Frequently Asked Questions About DIY Steel Building Kits

admin | November 22, 2016April 4, 2023

Do-it-yourself (DIY) steel building kits make it extremely easy for you to set up the facilities you need on your property without having to hire out an entire building crew. These kits come with everything you need to get your steel building set up and ready to use.

Here are answers to just a few of the questions we most commonly receive at Adams Truss, Inc. about our DIY steel building kits in Arkansas.

You say your DIY steel building kits are easy, but just how easy are they?

They’re so easy to use and set up that you do not need to have any previous experience with framing or carpentry. Because all of our buildings come in pre-made kits, you do not have to do any measuring or cutting of any materials. The only power tool you might need is a cordless drill. Therefore, if you’re able to tighten bolts, you’re able to erect one of our steel buildings from these kits. Building has never been easier!

Aren’t the roofs difficult to erect?

Most of the time, roofs for steel building kits come in arches. Each arch typically only requires somewhere around 50 pounds of force to lift off the ground. This means that if you have a friend helping you, each of you only needs to account for 25 pounds of that force. That’s not bad at all; you’ve probably lifted bags of dog food that are heavier than that!

What are the benefits of DIY steel building kits in Arkansas?

Most steel building kit owners are able to raise their own buildings without having to hire contractors to get the job done for them. That means you are able to save a significant amount of money on a project you can easily get done yourself. All of our manuals are very easy to follow and you do not need to spend any extra money on tools or equipment you don’t already have. All it takes is a few days of work and a little bit of help from your friends.

What are some applications for DIY steel building kits?

We create steel building kits for a variety of purposes. Our most common kits include steel barns, garages and aircraft hangars, though we have created and delivered kits for other purposes to other clients across the region.

What are the steps to raising a DIY steel building?

In general it is a four-step process. The first is to pour out the concrete perimeter footing on the level building site. Next, assemble the arches, and then raise them, securing them to the foundation. Repeat this step until all arches are raised. Finally, put on the finishing touches, including end walls, doors and tightening bolts. That’s all it takes!

For more information about our selection of DIY steel building kits in Arkansas and beyond, we encourage you to reach out to our team today at Adams Truss, Inc. We look forward to working with you on your upcoming building project!

How Roof Trusses Are Built: Info from a Truss Manufacturer

admin | October 15, 2016April 4, 2023

As you prepare for your next steel building project, you will learn that one of the major components of any such project is the roof truss. The exact process for building these roof trusses varies depending on the manufacturer and the end product, but in general they follow the same steps.

Here is an overview of the steps in building roof trusses, according to your truss manufacturer in Arkansas:

Design: First things first: there needs to be a design in place for the truss before the building process can start. The manufacturer needs to know the exact application for which the truss is being made, how big it needs to be, where it is going to be supported and other important pieces of information. Then, the designer can create a truss that meets the requirements of the client and of local building codes.
Material selection: Some people prefer wood trusses, while others prefer metal. Whatever the preference, at this stage you will select the exact material you wish to use in your truss, likely based on expense, durability and other factors.
Creating a template: The manufacturing process is far more efficient and accurate when performed with a template. The manufacturer creates this template to outline exactly which pieces need to be used in which locations, how they will all fit together and where they will need to place plates.
Cutting: The next step is to actually cut the pieces out that are going to be used to build the trusses. There are a variety of methods you can use to cut your metal, so long as it fits your designs. All pieces must be cut accurately so they will meet the building specifications when complete.
Assembly: After all of the pieces for the trusses are cut, it’s time to put them together. The cut pieces of metal are inserted into the template created to make manufacturing easier. This ensures they match the design that has already been put in place. After this, the truss manufacturer puts the truss plates into place and prepares for the final step.
Pressing: The last step in manufacturing a roof truss is pressing. Here, with all of the metal cut and the truss plates put into their appropriate place, the whole assembly goes through a hydraulic press and receives a final inspection. Upon completion of the inspection, the truss is done and ready to be shipped out to the building site.

A truss manufacturer in Arkansas goes through this entire process hundreds of times per day, as it is one of the core processes associated with creating prefab buildings. It is a complicated yet necessary process that requires a great deal of know-how and experience to get done correctly every time.

For more information about the process of manufacturing custom trusses for prefab steel buildings, we encourage you to reach out to our team today at Adams Truss, Inc. We look forward to answering any questions you have for us!

The Most Common Mistakes to Avoid When Purchasing Prefab Steel Buildings

admin | September 15, 2016April 4, 2023

The choice to buy a steel building is not a decision you should make lightly. You are going to be putting a significant investment into this building and, in turn, your business or property. Therefore, you must exercise due diligence when researching prefab steel buildings and selecting one to place on your property.

Here are a few of the most common mistakes customers make when purchasing steel buildings. Talk to an experienced truss manufacturer in Arkansas ahead of time, and consider these mistakes and learn from them so you do not end up repeating them:

Pouring a concrete foundation before you actually have building plans: It’s understandable to be excited about getting the job started. But you would be amazed at how many times customers decide to go ahead with pouring a concrete foundation before they actually have plans for their steel building to refer to. It’s understandable to want to speed up the process, but ultimately, pouring the foundation could actually waste you a significant amount of time and money. Steel buildings are going to be subject to wind and weather forces, and your foundation needs to meet certain specifications to be safe for your particular project. By pouring your concrete before you have the plans, you run the risk of adding a step to the process: ripping out part or all of the foundation and starting over. That’s an absolute killer to your budget right there.
Getting your building equipment delivered before you’ve obtained a permit: Getting a permit to erect the building on your property should be one of the very first steps you take, before you even order the equipment you need to get the project done. Again, by getting your equipment delivered before you have approval, you run the risk of wasting a huge amount of money. If the building inspector or city official decides not to grant you the permit, you are likely stuck with a large amount of building materials and equipment that you can no longer use. You are solely responsible for the permitting process—your prefab steel building or truss manufacturer in Arkansas is not responsible. Your steel building has likely been engineered for your specific location, so once you have the materials, there is really no turning back. Do not make this mistake!
Buying materials from companies that do not have engineering departments: Whenever possible, you should work with manufacturing companies that have in-house engineers, or at least a long-term working relationship with local engineers. Many of these companies outsource their engineering and detailing overseas, which means that you will never have the chance to speak with or meet the individuals who are designing your project. Having this sort of working relationship with your engineer is extremely beneficial for your project.

