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7 Things to Consider Before Buying a Steel Quonset Hut™

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Is a Quonset hut right for me?

While we love Quonset Huts, we understand they might not suit everyone. Some prefer the look and feel of traditional buildings, but Quonset huts offer unique advantages that set them apart. Made from commercial-grade steel and featuring an arch design, Quonset Huts are incredibly resilient and capable of withstanding extreme weather conditions such as heavy snow, strong winds, hail storms, and even seismic activity.

Additionally, their clear-span design maximizes usable interior space, eliminating the need for beams or trusses and allowing for flexible customization. Not only are Quonset Huts easy to assemble, reducing construction costs, but they also require minimal maintenance over time, offering long-term savings and peace of mind.

How will I use the building?

Once you determine that you want a Quonset Hut, you’ll have to know exactly how you will use it.

SteelMaster’s buildings have been used for both residential and commercial projects for varying applications including:

Storage

  • Salt & Bulk storage
  • Agricultural Storage
  • Equipment Storage

Garages

  • 1 Car Garage
  • 2 Car Garage
  • RV Storage

Architectural Design Concepts

  • Container Covers
  • Roofing Systems
  • Custom Projects

Many customers even use their Quonset hut kits to build their dream homes!

Knowing the use of the building will help our engineers ensure you have the correct design for your needs and that you meet all of the building codes for your specific location.

What size building do I need?

When planning to construct a building, it’s essential to choose a land size that accommodates your structure and any additional space you may need. For a Quonset hut, the land requirements can vary based on the building’s size and intended use.

Residential Quonset Huts: A small to medium-sized Quonset Hut, such as a 20×20 or 24×24, can fit comfortably on a quarter-acre lot, leaving space for surrounding yards and driveways.

Larger Quonset Huts: If you’re considering a larger structure, such as a 30×40 Quonset Hut, you’ll need at least a half-acre of land. This allows for sufficient space around the building for access, maintenance, and landscaping.

Commercial or Agricultural Use: For commercial or agricultural purposes, the land size may need to be significantly larger. For example, a 40×60 Quonset Hut used for farming equipment storage or as a workshop would ideally be situated on one to two acres to accommodate the building and the necessary working space around it.

SteelMaster offers several different models in different sizes to meet your specific needs. Our kits start at 20’ and go up to 40’ in width, with our most popular kits being 20′ x 20′ and 20′ x 24′. However we can engineer buildings of any size to meet your needs.  All models allow customers the freedom to tailor the building to their specific needs while also providing protection from nature’s elements. The length is determined in 2’ increments and can be adjusted to alter the size of the building in the future.

What’s my budget?

Quonset kits are available starting at $5,500, offering exceptional quality at a low price. Backed by a 50-year warranty, SteelMaster Quonset huts can be shipped and constructed affordably.

After determining a size, you have to decide if you want windows, skylights, special roll-up doors, lighting, etc. Every component will add to the cost of the building.

But be careful when you’re comparing prices. Although SteelMaster offers competitive pricing, that should never be the primary factor when deciding on a building. As with any product, the lowest price on the market is not always the best option. Other companies may lure you in with low prices, but when you read the fine print, you’ll realize you get exactly what you pay for—low quality and a big headache.

What are my load requirements?

If you live in an area that experiences brutal winter weather, you’ll certainly want to invest in a building that can handle the weight of heavy snow loads.

Most traditional-style buildings leak and can collapse under the weight of heavy snow. SteelMaster’s curved steel buildings can support the load and the melting snow won’t leak into your building.

Also, if you plan to hang heavy items inside your building, you’ll need a strong building that will handle internal weight as well.

Your building specialist will determine your local wind and snow loads to ensure your building is engineered to meet your area’s requirements.

Who is going to build it?

One of the great things about Quonset hut buildings is that you can build it yourself.

SteelMaster’s building kits are pre-punched and pre-drilled at the factory to make it easy for anyone, even a beginner, to put together one of our DIY Quonset Huts.

Some of the advantages of building your prefabricated Quonset hut include:

  • Cost Effective: You can save money on construction crews and contractors by doing it yourself.
  • Rapid Assembly: With all the components pre-engineered and ready to assemble, you can significantly reduce the time it takes to build your structure compared to traditional construction methods.
  • Customizable: The design flexibility of Quonset huts allows you to modify and expand your structure as needed, ensuring it meets your specific requirements.

For larger projects, bringing in a professional might be a wise choice. SteelMaster’s arches are straightforward to assemble, which reduces construction time and helps cut down on labor costs.

When do you want your project completed?

When you need to get a building erected quickly, a steel Quonset Hut is an ideal solution. To ensure a smooth process, it’s crucial to have a timeline and plan set between one and six months before starting construction.

Constructing an average-sized Quonset hut can be done with just a few friends, a few days, and some imagination. Our building kits are designed to make the process straightforward, requiring only one size of bolt and nut for assembly.

By planning ahead and setting a clear timeline, you can ensure your Quonset Hut project is completed efficiently, providing you with a durable and versatile structure in a short amount of time.

 

Looking for more information about steel buildings? Check out the SteelMaster Resource Center and get started on your next project!