If you are looking for an extra space to house your tools or perhaps a small room where you can  spend more time tinkering your vehicle, then it is likely that you would like to have a new shed built within the confines of your property. However, as with any other type of construction, building a new shed from the ground up is not only time-consuming; it can also be costly especially if you are thinking of using premium quality materials. The good news is that you can still have a new shed built without necessarily spending a lot of cash and time. With a steel building kit, you can actually get an inexpensive, yet durable shed.

As its name suggests, a steel building kit or prefab steel frame building differs from other kinds of construction materials as its components are built completely off site. This means that there is very minimal construction needed to have the structure built in place. In fact, the only construction involved on the building site is the laying of foundation – usually a concrete slab – where the structure will stand.

Because a steel building kit is completely designed with ease of assembly in mind, you can actually build most of the part of the shed without employing the service of a professional contractor, except for the foundation. Here’s a simple guide how you can erect your shed using a steel building kit.

Foundation

A leveled and properly laid foundation is one of the most crucial aspect to having a durable steel shed. Hence, start by looking for a spot within your property that has a level surface that is large enough for the shed you would like to build. While all steel building kits come with the necessary information and drawings as to where and how you should set the anchor bolts of the structure, the process of laying the foundation is best left to the hands of a professional. Hence, seek the expertise of an experienced contractor for this part of the project to ensure that the concrete slab will lay flat on the ground and the anchor bolts project properly above the concrete surface. When all these are done correctly, erecting the entire steel shed will be a breeze.

Main frame

Once the concrete foundation is laid, the next step is to assemble the main frame, which is made up of the I-beam, rafters and columns. These components are already welded, cut and punched from the manufacturing site, allowing for ease of installation. Because some of the parts are heavy, you may need to ask assistance from another person when lifting. Then, you can bolt the parts together and integrate them into the foundation following the instructions from the kit. You may also need to use proper sealants to close parts where rainwater may seep through.

Secondary frame

Now that the main frame is standing, the next step is to integrate the secondary frame which is made up of girts, frame openings and purlins. Similar to the main frame components, the parts for the secondary framing are already pre-cut and pre-punched so that you can easily match the parts together. The secondary frame will also support the loads of the wall panels and roof sheeting of your shed.

Wall Panels, and Roof Sheeting

With both the main and secondary frames in place, you can proceed working on the wall panels, roof sheeting, and insulation. You will have to install the insulation first on the sidewalls (between the girt and wall panels) before you apply the wall panels. Once the insulation and wall panels are in place, you can start integrating the roof sheet to your shed. To prevent leaks, you may have to apply weather stripping.

Final Touches

To complete your steel shed, you need to install the trims and other accessories such as windows, door, vents. The addition of trim will provide a layer of protection to your shed against rain and snow and can also improve its aesthetics. When your steel structure is complete, which you can actually accomplish within a day or two, you can start using and enjoy its service for the years to come without worrying about maintenance.

Steel Buildings Design www.steelbuildingsdesign.co.uk is a UK-based company that designs, supplies and erects bespoke steel buildings for a wide variety of purposes. The article above was written by one of their regular contributors.