The Popularity of Steel Buildings: Now and Then

The Popularity of Steel Buildings: Now and Then

Today, steel buildings are one of the top selections for more intricate and larger configurations because there have been so many developments and improvements over the past half century. Formerly, the expression “metal structure” was associated with unsightly sheds and economy structures, but today, commercial quality steel is used for modern agricultural structures, auto repair facilities, aircraft hangars, and many other purposes. The first use of all-steel structures took off in the early 1900s and one of the first configurations was a garage. Soon after, steel was implemented in the construction of storage structures and small businesses. Farm structures and numerous other agricultural uses soon followed in the 1920s as wood was replaced by ranchers and farmers with buildings using steel. Rigid structural frames were introduced as a strong and durable assembly style and they became popular during the 1940s when the first types of pre-fabricated structures forming a rigid steel framework configuration were used. This framework system is still in use today and is a recognized form of building for many applications. Larger and more diversified buildings became available to businesses at a lower price, offering a faster construction period. After the 1940s, steel aircraft hangars rapidly started to displace older ones that utilized alternative resources. Towards the end of the 1940s, pre-fabricated structures began featuring greater engineering flexibility and larger areas. In 1956, the Metal Building Manufacturers Association was established and this alliance standardized steel building manufacturing, and started a push towards innovation and a larger appeal to a wider consumer audience. One million dollars in pre-engineered steel building construction closed the 1950s–which increased markedly to nearly $2.5 billion dollars in construction in the year 2000. Steel will continue to grow in popularity as a building material in the 21st century. Despite a rise in the cost of steel recently, consumers, firms, and organizations are continuing to select high quality steel as their building material of choice because it still compares favorably in cost and versatility to other building materials.