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I-beam Rigid Frame |
Light Gauge Frame |
| Engineering |
Design relatively unchanged since the 1950's. Brute strength frames held
up by a mass of concrete, whose sole purpose is to hold steel sheathing
against the weather. |
The light gauge steel building is a
revolutionary product. A more graceful design that considers not only
how to keep the weather at bay, but also provide for the interior finish
of the structure, exterior finish, while providing energy efficiency to
the owner. Counter balancing members relieve the need for large
concrete piers. |
| Roof Slope |
Generally 1/4:12 roof slope up to 2:12 |
Usually 4:12 or 5:12. Steeper roofs shed rain and
snow faster |
| Condensation |
Condensation occurs on the underside of all roof sheathing material, whether wood,
concrete, or steel. Rigid frame style buildings generally have no
ventilation under the metal roof sheet. Condensation collects in
the vinyl of the insulation. |
In the typical light gauge metal
building, as with wood framed structures, attic ventilation carries the
moisture out of the building. Higher roof slopes and separate attic
space causes natural air convection to vent moisture away. |
| Interior Rain |
Because of heavy steel nearly direct exposure to the exterior temperatures and to
the occupied area, condensation will form on the steel purlins and
girts, perhaps even raining inside the structure. |
Members contacting the exterior are
separated from the members contacting the occupied area, so very little
condensation can occur. |
| Interior Wall Finish |
Rigid frame buildings have no
provision for sheetrock interior. You must frame another wall on
the interior of the steel building wall in order to hang the sheetrock. |
Light gauge framed buildings receive
sheetrock, any other conventional finish, as naturally as your home.
At most, you will need steel furring hats as you might use in a concrete
basement. |
| Sheetrock Ceiling |
Not easily achieved. A grid
framework must be built and hung from the primary structure. |
Like the walls, sheetrock is easy on
bottom of steel trusses, either directly or on furring hats installed
easily to the bottom of the truss. |
| Exterior Wall Finish |
Rigid frame buildings are designed for
steel sheeted walls. For other finishes such as brick, stucco, or
vinyl you must build a conventional wall on the exterior of the steel
building wall in order to mount the sheathing for the conventional
finish. |
Light gauge framed buildings receive
other conventional finish as naturally as your home. Systems that
use hat section girts, only need to set the spacing to 2 ft on center
rather than the typical 3 ft on center. |
| Plywood roof |
Expensive. Must replace roof sheeting with
"B"-deck, a heavy steel deck used for flat roofs and concrete floor.
Then attach plywood the deck |
No extra work required. Simply replace sheeting with
plywood. Systems that
use hat section purlins, only need to set the spacing to 2 ft on center
rather than the typical 3 ft on center. |
| Columns |
Heavy steel columns protrude into the
occupancy space at the wall and at the ceiling. Can be 3 or 4 feet
deep. These are the boxes you see around the perimeter of your
church, office building, or store. Often require extra
fireproofing. |
No columns to protrude in your
occupancy space. Nothing to box around. Walls are smooth.
Likewise, there are no large rafters pushing your ceiling down in order
to hide them. |
| Windows & Doors |
Must be located around columns. Door size limited to
fit between frames. |
No columns to dodge. Openings can be located anywhere
on wall. Easy to change opening location after it is manufactured. |
| Insulation |
3" or 3 1/2" thick, installed over the purlins,
where it is compressed such that insulating capability is lost. |
10" insulation provides R32. The insulation
installs between the trusses at the ceiling. The insulating
capability in not compromised since the insulation is not compressed
over the purlins. |
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