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Metal Building FAQ
Everything you need to know about our metal buildings, from ordering to installation. Get answers on delivery, certification, steel gauge, foundations, financing, and warranties.
7 min read
Updated January 2025
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get a metal building delivered and installed?
Most Pro Steel Structures buildings are delivered and installed within 4 to 6 weeks of order confirmation. Customers within driving distance of one of our manufacturing hubs can sometimes receive their building in as little as 2 to 3 weeks. Four things move that timeline up or down: • Building size — a 12×20 carport is faster than a 60×100 commercial shop. • Site readiness — a level, accessible pad lets the crew start the same day they arrive. • Customization — extra doors, windows, lean-tos, or insulation packages add a few days. • Weather — installation pauses for high wind, lightning, or unsafe ground conditions. A typical residential garage is up in 4–8 hours. Larger barns and commercial buildings usually take 1 to 3 days.
How long does a Pro Steel Structures metal building last?
A properly installed Pro Steel building is engineered to last 40 to 60+ years with very little maintenance. Many of the buildings we installed over a decade ago still look new today. Three things drive that lifespan: • Galvanized steel framing that does not rust, rot, warp, or attract pests. • A 20-year rust-through warranty on Galvalume roof and wall panels. • A solid, level foundation that prevents settling and water pooling. A quick once-a-year check of fasteners, trim, and drainage is all most owners ever do.
What is the difference between a certified and non-certified metal building?
A certified metal building is engineered and stamped to meet your county's wind speed, snow load, and seismic requirements. A non-certified building uses the same materials but does not include engineered drawings, so it cannot be permitted in most jurisdictions. Choose certified if: • Your county requires a building permit (most do). • You live in a hurricane, tornado, heavy-snow, or earthquake zone. • You plan to add the structure to your homeowner's insurance policy. Choose non-certified if you are in a rural area with no permit requirement and want the lowest possible price. Not sure which applies to you? Call us at (800) 719-7285 — we check local code requirements as part of every quote.
Should I choose 12-gauge or 14-gauge steel framing?
Steel gauge measures thickness — and lower numbers are thicker and stronger. Both options are galvanized for corrosion resistance. • 14-gauge framing is the industry standard. It is the right choice for most residential garages, carports, and barns in normal weather zones. • 12-gauge framing is roughly 25% thicker. We recommend it for commercial use, areas with heavy snow loads, sustained high winds, or any building larger than 30 feet wide. Most Pro Steel customers in coastal, mountain, and Plains states upgrade to 12-gauge. Customers in milder climates typically stay with 14-gauge to save on cost.
What can I customize on a Pro Steel metal building?
Almost every part of the building is configurable. The most common options our customers choose: • Dimensions — width 12'–60', length unlimited in 5' increments, leg height 6'–20'. • Roof style — regular, A-frame horizontal, or vertical (the strongest, recommended for snow and rain). • Steel gauge — 12-gauge or 14-gauge framing; 26-gauge or 29-gauge panels. • Color — 15+ panel colors and contrasting trim, including two-tone combinations at no extra cost. • Doors and windows — roll-up garage doors, walk-in doors, framed openings, sliding barn doors. • Insulation — single-bubble, double-bubble, or full fiberglass batt packages. • Anchoring — concrete wedge, asphalt, mobile-home, or rebar anchors. • Lean-tos and porches — added to one or both sides for extra covered space. Our design team builds your quote around how you actually plan to use the building.
What financing is available for a metal building?
Pro Steel Structures offers three ways to pay: • Rent-to-own — no credit check, low monthly payments, ownership after a fixed term. Popular for buildings under $15,000. • Bank financing — fixed-rate personal loans up to $200,000 through our lending partners. Most customers get a decision in 2–3 business days. • Cash purchase — a small deposit at order, with the balance due once the building is installed. Visit our financing page to compare lender options or call us for a rent-to-own quote.
Are delivery and installation included in the price?
Yes. Every Pro Steel Structures price includes free delivery and professional installation in the continental United States. There are no hidden delivery fees, no separate labor charges, and no surprise add-ons at the install date. To keep installation on schedule, your site needs to be: • Level — within 4 inches of grade across the building footprint. • Accessible — clear path for a long delivery trailer. • Prepared — concrete slab, gravel pad, asphalt, or compacted dirt depending on the anchor type you chose. We send foundation specs with every order so your contractor knows exactly what to pour or grade.
Which metal roof style is best for my climate?
Three roof styles, each suited to a different environment: • Regular roof — horizontal panels with rounded corners. The most affordable option. Best for mild, dry climates without snow. • A-frame horizontal (boxed-eave) roof — peaked roofline with horizontal panels and closed gables. Good for moderate climates and a more residential look. • Vertical roof — peaked roofline with panels running top to bottom. Sheds snow, rain, and debris faster than any other style. Required for any building over 36 feet long. Recommended for snow, mountain, and heavy-rain regions. If you are unsure, the vertical roof is the safest long-term choice — and our most popular by a wide margin.
Why buy from Pro Steel Structures instead of another dealer?
We're a family-owned, factory-direct dealer based in North Carolina, shipping nationwide. Six things make us different: • Factory-direct pricing — no middleman, no markup, no commissioned sales team. • 15+ years of experience and 500+ buildings installed across all 50 states. • Every quote checked against your local building code before you sign. • In-house installation crews — not subcontracted day labor. • 20-year rust-through warranty backed by the manufacturer. • A real person answers the phone at (800) 719-7285 — including after the sale.
What kind of foundation do I need for a metal building?
The right foundation depends on what you are building and how you plan to use it: • Concrete slab — best for garages, workshops, commercial buildings, and anywhere you want a finished floor. Typically 4 inches thick with rebar or wire mesh. • Gravel pad — a cost-effective option for carports, hay storage, and equipment shelters. 4–6 inches of compacted #57 stone over a level base. • Asphalt — works for carports and light-use structures already on a paved area. • Compacted dirt or grass — fine for basic open carports using mobile-home or rebar anchors. We send a foundation diagram with your order so your concrete or grading contractor knows the exact dimensions and anchor locations.
How do I get a quote for a metal building?
Three easy ways to get a free, no-obligation quote: 1. Call (800) 719-7285 and speak with a building specialist. Most quotes take under 10 minutes. 2. Fill out the online quote form and we'll respond within one business day. 3. Use our 3D building designer to configure your building and pricing live. Every quote includes the building, delivery, and installation — no hidden costs.
Where does Pro Steel Structures deliver and install?
We deliver and install metal buildings in all 48 contiguous United States. From North Carolina to California, Texas to Maine — if you can get a delivery trailer to your site, we can install your building. Use our state pages to see climate-specific recommendations and code information for your area.
What sizes of metal buildings can I order?
Pro Steel Structures builds from 12'×20' single carports up to 60'-wide commercial clear-span buildings, with length expandable in 5-foot increments. The most popular residential sizes are 24'×30' (two-car garage), 30'×40' (workshop with vehicle storage), and 40'×60' (agricultural barn). If you need a custom dimension, we can almost always accommodate it.
What warranty comes with a Pro Steel metal building?
Every Pro Steel Structures building includes: • 20-year rust-through warranty on Galvalume roof and wall panels. • 1-year workmanship warranty on installation. • Manufacturer warranties on roll-up doors, walk-in doors, and windows (typically 1–10 years depending on component). Full warranty terms are written into your purchase contract — no fine print, no surprises.
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