For this Couple, Steel’s All Wright

In Rhinebeck, NY—roughly 400 miles northwest of Mill Run, PA—there is a mini-compound of three Steel Buildings situated together amongst many trees. One of the buildings functions as a home, the other a garage, and the third a studio.

The three buildings are pleasing enough to look at and all feature a Quonset-style form with arched roofs and many vertical windows that mimic the length of the trees that surround them. Passersby may think it curious that owners Andy Weintraub and his wife chose steel buildings instead of a more customary material like wood, but the Weintraub’s had a plan. Whether they realized it at the time or not, that plan utilized ‘organic architecture’, a term coined by the American architect Frank Lloyd Wright.

A seven-hour drive from the Weintraub’s home would find them at Mill Run, which is where Wright’s most famous structure can be found—one that many say best typifies organic architecture. Known as ‘Fallingwater’ or ‘Kaufmann Residence’, this private home was commissioned as a nature retreat for the owners, and Wright did not disappoint. By its definition, organic architecture is a philosophy which promotes harmony between human habitation and the natural world through design approaches so sympathetic and well integrated with its site that buildings, furnishings, and surroundings become part of a unified, interrelated composition.

Fallingwater is built on top of an active waterfall which flows beneath the house. The fireplace hearth in the living room integrates boulders found on the site and upon which the house was built— ledge rock which protrudes up to a foot through the living room floor was left in place to demonstrably link the outside with the inside. The stone floors are waxed, while the hearth is left plain, giving the impression of dry rocks protruding from a stream.

Now, while differences abound between Fallingwater and the Weintraub’s steel residence, the couple’s concerted efforts to integrate the inside with the outside point directly to Wright’s penchant for organic architecture. But why did the couple begin with a steel building?

“We spent a lot of money on our land and needed to build something that wasn’t too expensive,” says Weintraub, who bought all three buildings from SteelMaster Buildings in Virginia Beach, VA. “The nice thing about the SteelMaster building is that its simplicity is what allows you to do with it what you will. There are no interior posts or supporting walls so you can divide the space any way you see fit.”

SteelMaster offers unique custom solutions for pre fabricated building applications such as architectural design, affordable steel housing, athletic facilities, salt storage, retail stores/business facilities, as well as specialty buildings such as bus stops, smoke shacks, doggie dorms, churches, and more.

“Whether it is a unique application for our standard Metal Buildings or a design that requires additional support from an architect or engineer, SteelMaster has years of steel building experience in solving building and design challenges,” says Michelle Wickum, the director of marketing for SteelMaster. “This uniquely qualifies us in the industry to competently address questions and concerns, and then professionally create solutions that will work, structurally, functionally, and aesthetically.”

Weintraub says both he and his wife have been actively engaged in building and designing their own homes for their entire marriage—which they will celebrate in August on their 50^th wedding anniversary. Being that their SteelMaster home was the seventh that they have built, they had a good idea of what they wanted.

“The SteelMaster structures were designed by my wife and me, and we utilized the sweeping curves of the SteelMaster buildings,” says Weintraub. “We wanted a low maintenance, eco-friendly residence and work space which also had some "character", and, to our minds, beauty. We decided to use natural materials found on the property within the house, including stone and trees.”

On the inside of their steel building, they sprayed 4" of polyurethane, which provides a very high "R" value for insulation, and, because it is applied in one continuous application, there is no air infiltration around windows, electric outlets, etc. After the polyurethane cured, it was covered (sprayed) with Monocote, a light weight mixture of cement, fiberglass, and vermiculite, which serves as a thermal barrier and a finish.

The Weintraub’s are pleased with the final look of all three of their buildings, and say it provides the perfect amount of space for when family comes to visit.

“We have only one official bedroom in the house, although we have rooms that can serve as such,” says Weintraub. When our children and grandchildren visit, we can sleep a total of sixteen, with more room on the floor. We have a total of three and a half bathrooms between the house and the studio, which serves as guest quarters. We’ve definitely recommended this type of construction to many people…we love it.”

For this Couple, Steel’s All Wright

In Rhinebeck, NY—roughly 400 miles northwest of Mill Run, PA—there is a mini-compound of three Steel Buildings situated together amongst many trees. One of the buildings functions as a home, the other a garage, and the third a studio.

