About a Steel Building Exterior

Variety

• Options for the exterior of a steel building depend on the company offering the product. Some steel buildings are built with stainless steel exteriors, while others use composite metal wall panels composed only partly of steel. Steel panels tend to be more expensive than their less durable counterparts, copper and aluminum. Aluminum is used more often than steel because of its light weight and corrosion resistance.

Panels

• The exteriors of steel buildings are usually composed of a number of different panels, each cut in a manner that makes them easier to connect to one another. These panels generally have a set of ridges that allows the panels to overlap on the ends and fit together. The panels are usually secured with some type of sealant tape, which forms a barrier from outside moisture and air. Panels are attached to the building frame with either nails or metal screws.

Composite Materials

• Some steel buildings consist of steel walls and roofs made of composite materials. Many of these composite materials provide additional insulation to the steel exterior of the building. For instance, some steel buildings consist of wall panels composed of steel with attached foam insulation, which was added during the manufacturing process. Others consist of panels that have been insulated with other types of materials, such as insulation panels and preformed insulation board. Steel building exteriors can stand on their own, but these composite materials offer further insulation and protection from the elements.

Decorative Finishes

• Steel building exteriors need not come only in corrugated white panels. Instead, companies that construct steel buildings or provide steel building supplies offer a variety of color options. Some exteriors are decorated with other materials. For instance, some companies offer materials that appear to be natural stone or stucco but are actually synthetic coverings designed exclusively for steel exteriors.