4 Things to Consider When Placing Your Metal Building
Metal garages, carports, barns, and other structures make valuable additions to the modern home. But before you concern yourself with what you’re installing, you’d better put some thought into where it’s going to go.
Lay the groundwork for steel structure success by taking these 4 metal building placement tips into consideration.
1. Find a Firm Foundation
Above all, the key to a reliable metal building is an even, level construction site. Constructing a building on uneven ground without the proper supports can undermine the entire structure down the line; no matter how strong the materials that are used, its structural integrity will eventually fail if the right support is not in place.
The good news is that you can level the ground yourself (follow our ground leveling instructions available here) or hire a contractor to do it for you, ensuring a solid structure from the very beginning. And if you are installing on uneven ground, it is possible to put enough support in place for your structure to be stable.
2. Choose East-West or North-South
Most homeowners will be familiar with the concept of either an East-West facing house or a North-South facing one. The same logic applies to your carport, garage, or other metal building — a building that has windows, or even no walls at all, will have varying levels of energy efficiency. On the one hand, if it has an East-West aspect, it will grant you gorgeous sunrises — perfect for that carport picnic patio. However, that comes at the cost of the space getting uncomfortably hot during summer mornings and unbearably chilly in the winter.
Of course, these conditions will vary depending on where you live (you may live in an area with a more moderate climate). Be sure to consider not only where to place your metal building in relation to the sun but what part of the day you’ll be spending the most time in it. After all, you may find it doesn’t matter much to you which direction the sun comes up while you’re in your metal garage workshop during the night.
3. Know Your Local Rules and Regulations
Your city may have rules about not only the size or height of your metal building, but its purpose too. Before you start construction, be sure to research the building regulations and required permits for your zone. Need a good place to start? Check your city’s website for any available public information. However, be aware of the possibility that sometimes the information you find may be out of date. Believe it — the last thing you want is to install your structure only to find out it violates a local ordinance! Consider speaking to a city representative to get the full, up to date details.
Check out this blog post for more information on why building permits are so important.
4. Do You Need A Nearby Water Source?
Many structures can benefit being near a water hookup. For example, a carport that houses ATVs or other vehicles becomes much more convenient when you have a hose nearby for the washing that’s needed after a weekend of muddy fun. Similarly, a metal horse barn should be placed close to a water source to fill water troughs each day. You’ll also need to consider having the proper drainage nearby, so be sure to take that into consideration when assessing the foundation of your metal building site as well.
Constructing your metal building isn’t as difficult as you might first think. While there are a number of factors that you’ll need to consider before you build, you’ll be that much more prepared for a smooth installation.