Choose the Right Foundation for Your Metal Building

Steel buildings are the prevalent shed options, and one can use these for residential, commercial, residential, and agricultural. Metal buildings provide rich quality housing with exceptional structural features.

Metal buildings are the modern shed option, and no other shed option can match the quality of metal buildings. However, proper construction is necessary to get the potential benefits of metal buildings. Structures sit on the foundation, and it should be perfect for giving the ideal base for your shed.

You can’t make the foundation right away; there are some things that you should know to make the right foundation for your steel building. This way, you’ll have the utmost quality structure that will house all your requirements effectively.

How to Choose the Right Foundation for Steel Buildings?

Below are some factors that you need to analyze in order to find the foundation requirement for your site and shed.

Land

It’s the most crucial step before starting or pouring the foundation. Your construction location must be examined professionally. The land survey tells the site dimensions and soil quality so that one can make the foundation accordingly.

When the soil quality is poor, it can sink the foundation after mounting the structure, damaging the structure and your assets. Hence, land inspection is a must to promote safe and robust construction.

Load

Whether it is metal buildings or any other structure, the horizontal loads are high due to weather conditions. These loads can misplace your shed if your shed’s foundation isn’t that strong and can’t hold structures. Hence, if your area faces heavy winds or seismic activities, then you may consider strong building anchors and thick foundations to withstand the extreme loads and keep your shed safe.

Wind Uplift

Sometimes heavy winds create a suctioning effect, which lifts the shed from the foundation. It’s called columnar uplift, and you can prevent it with the right foundation. The footing should be deep, and the foundation must be heavier to keep the grip on the steel structure. Moreover, the footing should be deeper than your local frost lines. The anchors should also be positioned correctly to connect with the building anchors to keep your shed in place.

Purpose

The things for which you use your shed also change which foundation is right for you. You’ll need a robust foundation if your shed houses heavy-duty operation and large weights. So, know your requirements and purposes of your shed to select the perfect foundation.

Types of Foundation

You can choose from the below foundation for the construction of your steel building.

Slab Foundation

It is the most common foundation option for metal buildings. It is inexpensive and mostly used for commercial and industrial steel buildings. The slab or floating foundation doesn’t require much digging, piers, and footings, making it easy and affordable.

These are concrete slabs with continuous grade beams and make the building floor after the shed erection. It is effective in coastal and soft soil areas and deters the sinking or non-uniform floor.

If you have it, then make sure to pre-embed the water, sewer, and electrical lines in the foundation.

Piers and Footing Foundation

In this option, concrete piers are made to support the structures. The piers or footings are positioned according to the foundation plan to give optimum support to the structure. The piers go deep in the ground and keep the shed to the positions regardless of the loads or uplifting. The building columns sit on the piers, and piers handle all the vertical weight of the structure. This foundation is mostly used for agricultural sheds with dirt or gravel floors.

It is an expensive foundation option but highly robust and reliable.

Perimeter Wall

A perimeter of concrete is made to mount the structure. Hence, the foundation is poured according to the design of the shed, so the whole framing has a base to sit, unlike piers only supporting the columns. It is also used with the piers sometimes to get the best foundation and keep the structure on the ground during harshest weather conditions.

Types of Metal Building Bases

After the foundation, it’s a must to choose the right base for your steel building so that you can use it effectively. Here are some popular steel building base choices you have.

Ground Foundation

The ground foundation is nothing but just a leveled site. Your building will sit on one of the foundations you choose from the above. It will be a ground-floor shed and the most affordable steel building foundation. You can use it for agricultural purposes. The ground foundation is not recommended for the storage of something valuable that can be spoiled by the mud.

Concrete Foundation

It is one of the most promising foundations, and you can use it for your storage, parking, or recreational purposes. Concrete floors offer a firm base that keeps your assets clean and intact. Otherwise, the dirt or gravel floor has too much mud that can cause the wear and tear of your valuables.

Gravel Foundation

It is another cost-effective way to make your steel building floor. You can use this floor if you are on a limited budget, and things you don’t put in there won’t get affected. Gravel floors develop trenches over time, and you need to re-level them to keep the floor uniform. It’s the middle path of dirt and concrete foundation. You’ll get better firmness and cleanliness than the ground floor, but not as much as a concrete foundation.

Asphalt Foundation

Asphalt foundations are for the area with frequent rain of continuous damp grounds. Asphalt foundation doesn’t wash away and offers a firm floor to store your assets or perform your functions. It is as good as the concrete foundation but needs more maintenance.

This is all about the steel building foundations. You must be clear by now what you have to do and which foundation is right for you. With the right foundation, you’ll also need a quality shed for the best quality shelter.

Viking Steel Structures is one of the top steel building dealers with a wide range of hurricane-rated steel buildings. You can get the most affordable steel sheds with us.

You can use our flexible payment options RTO and Financing to pay your shed price in monthly installments.

Furthermore, we offer some additional benefits to our customers, and our steel buildings come with a 20-year rust-through warranty, 10-year panel warranty, and 1-year workmanship warranty. So, order your building now!

If you want any assistance, then you can reach our building experts at 877-801-3263.