WHY COLD
FORMED STEEL?
Cold formed steel buildings, the technology behind our Hypersteel line, offers a compelling combination of speed, strength, and cost that neither pole barns nor traditional structural steel can match. Here's how they compare.
Cold-Formed
Typically 3 weeks from order to site. Lightest components. A 16' column weighs only 97 to 117 lbs. No crane needed.
Bolts to slab, piers, or strip using supplied steel base plates and drill-in anchors installed after pour. Engineered foundation plans included. 20–25% less concrete than structural steel.
Cold-formed posts and straight rafters. Components 4"–24" deep, 2½"–5" wide, 10ga–16ga steel. Pre-drilled plates, bolted and screwed together on site.
Galvanized directly from the steel mill, an integral part of the steel, not a coating. The longest lasting finish of the three types.
4'–96' clear span. Height 8'–30'. Length: unlimited. Design in 1/16" increments. Lean-tos, mezzanines, and eaves easily added.
100% recyclable steel components. Galvanized finish requires zero painting maintenance.
Rated Class 3 Noncombustible. Lower premiums than wood. Superior wind, snow, hail, and termite resistance.
(Pole Barn)
6–8 weeks. Combination of factory trusses and on-site lumber cutting. Oregon pine 16' 6x6 post weighs 122–142 lbs.
Posts set directly into augered holes, with or without concrete. Typically not engineered. Susceptible to settling and rot over time.
Straight posts and engineered roof trusses. Many connections cut and assembled on site. Suited to 24'–60' spans, maximum 16' eave height before cost escalates rapidly.
Chemically treated lumber. Moisture content varies. Color, grain, and finish vary across the same building. Requires ongoing maintenance.
24'–60' typical span. Max eave height ~16'. Wider spans and large doors add significant cost, so the competitive price advantage shrinks fast.
Lumber treated with chemical preservatives. Not recyclable. Higher long-term maintenance and replacement costs.
Class 1 Frame, the highest combustibility rating. Higher premiums. Wood susceptible to fire, termites, mold, rot, and wind damage.
Steel (PEMB)
8–16 weeks. 16' column weighs 200–250 lbs. Crane or heavy forklift required for unloading.
Cast-in anchor bolts must be set before concrete is poured, so accuracy is critical. Foundation plans typically not included; local engineer required.
Tapered welded columns and rafters. Heavy, engineered for very large spans, crane bays, and tall buildings. Some on-site welding and drilling may be required.
Painted finish (typically red oxide primer). Intended only as transport/construction protection, easily damaged and needs repainting.
Unlimited span and height. Most economical for spans over 50'. Ideal for Walmart-scale warehouses, open arenas, and very tall buildings.
Steel is recyclable. Higher material and transport weight than cold-formed.
Also Class 3 Noncombustible but heavier construction costs mean higher rebuild value and higher premiums.
Anatomy of a Cold-Formed Building
Every component of a Hypersteel™ cold-formed building is made from cold-rolled steel, precision-engineered and pre-drilled at the factory. No welding required, your crew bolts it together on site. Footing and foundation engineering is included, and these ship much faster than PEMB.
Anatomy of a Pre-Engineered Building
A Pre-Engineered (PEMB) structure uses welded primary frames and cold-rolled secondary members, delivered as a complete bolt-together kit. PEMB systems carry longer lead times and typically do not include footing and foundation engineering.
Cold-formed steel buildings are classified as Construction Class 3: Noncombustible, the same class as structural steel, and two full classes above a wood pole barn. That means lower fire risk, lower premiums, and real long-term savings. Steel also outperforms wood on wind, snow/ice loads, hail impact, water damage, and termite risk. All of these are factors your insurer weighs when calculating your rate.