{"id":61216,"date":"2020-03-30T18:30:26","date_gmt":"2020-03-30T18:30:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/norsteelbuildings.com\/uncategorized-us\/the-metal-building-system\/"},"modified":"2026-04-16T09:09:33","modified_gmt":"2026-04-16T09:09:33","slug":"metal-building-system-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/norsteelbuildings.com\/us\/steel-building-basics\/metal-building-system-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"The Metal Building System: Designs, Measurements & Key Concepts"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Most customers who are looking for a steel building have a very good idea of what they want their end project to look like. Many customers are familiar with the basic concepts and terminologies that are used to discuss structures in the Metal Building industry. All customers can benefit from a good understanding of measurements and dimensions as they process the information that they receive from their metal building provider and interact with their building consultants.<\/p>

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Even with a clear vision in mind, customers often underestimate how critical accurate dimensions and clear terminology are when moving from concept to construction. A shared understanding of key terms helps avoid miscommunications<\/strong> that can lead to delays, costly revisions, or unmet expectations. The more aligned you are with your steel building provider early on, the smoother the process will be.<\/p>

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In this blog, we provide an overview of the pre-engineered steel building system. We will share some of the more popular steel building designs and go over the basic concepts of metal core building systems. It is important to take some time to explain the important measurements that customers need to know and understand before they begin their search for a metal building provider.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Overview of the Metal Building System<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Steel, also known as red iron, is used across a multitude of industries in the construction segment.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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The Properties of Steel \u2013 What Makes Steel so Great?<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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The primary advantage of metal building systems is its strength<\/strong>. Steel, as it comes from the steel mill, is incredibly versatile. It is this versatility<\/strong> that provides engineers with the flexibility<\/strong> to design Norsteel steel buildings with a high degree of accuracy.<\/p>

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Whether it\u2019s for agricultural, industrial, or commercial purposes, steel can be built to your business or personal needs. Steel is a plentiful resource \u2013 we have an abundance of it, and it is a well-accepted material<\/strong> world-wide. Steel has a very high degree of workability, and can be manipulated easily. It can be cut and welded, shaped and formed so that it satisfies an endless array of requirements.<\/p>

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The properties of a steel building make it incredibly resilient<\/strong>. They can take a great deal of abuse and it doesn\u2019t wear down like other materials, handling heat, snow, rain, seismic activity and more.<\/p>

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For example, the precision and strength of steel are especially valuable in structures like airplane hangars or industrial facilities, where tolerances and loads must be exact<\/strong>. In colder climates, steel also holds up well against frost and snow loads, while in humid environments, it resists warping and deterioration better than wood or other materials.<\/p>

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Finally, and perhaps best of all, steel is recyclable<\/strong>, and through the recycling process, it does not lose strength.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Popular Metal Building Designs<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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All our consultants here at Norsteel Buildings are trained to identify each customer\u2019s specific structural requirements and recommend the most suitable metal building systems for their project. Requirements are then matched to the steel building design which will fit that customer\u2019s particular metal building specifications.<\/p>

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Different applications and different site locations may require different designs, and not all steel buildings are created equally<\/strong>. Even what looks like a simple box has to be engineered to exact specifications. In addition to structural design, customers can customize roof styles, overhangs, and wall panel configurations to better suit their site layout, climate, and aesthetic preferences.<\/p>

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At Norsteel, we supply pre-engineered steel buildings in all shapes and sizes. Because of their versatility, these steel buildings can be engineered to join to each other and to existing structures, creating an unlimited array of shapes and configurations.<\/p>

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Here are some of the more typical metal building designs:<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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I. Double Slope\/Gable Steel Building<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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The gable steel building is a symmetrical steel structure \u2013 it is by far the most common Norsteel metal building design produced. It offers an unlimited number of optional features and is used for an unlimited number of applications.<\/span><\/p>\n


