Buildings Visit Steelmasterusa.com

100% Bonus Depreciation on Farm Buildings

Less than four months remain to get your new steel farm building constructed and “in service” in order to be eligible for the 100% bonus depreciation. If you have been considering adding a new building to your farm, now is the time to do it. By completing construction before the end of the year, you can deduct then entire cost of your building (including land grading and concrete) on your 2011 tax return. Call 800-341-7007 or fill out the form below the pictures to learn more about the tax benefits .

For More Information About SteelMaster Buildings Visit Steelmasterusa.com

Construction Tips: Hay Storage Buildings

SteelMaster buildings can be utilized to protect a farmer’s hay crop from everyday elements. Using a steel building to store round bales, rectangular bales or bricks, will extend their storage time and prevent the bales from rotting. In the off-cutting season, the buildings can also be used to protect equipment.

Before purchasing a steel hay storage buildings, customers usually ask how big of a building they will need to store their typical hay crop. That answer really depends on the size of the hay bales. With 4 ft. bales, a 42 ft. wide x 17 ft. high building can accomodate 28 bales of hay in one row. While the same size building can hold 16 5 ft. bales. The total number of bales stored in the building will ultimately depend on the length of the steel building. See the diagrams below.

Garage Door Options for Your Steel Building

The garage door clearance is an important factor when considering which style of door is appropriate for your building. There are two basic types of doors to choose from:

Your first option is the Sectional Overhead garage door. The door travels on tracks up over your head and back into the building. They can be ordered from a minimum of 8 inches of track clearance to a standard of 16 inches of clearance.

There is also the option of a Rolling Sheet door. This door recoils back into a cylinder or drum located above the header of the door. You will require a space roughly 22” wide by 24” high to install it.

For more information on garage door options for your SteelMaster Buildings,  please contact our Customer Service Department Monday – Thursday 8AM to 6PM and Friday 8AM to 5PM.