When you picture a pre-engineered metal building, you might visualize a bland, gray warehouse sitting in an industrial park. That mental image keeps many business owners from choosing steel, even though they want the durability and cost-effectiveness that comes with it. However, red iron steel buildings have come a long way in all regards, including aesthetic flexibility. Nowadays, you have countless options to transform a standard frame into a stunning retail store, office, or restaurant. Here are four specific ways you can customize a steel building to match your commercial vision.
1. Upgrade the Exterior Siding
You generally do not have to settle for standard PBR metal panels if you prefer a traditional look. The sturdy I-beam framing of prefabricated red iron buildings supports various other facade materials effortlessly. You can finish the exterior with brick veneer, faux stone, stucco, or horizontal wood cladding. Consider combining a couple of these materials to create even more visual interest and help the structure blend into non-industrial neighborhoods.
2. Adjust the Roof Pitch and Profile
The roofline defines the silhouette of your structure. A low-slope or flat roof works well for maintenance and building logistics, but it’s very industrially coded. A steeper pitch offers more curb appeal. You might select a high-pitched gable, a hip roof, a monitor style, or a single-slope lean-to. Changing the pitch also allows you to utilize attic space or install vaulted ceilings indoors.
3. Incorporate Diverse Fenestration
Windows and doors do more than allow entry; they break up large expanses of industrial-esque wall. Therefore, you can create a welcoming atmosphere by adding specific fenestration elements. Consider installing glass storefronts, clerestory windows, large skylights, and custom overhead doors. Furthermore, allowing more natural light into the building makes the interior feel spacious and reduces lighting costs.
4. Select Accessories and Trim
You can specify practical and decorative accessories during the design phase, which will become the final details that tie the entire project together. Popular options include color-matched gutters, downspouts, protective overhangs, and two-tone wainscoting. These components protect the building foundation and walls from water damage while boosting the aesthetic value.
Make It Your Own
Durability does not require you to sacrifice style. Modern engineering gives you the freedom to design a steel facility that represents your brand perfectly. By customizing your steel building in these ways, you get the strength of steel with the architectural beauty of traditional construction.
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