These are three of the biggest mistakes you can make when preparing to erect a prefab steel building on your property. If you have any questions about ordering or designing steel buildings or are looking for more information about the variety of services we provide, we encourage you to reach out to today to Adams Truss, Inc., your trusted steel truss manufacturer in Arkansas.

Tips for Prefab Steel Building Construction

admin | August 15, 2016April 4, 2023

If you’ve never built a steel building before, there are two main things you should know: one, it is not nearly as difficult as you probably think it is, and two, you should probably still visit other steel or metal building projects near you just to get a good sense of how they work. Doing so will give you a better idea of ways you can save time and money once you begin your own prefab steel building project.

When you get the materials for your prefab steel building, they will be accompanied by some extremely detailed assembly instructions. These instructions are there for a reason; you should follow them to the letter, and read them thoroughly several times before you get started with your project.

Here are some tips for steel building construction in Arkansas using prefab materials:

Work safe: Create a “work safe plan” before you even begin the project. Safe work sites not only protect everyone working on the project, but also help to keep costs low. Improper handling of building materials or equipment could lead to significant injury or death, whereas doing the project right will keep you safe and give you a better end result.
Portion the project: Divide the job up into a variety of smaller individual jobs, and assign each of these tasks to small teams of workers. This will make the job go quicker while also ensuring each task has the appropriate amount of attention dedicated to it.
Use experienced workers: People who have training and experience in assembling prefab steel buildings will work faster, will take their safety extremely seriously and will ultimately create a much better building. They will also require less instruction and supervision, saving you a great deal of time.
Bolt pieces together before you raise them: Attach as many component pieces together as is possible and safe before raising them. This will save you a great deal of time, as it’s far easier to bolt these pieces while they are still on the ground.
Have all needed tools and equipment on hand: Give your workers everything they need to get the job done safely and efficiently. This is certain to make the project go much more smoothly.
Have a drainage plan: You never know when a big rainstorm is going to hit and potentially damage your construction site. Have proper drainage all over your work site to prevent water buildup during and after construction of your steel building.
Build the project in sections: Similar to how you portion the project among different workers, you should also focus on specific sections of the project one at a time rather than trying to accomplish everything at once. Work from one end to the other.

Follow these tips for putting together prefab steel buildings, and you’ll find that you will drastically limit your construction costs and keep yourself and all of your workers safe throughout the project. For more information about obtaining prefab steel buildings and handling steel building construction in Arkansas, we encourage you to reach out to us today at Adams Truss, Inc.

How to Purchase the Right Custom Roof Trusses for Steel Building Construction

admin | July 15, 2016April 4, 2023

Whenever you are ordering or purchasing custom roof trusses, you must already have a design in mind with accurate measurements. Manufacturers of custom roof trusses typically offer a number of different designs for various types of buildings. Usually you are going to want to go with a design that the manufacturer has in its selection, but if custom designs are necessary, you should have an accurate drawing of the design to ensure it is built to your exact specifications.

Here are a few tips for getting the most out of a custom roof truss for steel building construction in Arkansas:

Always measure correctly: The first and most important measurement you need for a roof truss is the width of the building, from the outside of one load-bearing wall to the outside of the opposite one. Determine exactly how much overhang you want in the roof, and make that a separate measurement. Then, determine the pitch of the roof, and make sure it complies with your local building codes. Pitch is the amount of rise in the roof for every 12” of length. Areas that get heavy snowfall during the winter should have a pitch of no less than 4/12.
Know if you want finished or unfinished ceilings: Trusses that are installed in buildings that are to have unfinished ceilings do not need to bear any weight on the bottom cord. However, if the ceiling is finished, you must also consider the weight of the drywall, fixtures and any other materials when ordering and designing your truss. You should be sure to list all potential additional materials that could affect truss weight in your specifications.
Know how many trusses you’ll need: The spacing of trusses depends on your local building codes and your exact building plans. They might be spaced every 16”, 18” or 24”. Therefore, you should measure out the length and width of the structure to determine the spacing and the amount of trusses you’ll need. If you do not meet local building codes, an inspector will shut down construction until you change your design to be in compliance, so it’s important to get this right the first time around to avoid this sort of inconvenience.
Order your custom roof trusses far in advance: Custom roof trusses take a while to make, as they must be built to your exact specifications. Therefore, you should order the trusses a minimum of four weeks in advance of construction, but preferably more. Ask your manufacturer for an estimate of how long your order will take well before you actually place the order, so you can make sure you’re setting yourself to meet your schedule.

These are just a few tips to help you better understand how to order custom roof trusses for your steel building construction in Arkansas and the types of factors you should have in mind. For more information about the services we provide and how you can order custom roof trusses from our company, contact us today at Adams Truss, Inc. We look forward to answering any questions you have.

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