The three buildings are pleasing enough to look at and all feature a Quonset-style form with arched roofs and many vertical windows that mimic the length of the trees that surround them. Passersby may think it curious that owners Andy Weintraub and his wife chose steel buildings instead of a more customary material like wood, but the Weintraub’s had a plan. Whether they realized it at the time or not, that plan utilized ‘organic architecture’, a term coined by the American architect Frank Lloyd Wright.

A seven-hour drive from the Weintraub’s home would find them at Mill Run, which is where Wright’s most famous structure can be found—one that many say best typifies organic architecture. Known as ‘Fallingwater’ or ‘Kaufmann Residence’, this private home was commissioned as a nature retreat for the owners, and Wright did not disappoint. By its definition, organic architecture is a philosophy which promotes harmony between human habitation and the natural world through design approaches so sympathetic and well integrated with its site that buildings, furnishings, and surroundings become part of a unified, interrelated composition.

Fallingwater is built on top of an active waterfall which flows beneath the house. The fireplace hearth in the living room integrates boulders found on the site and upon which the house was built— ledge rock which protrudes up to a foot through the living room floor was left in place to demonstrably link the outside with the inside. The stone floors are waxed, while the hearth is left plain, giving the impression of dry rocks protruding from a stream.

Now, while differences abound between Fallingwater and the Weintraub’s steel residence, the couple’s concerted efforts to integrate the inside with the outside point directly to Wright’s penchant for organic architecture. But why did the couple begin with a steel building?

“We spent a lot of money on our land and needed to build something that wasn’t too expensive,” says Weintraub, who bought all three buildings from SteelMaster Buildings in Virginia Beach, VA. “The nice thing about the SteelMaster building is that its simplicity is what allows you to do with it what you will. There are no interior posts or supporting walls so you can divide the space any way you see fit.”

SteelMaster offers unique custom solutions for pre fabricated building applications such as architectural design, affordable steel housing, athletic facilities, salt storage, retail stores/business facilities, as well as specialty buildings such as bus stops, smoke shacks, doggie dorms, churches, and more.

“Whether it is a unique application for our standard Metal Buildings or a design that requires additional support from an architect or engineer, SteelMaster has years of steel building experience in solving building and design challenges,” says Michelle Wickum, the director of marketing for SteelMaster. “This uniquely qualifies us in the industry to competently address questions and concerns, and then professionally create solutions that will work, structurally, functionally, and aesthetically.”

Weintraub says both he and his wife have been actively engaged in building and designing their own homes for their entire marriage—which they will celebrate in August on their 50^th wedding anniversary. Being that their SteelMaster home was the seventh that they have built, they had a good idea of what they wanted.

“The SteelMaster structures were designed by my wife and me, and we utilized the sweeping curves of the SteelMaster buildings,” says Weintraub. “We wanted a low maintenance, eco-friendly residence and work space which also had some "character", and, to our minds, beauty. We decided to use natural materials found on the property within the house, including stone and trees.”

On the inside of their steel building, they sprayed 4" of polyurethane, which provides a very high "R" value for insulation, and, because it is applied in one continuous application, there is no air infiltration around windows, electric outlets, etc. After the polyurethane cured, it was covered (sprayed) with Monocote, a light weight mixture of cement, fiberglass, and vermiculite, which serves as a thermal barrier and a finish.

The Weintraub’s are pleased with the final look of all three of their buildings, and say it provides the perfect amount of space for when family comes to visit.

“We have only one official bedroom in the house, although we have rooms that can serve as such,” says Weintraub. When our children and grandchildren visit, we can sleep a total of sixteen, with more room on the floor. We have a total of three and a half bathrooms between the house and the studio, which serves as guest quarters. We’ve definitely recommended this type of construction to many people…we love it.”

Arizona Mom Takes Building of Family Business into her own Hands

It was the fall of 2009 when the ticking of the clock sprung Chantelle Taylor and her husband into action.

There was a man in their hometown of Holbrook, AZ who was selling his business, one that centered on the production of small wood projects, like survey sticks. The Taylor’s wanted to buy it with the hope that someday, in the near future, the business would afford them the opportunity to both work from home and raise their three children (ages 6, 5, and 1 year old) together.

