QUONSET HUT & STEEL BUILDING EXPERTS

The bolt-together arch design truly does make most quonsets a DIY project.

The reason we say 'most' and not all is because:

1. it's dependant on your physical ability which we do not know
2. Large industrial warehouses or other large-scale buildings may be better handled by a professional due to the height you will be working at.

One part you may want to consider a professional for, is the foundation. A factory engineer can discuss those requirements with you.

Due to the durability of this style of building, most buildings will come with a warranty from either the manufacturer or distributor.

Be sure to read the details of your warranty agreement carefully since coverage will vary. Typically Quonsets will be warrantied against manufacturing defects, along with 'rust perforation' warranties which mean they are protected against the panels rusting through.

The warranty period will vary from one manufacturer to the next, however, the industry standard is a 25-35 year warranty.

Some situations such as proximity to salt water and other factors may affect your coverage so ensure you review all details with your representative.

The cost of a quonset can be a bit of a loaded question so we always recommend speaking with a building consultant, and it's the reason each building must be quoted individually.

The price per square foot of a quonset decreases the larger the building is. They can start as low as $20 per square foot, however, you then have other considerations such as:

• customizations like windows and doors
• load requirements such as snow and wind loads which can require thicker steel
• local building code requirements
• whether the panels are painted or not
• shipping costs (a significant factor for a steel building)
• the foundation style chosen and requirements
• additional elements such as wiring, plumbing, foundation baseplates, etc.

We recommend requesting a quote here and finding a supplier who can provide the best price for your steel building.

Quonsets have been made with a wide variety of metals throughout history, but these days the majority of North American quonsets are made using Galvalume^TM steel by Arcelormittel.

Galvalume is steel that is hot-dipped in a 55% aluminum, 45% zinc alloy. This has two major benefits:

1. The aluminum-zinc coating provides stain resistance
2. The coating is rust-resistant and the reason most quonset buildings come with a rust-perforation warranty

Absolutely. Insulation is not always necessary, but if you do require it, there are two options available:

1. Manufacturer insulation kits - These make insulation easy. It includes a layer of insulation, a plastic backing to nicely finish off the look of your walls and pins which hold the insulation in place.
2. Spray Foam Insulation - Spray foam is a bit more expensive, but it has a high insulation rating. This method is exactly what it sounds like and a technician will use a spray gun to apply layers of insulation to the interior of the building.

If you are already convinced that going with a quonset building for your home addition or a new business structure is a way to go, the next step of the process is to find the right steel building contractors.

There are many types of steel building contractors out there. Not all of them might be the right fit for your particular needs. You might find yourself over paying in certain situations. It’s too easy to spend too much money. After all, the main reason you are putting up a steel building in the first place is primarily to save money, right? Well, follow the tips below so you can get in touch with the right steel building contractors. Avoid a situation where you’re just paying too much money for labor that you could buy for much lower price elsewhere.

One of the biggest expenses of putting up any building in Canada is the amount of labor involved.

1. Labor is expensive both on a skill basis as well as on a quantity basis.
2. The more time it takes to put up a building, the more the building will cost.
3. The more skills needed to put up that building, the more the building will cost.

It really is that simple. If you go with a pre-made garage or a pre-made building strategy, you reduce both these costs. Since it doesn’t take much skill to put up your building, you save money. Since it doesn’t take much time to essentially install your building, you save money.

These buildings are engineered to meet the snow load requirements of your local building codes and conditions.

Typically buildings can handle a load of around 20lbs, however, quonset huts can be engineered and gauged to accommodate any requirements.

Be sure to speak with the factory engineer regarding your local building requirements in Canada.

The thickness of steel is called it's 'Gauge'. It may seem counterintuitive, but the higher the gauge, the thinner the steel. 10 gauge is 3.416mm thick and it gets thinner as you go up in gauge.

Quonsets typically come in 22 gauge steel. You can rest assured that even at this gauge the steel is incredibly durable and isn't something you could ever bend by hand.

If you live in a region with high snow loads, wind loads, or other building code requirements, then a thicker gauge of steel is required including 12 gauge.

While painting is not required, the building can be painted. Many Quonset hut manufacturers also offer factory painted panels in many colours.

We always recommend going with the factory painted panels since the quality of the paint used and factory-application ensures a long low-maintenance life.

If you are interested in factory painted panels, be sure to inquire if the paint is warrantied. Often factories will guarantee the pre-painted panels and offer warranties as long as 40 years.

This varies by municipality, but in most cases yes you will need a building permit.

Most regions do not require permits for buildings which are under 10 square feet. There may also be a loophole where they do not require permits for temporary buildings so you may be able to make a case for the building being temporary if you install it on a movable foundation like railway ties.

A building consultant may be able to answer this question for your specific location, based on their past experience but we always recommend speaking with your local building department.