As you’re researching different building options for commercial or industrial use, you may have heard about clear-span metal buildings and want to learn more about what they are and if they’re a good solution for your needs.
We’ve created this guide to help. Here, we’ll discuss what a clear-span metal building is, different design options, industries this type of building works well for, and more. Stick around for all the details.
Key Takeaways
- Clear-span metal buildings are a top choice when you need a sturdy and versatile solution.
- The design creates a wide-open space when you need to operate large equipment, store lots of materials, or create a great shopping experience.
- Many design options are available that suit varying use cases in different industries.
What Is a Clear-Span Building?
The span of a building describes the horizontal distance between two structural elements, such as walls, columns, beams, or joists. When you hear the term “clear-span building,” it means that there are no support columns needed to support the structure, leaving the interior of the building wide open.
If you compare a clear-span vs. multi-span building, you’ll see a big difference. A multi-span building is an alternative design with several support columns on the interior. It ends up dividing the building into different sections, or spans. However, interior columns can also get in the way in some cases.
Having a completely wide-open space on the interior of your building is beneficial for many use cases. For example, farmers maneuvering large tractors in and out of a steel barn will appreciate not having to drive around large support columns. Or warehouses moving stock in and out and storing it around the facility will value having an open space to drive forklifts and easily move pallets.
How Clear-Span Engineering Works
Now, you might wonder how clear-span steel buildings are engineered to remain sturdy without support columns inside. The main component is the use of a rigid frame system. A rigid frame building is designed with a continuous steel frame that distributes loads outward.
Therefore, even when your building encounters forces from elements like snow or wind, they’re channeled down the primary frame to the foundation, eliminating the need for interior supports.
Clear-span structures also benefit from the use of strong metals like steel. Using steel gives your building a much higher strength-to-weight ratio compared to alternative materials like wood.
It’s especially beneficial to look for clear-span building manufacturers that use galvanized steel or red iron steel since they’re known for being durable, resisting rust and corrosion, and holding up well against harsh weather.
Types of Clear-Span Structures
There are also different types of clear-span metal buildings you’ll want to consider. Some may work better than others depending on your use case. Here’s an overview of the most popular options:
Tapered I-Beam Rigid Frame
Tapered I-beams are a popular choice for clear-span buildings because of their cost-efficiency and design flexibility. This design will use beams manufactured from steel plates to form an I-shape. The thickest plates are used in areas bearing the highest load, making it cost-effective to create rigid frames.
This type of design is often preferred for office buildings, warehouses, and retail shops that require maximum floor space.
Single-Span Rigid Frame
A single-span rigid frame design will have rafters that extend across the width of the building, providing a strong support structure. Factories, sports arenas, restaurants, and indoor skating rinks often benefit from this wide and open design.
Single-Slope (Mono-Slope) Rigid Frame
The single-slope rigid frame design will have a unique design where the roof tilts to one side to manage drainage and rainwater runoff. It’s best for buildings that require one-way roof drainage based on their placement or location. Many gyms, hangars, and industrial facilities use this design.
Open Web Truss Buildings
An open web truss building will have a unique appearance along the ceiling. This type of structure creates a webbed system of joists, often connected in triangular patterns along the ceiling, and secured together with larger steel beams.
It’s common to see this design in big retail box stores that need to create a supportive, clear-span structure that covers a lot of square footage.
Quonset (Arch Steel Buildings)
Quonset steel buildings are known for their semi-circular appearance, especially around the roof line. The design gained popularity for military use during World War I, but is now a popular design for businesses, storage facilities, and on farms. For example, many farms use this design for buildings meant to store equipment, produce, and feed.
This design is popular because of its structural integrity and durability since it efficiently resists elements like wind and snow.
Fabric Clear-Span Structures
A fabric structure is popular for portable designs, such as when you need to set up a covered area at event venues. It uses a durable steel frame, and the outside is covered in heavy-duty fabric rather than sturdier permanent walls that many of the other designs listed above will use.
Cold-Formed Steel Clear-Span Buildings
Buildings that use cold-formed steel are another option when you need something that’s lightweight, cost-effective, and versatile. Cold-formed steel is manufactured by blending thin steel sheets at room temperature. It’s an eco-friendly material that’s fully recyclable to support sustainable building practices.
Cold-formed steel is often best for garages and small commercial projects. It’s a sturdy material, but not as strong and durable as other options like galvanized or red iron steel.
Advantages of Clear-Span Metal Buildings
Why opt for a clear-span metal building? Here are some of the key advantages:
Unobstructed Interior Space
As mentioned earlier, one of the main advantages of a clear-span building is that there aren’t any columns on the interior that will get in your way. That’s beneficial for facilities or farms that use large equipment or retail stores that need wide open areas.
Maximum Space Utilization
Interior columns that divide up a space will also take up valuable square footage. When you’re storing products, machinery, or materials, all the space you have available counts.
Design Flexibility
Clear-span buildings work for many use cases, so if you want to sell the building at some point or are renting out a building you own, it’ll make it much more appealing to many potential buyers or renters.
Long-Term Cost Efficiency
Buildings made from sturdy metals like steel with a rigid design are very durable and require minimal maintenance. That makes it a great long-term investment for cost-efficiency over time.
Challenges and Limitations
The two main challenges and limitations with clear-span metal buildings are a higher upfront cost and complex engineering and load requirements, especially with larger spans.
Designing a rigid structure that can support itself without interior columns is more complex and will cost more upfront on average. The complexity will increase with larger spaces, such as big retail box stores that cover more square footage, so it’s important to consider the costs involved ahead of time.
Fortunately, many manufacturers can help you find prefab designs or come up with custom designs that meet your needs while staying within your budget. It’s a good idea to reach out and get a quote based on your needs while researching options.
Common Applications of Clear-Span Buildings
Businesses in many industries can benefit from a clear-span metal building, including:
- Farms and agriculture to create wide open barns and buildings for equipment storage
- Industrial warehousing and manufacturing facilities that need enough room to operate large machines and store products and materials
- Aircraft hangars that need enough space to maneuver and store planes and helicopters
- Sports and recreational facilities that require an open area for games and seating
- Retail stores and showrooms for open product displays and an ideal shopping experience
- Churches and community centers that need space to host large services, receptions, and activities
- RV and boat storage centers that need to store and maneuver large vehicles and boats
Typical Costs for Popular Clear-Span Sizes
As you’re researching options, it’s common to wonder about the costs involved. Pricing will vary depending on the company you purchase from, the building’s size, design, and materials used, so it’s best to get a custom quote based on your exact needs.
However, to give you some rough estimates, here are average prices for clear-span metal building kits in popular sizes:
- 30×40 building: $24,000
- 40×60 building: $43,200
- 50×100 building: $75,000
On average, a prefab kit will cost $15-20 per square foot.
If you opt for turnkey installation, costs average between $24-43 per square footfor the kit, labor, concrete slab, and delivery.
Clear-Span Metal Buildings from US Patriot Steel
At US Patriot Steel, we’re dedicated to providing high-quality American-made steel building options to customers across the U.S. That includes clear-span metal buildings with certified engineering and custom design options. Whether you’re looking for a prefab kit or a custom design based on your needs, we’re here to help.
With 50 years of experience and a 60-year structural warranty on our buildings, you can feel confident in your purchase knowing you’re working with a company that stands behind its work.
Want to learn more about our options? Reach out to get a custom quote today or contact us with any questions you have.
Call Us: (888) 415-1576