BUILDING YOUR NEW STEEL BUILDING IN 3D!!!
Structural
Steel Buildings
Magnum Metals not only offers the most outstanding quality and performance in pre-engineered steel buildings, they also offer all the needed components for structural steel buildings as well. While both are outstanding products and solutions to your steel building needs, there are times where each has its place and is a better choice.
Structural steel buildings are constructed using individual steel members—like I-beams, columns, and braces—that are custom engineered and fabricated to create a fully tailored structural framework, offering maximum design flexibility for unique layouts, heavy loads, or complex architectural features. In contrast, pre-engineered steel buildings are designed as complete systems in a factory, where the primary and secondary framing components are manufactured to work together before being shipped to the job site for fast assembly. The key difference comes down to customization versus efficiency: structural steel allows for more design freedom and adaptability on complex projects, while pre-engineered buildings prioritize speed, cost savings, and streamlined construction for more standardized building applications.
Structural steel is often the better choice when a project requires custom engineering, complex architecture, or heavy load demands that go beyond the limits of a standardized building system. It’s ideal for structures with unusual shapes, multi-story designs, large clear spans, crane systems, mezzanines, or heavy equipment loads where precise beam sizing and connection detailing are critical. Structural steel also works better for buildings that must tie into existing structures, meet specialized architectural aesthetics, or comply with unique engineering or code requirements. In situations where design flexibility, future expansion, or highly specific performance matters more than speed of construction, structural steel provides the strength and adaptability needed to get it done right.
Steel Building
Cheat Sheet
Side Wall Girt
Main Rafter
Formed Ridge Cap
Rake Trim
Outside Corner Trim
Base Angle
End Wall Column
End Wall Rafter
Jamb/Header Cover
End Wall Girt
Eave Strut
Door Header
Walk Door
Jamb Trim
Main Column
Cable Bracing
Insulation
Gutter Eave Trim
Skylight
Coiling Door
Door Jamb
Downspout w/ 45*
Window
Roof Purlin
Steel buildings are made up of many different components, and understanding how they all work together can sometimes feel overwhelming. That’s why Magnum Metals is here to guide you through the entire process, helping you learn what each part does and how it fits into your project. We provide a clear diagram that breaks down the structure visually, making it easier to follow along when discussing frames, panels, trim, and other essential pieces. By giving you a detailed look at the layout, we help ensure you know exactly what you’re getting and can feel confident in every decision along the way.
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What is the difference between structural steel and pre-engineered steel buildings?
Structural steel buildings are custom-designed systems built from individual steel members that are engineered specifically for a project’s loads, layout, and long-term use, making them ideal for complex designs, heavy equipment, wide spans, or future expansion. Pre-engineered steel buildings, by contrast, rely on standardized, factory-designed components that are optimized for speed and cost efficiency, working best for simple, repetitive layouts with predictable loads. While pre-engineered buildings offer faster turnaround and lower upfront costs, structural steel provides greater design flexibility, higher load capacity, and superior adaptability for demanding applications where strength, customization, and longevity matter most.