Clear Span Buildings Vs Multi Span Buildings: Know the Difference

Clear span metal buildings and multi-span buildings are two steel structures that offer wide space required for industrial and commercial purposes. When you need a clear and large area without any internal columns, clear span metal structures are mostly used. The building is engineered to maintain its durability, robustness and strength without having any inside columns. Similar to clear span buildings, the multi-span steel buildings are also engineered to serve your needs when you demand even more space than the standard size of clear span buildings. Apart from space, many other differences make these two metal buildings different.

So, what’s the main difference between Clear Span Metal buildings and Multi-span metal buildings, and which one best suits your purpose?

Before we make a comparison, you should first know what are clear span buildings and multi-span metal buildings along with their uses, advantages, and specifications.

About Clear Span Buildings

The clear span buildings are wide metal structures with no columns, allowing zero obstruction on your property. As it doesn’t have any supporting columns, it is also called a self-supporting metal structure. Span is the width of metal building that you order. The width of a clear span building starts with 60 feet, which can go up to 120 feet. In this structure, the metal building has a slope from the middle of the width to its sides. Tapered columns are installed to maintain the stability and strength of these metal buildings. The columns and frames are categorized under three profiles i.e., Low, Medium, and High.

• Low Profile: In Low profile, the columns can have a slope between 1/4:12 to 1:12.
• Medium Profile: In Medium profile, the building columns will have slopes of 2:12 and 3:12.
• High Profile: In High profile, the columns will have a slope of 4:12.

The clear span metal buildings have versatile uses that include:

• Churches
• Skating Rinks
• Theaters
• Auditoriums
• Gymnasiums
• Aircraft Hangars
• Warehouses
• Equestrian Indoor Riding Arenas
• Recreational Facilities
• Indoor Sports Facilities
• Indoor Pools
• Indoor Tennis Courts
• Large Truck or Farm Equipment Shelters
• Large Manufacturing Plants

The clear span structures are widely used for industrial and commercial purposes. It comes with surplus advantages that make it the best metal structure over other options. Below are its advantages:

• It gives 100% free space, which you can use as per your requirement.
• This metal structure is easy to install, making it a better option than wood.
• These metal structures are not only durable, but they are also flexible. So you can easily dismantle them and relocate to a new place.

About Multi-Span Buildings

In situations, where you need a metal building wider than the standard width of a clear span building, multi-span building is the perfect option. The metal structures which are installed with a width of more than 120 feet are considered as multi-span buildings. However, you need to add columns for stability and frame support in such buildings. These wide metal buildings can go up to 300 feet wide. Many manufacturers even provide buildings more than 300 feet, but they require the expansion of joints to strengthen such giant structures.

As there are columns in a multi-span metal structure, tapered columns are not mandatory. The exterior columns can be tapered, whereas the inner columns can remain straight, offering vast space for your purpose. The multi-span structures are best suited for:

• Huge warehouses
• Enormous manufacturing plants
• Big-box retail operations

Multi-Span vs. Clear Span Steel Buildings – Which One is The Right Choice for You?

In both clear span buildings and multi-span buildings, a rigid frame is used. Rigid frames are used to maintain stability for years. Now, it depends on your building requirements and the width that you need. For non-obstruction metal structures, you always have the option of clear span buildings. However, if a clear span structure does not fulfill your requirements, you need a multi-span building.

The selection of multi-span and clear span building totally depends upon your requirement and the purpose of use. Price is an important factor contributing to your final selection between clear span and multi-span metal building.

At Viking Steel Structures, you can order from versatile clear span buildings with ample customizations. So, if you are planning to buy a clear span building or a multi-span metal structure, you have landed in the right place. Just give us a call at 877-801-3263 to share your building details, and let us serve you in the best possible way. We provide Rent-To-Own/Financing options that make you capable of buying your dream metal structure at a low deposit amount.