Double slope <\/span>metal building systems<\/span> can also be designed to be a-symmetrical, when customers require that the peak be off-set for a specific application.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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II. Single Slope Steel Building<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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The single slope metal building is used for several specific applications ranging from agricultural storage, to commercial facilities with solar panel installations. Single slope steel buildings are well suited in spaces with multiple structures to accommodate snow shadow from existing buildings. The single slope steel building is designed to be self-supporting.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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III. Lean-To Steel Building<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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A lean-to steel building is designed to attach to another steel building system, or to an existing structure. It typically uses the structural support of the existing structure on the attaching side. Typical uses include car ports; porches; and drive through windows for fast food restaurants.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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IV. Steel Structures with Mezzanines<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Several metal building projects require a second floor. When the mezzanine is attached and supported by the metal building, it must be engineered to maintain the structural integrity of the metal building system. Norsteel can supply pre-engineered steel structures with up to 3 floors. These can be designed as partial mezzanines for viewing galleries, or full mezzanines to provide complete upper floor space.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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V. Steel Structures with Cranes<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Several metal building projects are designed for warehouses, mines, and manufacturing plants and must be pre-engineered to support 5-, 10-, or even 20- ton, cranes. Some steel structures have several cranes in each building. Our crane buildings are designed with a standing seam roof system to prevent leakage resulting from vibrations caused by the auxiliary load of the moving crane.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Understanding Pre-Engineered Building Concepts<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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Walls: Sidewalls vs. Endwalls<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Most <\/span>metal building systems<\/span> have four outside walls. Two of these walls we call the sidewalls and the other two walls we call the endwalls. As their names imply, the Sidewalls of a steel building are located where the roof meets the walls in a line that is parallel to the ground. In other words, Sidewalls are a consistent height. In contrast, the endwalls are not a consistent height (unless the roof is perfectly flat \u2013 which is not typically the case in pre-engineered steel buildings). The height of the endwall changes where the walls meet the roof line. Endwalls are named either left or right. Sidewalls are either front or back.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Tip:<\/strong> Many customers think of the left endwall as the front of their building. Make certain you are in alignment with your consultant when you are discussing each wall of your steel structure.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Eaves, Ridges & Peaks<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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The line where the sidewalls meet the roof on a steel building is called the eave. It usually has trim to make it look nice in appearance and gutters to remove rain flow from the roof. The distance from the bottom of the base plate to the point where the roof meets the wall, or the eave, is called the eave height. Another important factor to consider when planning your steel building is Metal Building Insulation, which helps in maintaining energy efficiency and controlling condensation within your structure. Proper insulation can also enhance the overall durability of the building and improve indoor comfort.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Tip:<\/strong> The eave height is important because in steel structures, we measure the height of the building according to the eave height (not the peak height). Some municipalities impose a total height restriction. If this is the case in your municipality, then your building consultant needs to be informed so that your eave height can be calculated accordingly.<\/span><\/p>\n

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In steel buildings, we refer to the spot where the two sides of the roof meet on the highest point of each endwall as the peak or ridge. The gable instead is the triangular section that runs from each eave line to the peak and from the eave line on one sidewall to the eave of the other sidewall.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Trim & Aesthetic Finishes<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Metal Building Packages from Norsteel all come equipped with trim to enhance appearance. The line where the endwall meets the roof is finished with a piece of trim known as rake fascia. The line where the sidewalls meet the endwall is finished with a piece of trim known as the corner trim. And the peak receives a plastic or metal cap that we call a peak cap.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Tip:<\/strong> Trim packages can be an effective way of enhancing the appearance of your steel building system. Trim is available to customers in several standard colours.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Measurements of Pre-Engineered Steel Structures<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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A thorough understanding of the measurements that determine size and appearance of <\/span>properties of a steel\u200b<\/span> building is incredibly important both from an aesthetic and functionality point of view.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Roof Pitch Explained<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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The roof pitch or slope is usually shown as rise over run.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Typical steel buildings can be designed in several different pitches, but depending on their width and application, most steel buildings are designed with a pitch that is \u00bd-in-12 (.5:12 or .5\/12), 1-in-12 (1:12 or 1\/12), 2-in-12 (2:12 or 2\/12) and 4-in-12 (4:12; 4\/12).<\/span><\/p>\n

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For small steel buildings, like in the case of a backyard shop and garage, a roof pitch of 2\/12 is by far the most common. Larger steel buildings, like warehouses or arenas, typically call for a 1\/12 pitch. For buildings requiring a more traditional, residential appearance, a more defined peaked appearance such as an 8\/12 pitched roof may be desirable.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Inches are used as the basic unit for roof pitch. For example, a 2:12 roof pitch means that the roof rises 2 inches for every 12 inches measured horizontally.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Tip:<\/strong> When we are speaking of roof pitch we are looking at how much of a peak the roof will have. Although many customers consider the roof pitch to be incredibly important in order to establish the ideal aesthetic appearance for their steel building, the degree of slope also has intense importance in terms of snow and rain accumulation.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Building Dimensions: Width, Length, Eave Height<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Like every other product in this world, <\/span>metal core building systems<\/span> have three basic dimensions: width, length and eave height. The width is the distance from the outside of the sidewall girt on one side to the outside of the sidewall girt on the other side. The length is the distance from the outside of the endwall girt on one end to the outside of the endwall girt on the other end. The eave height is the distance from the finished floor to the point where the roof meets the sidewall.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Tip:<\/strong> When you are speaking with your steel building consultant, make absolutely certain that the dimensions you are discussing are clear. All metal building providers use out-to-out measurements. The interior space will be reduced in order to compensate for the rigid frame itself. If you require a definite clearance within the building, you must make certain to tell your consultant.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Out-to-Out vs. Interior Clearances<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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The most important message here is that all dimensions are taken from the outside edge of the girt to the outside edge of the girt. These are referred to as \u201cout-to-out\u201d measurements and are the industry standard. Clarifying these dimensions at the outset of your project is crucial for ensuring your steel building meets your expectations \u2013 both in terms of size and functionality.<\/p>

However, what customers often overlook is that out-to-out measurements do not reflect the usable space inside the building<\/strong>. Because the rigid steel frames, insulation, liner panels, and other structural components occupy physical space, the interior clearances \u2013 or usable space inside \u2013 are always slightly smaller than the exterior footprint<\/strong> of the building.<\/p>

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If you are planning to install equipment, racking, vehicles, or storage systems inside your steel structure, it is essential that you communicate your required interior dimensions to your Norsteel building consultant. This ensures the design will accommodate your needs, especially when factoring in:<\/p>

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