I like the idea of having a large open area to work with regarding the kitchen, dining area, and living area. I have been seeing alot of these types of homes in differant areas and am curious as to how easy it would be to build a home out of the steel building.
in most places around the country you couldn’t do that because codes don’t allow it but you need to check with your local and state codes to be sure before you start your project. I would also personally contact the inspectors in your area and talk to them about the project before you start. I think the biggest problems with a project like that would be two things: insulation, and plumbing.
If this is an existing building, and depending on the size, you might have trouble insulating because of the vapor barrier problem. The way most corregated steel works it is not the most moisture proof system in the world. You would have to find a fool proof way of keeping moisture from the inside of the home, which I have no solution for.
The other problem, plumbing, would be costly to avoid in an existing building. Because most steel buildings floors are poured cement slabs, this makes it tough to run plumbing. The best thing you could do is to build a floor up with 2×4’s and lay an osb floor overtop of the frame. This gets expensing and still doesn’t allow for much room for a forced air heating system but you could still run a hydronic heating system.
as you research this more you can contact me at darrinscard@hotmail.com and I will try to answer any other questions you might have.
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codes here don’t allow it
References :
in most places around the country you couldn’t do that because codes don’t allow it but you need to check with your local and state codes to be sure before you start your project. I would also personally contact the inspectors in your area and talk to them about the project before you start. I think the biggest problems with a project like that would be two things: insulation, and plumbing.
If this is an existing building, and depending on the size, you might have trouble insulating because of the vapor barrier problem. The way most corregated steel works it is not the most moisture proof system in the world. You would have to find a fool proof way of keeping moisture from the inside of the home, which I have no solution for.
The other problem, plumbing, would be costly to avoid in an existing building. Because most steel buildings floors are poured cement slabs, this makes it tough to run plumbing. The best thing you could do is to build a floor up with 2×4’s and lay an osb floor overtop of the frame. This gets expensing and still doesn’t allow for much room for a forced air heating system but you could still run a hydronic heating system.
as you research this more you can contact me at darrinscard@hotmail.com and I will try to answer any other questions you might have.
References :
I want to convert a barn. A lot of places are doing loft conversions now, don’t let the downers answering spoil your dream.
References :
i live in one we had to bend the rules,but if you are serious e mail me.
References :
You can do this, but there are several hurdles and pitfalls you will have to clear / avoid.
1. Most residential buildings are wood frame. City / county residential codes usually freak when you try to introduce steel structural members into a house, mostly because they don’t deal with them. The commercial side does. Therefore, you will have to get involved with the commercial side of the city / county building department a bit more. There will be some jurisdictional issues, as well as code issues, that will have to be sorted out. Make sure that you allow plenty of time for the plans to be reviewed during the permit process.
2. Engineering / Design. Since steel members are not usually used in residential construction, you will want to find a structural engineer who has some experience with steel construction. Make sure that your Architect will coordinate with the Engineer to avoid conflicts in the plans.
3. Subcontractors. Residential subcontractors usually do, then ask. You will have to watch them carefully in order to ensure that they follow the plans and not deviate. Since your house will be a special house, the inspectors will be watching closely, especially if they assign a commercial inspector, not a residential inspector.
Hope this helps & good luck!
References :
I’m a construction superintendent.
There have been a number of steel-frame homes built in my area lately, mostly 10,000+ sq. ft. There are some companies with local reps that may be able to build it for you.
References :
http://www.kodiaksteelhomes.com/index.aspx
http://www.excalibursteel.com/better.htm
http://www.steelframekits.com/stlfrmhsg.htm
http://americansteelframeservices.com/