But to get that dream off the ground, they needed a wood working shop—immediately. There was equipment to store and orders to fill. Chantelle’s husband worked a full-time job during the day, so the couple had to find a quality building that was affordable, practical, and up and ready to use in no time flat.

“We needed a Strong Buildings that could withstand strong wind, because it is common for us to get gusts up to 70 mph around here,” says Chantelle, who is 29 years old. “We realized it would be more economical for us to construct it ourselves, so I needed a company that would give us a quick and solid price out the door as wells as the plans for how to get it built. We found everything we needed through SteelMaster.”

For more than 28 years, SteelMaster Buildings, which is located in Virginia Beach, VA, has manufactured, designed, and supplied pre-fabricated arched steel structures to 40,000 customers located in every state of the United States, in 40 countries, and on seven continents around the world.

“The quick and easy construction of our garage/workshop kits makes it ideal for “do-it-yourselfers” like the Taylors,” says Michelle Wickum, director of marketing for SteelMaster. “The unique design of these prefab buildings provides security and durability against fire, snow, and hurricane-force winds, while remaining aesthetically pleasing.”

Because her husband was busy at work each week day, Chantelle decided to take the building of the wood shop literally into her own hands. “We subbed some of the work out, but I did a lot of it myself,” says Chantelle. “I would alternate kids so there was always one of them there with me while a babysitter watched the other two, and I just figured it out through reading books and asking questions. I built all the forms and constructed the arches myself. When it came time to pour the concrete and then again when it was time to raise the arches, I asked my family to come and help. I appreciate the fact that SteelMaster sells a product that anybody can build—you don’t have to have a lot of experience to get it done.”

“Every SteelMaster pre-fabricated buildings features easy-to-understand, complete illustrated assembly instructions in the newly revised construction manual,” says Wickum. “Using our one-size nut and bolt system as the only fastener and precision-fit components, assembling your new SteelMaster Building is a breeze.”

The extra one size nuts and bolts that SteelMaster provided with the building meant that Chantelle had a solution for an issue that was worrying her.

“Once I started wiring for the electrical, I was concerned that I didn’t have any trusses or studs to attach conduit to,” says Chantelle. But after I got started and remembered I was given many extra bolts and nuts with rubber washers, I realized I could attach to anywhere on my building! It's all together now and working just like we planned. We just worked our fifth order for survey stakes, so we are doing great and the building is a perfect fit for our needs.”

For More Information About Steel Building Kits and Garage Building Kits Visit Steelmasterusa.com

Steel Garage Displays Signs that Many Folks Consider Art

Although Ron Skeenes has lived in Hainesport, NJ his whole life, he, his wife, and children have found themselves continually drawn to the small-town charms of Lancaster, PA. They all load into the family’s 34-foot RV and travel along the winding roads of the area, taking in the picturesque landscape that includes expansive farms marked by barns of all shapes and sizes.

Many of the barns in the area are painted with octagonal or hexagonal star-like patterns, which is a form of Pennsylvanian Dutch folk art that is sometimes referred to as a ‘hex sign’. Throughout the 20th century, hex sign designs have been reproduced and mounted then sold to tourists who use them to decorate both the exterior and interior of their homes and buildings.

The beauty and history associated with hex signs made it the perfect choice of decoration for Skeenes, when in 2005, he constructed a SteelMaster steel building to use as a garage. “We added two center doors on the front of the building that slide left or right, and that makes it look something like a barn from Lancaster,” says Skeenes. “On each of the center doors we’ve mounted a Jacob Zook Hex Sign—the left side has the American eagle that represents strength and independence. On the right side is a friendship sign that represents love and friendship.”

Before buying his SteelMaster building, the family did not have a garage, which is something that always bothered Skeenes. “I am a fire apparatus technician for a busy fire department, so keeping equipment out of the weather elements is something that in my mind helps bolster the longevity of the equipment,” says Skeenes. “I did a lot of research at the time, and I just kept coming back to the SteelMaster website because their buildings have a clear inside span, and that makes it very easy to back a RV into, even though it is almost 13 feet tall. Also, SteelMaster’s buildings fall below the town’s required height limit—if I chose a garage that didn’t, I’d have to apply for a variance, and that costs money.”

For more than 28 years, SteelMaster Buildings, which is located in Virginia Beach, VA, has manufactured, designed, and supplied pre-fabricated arched steel structures to 40,000 customers located in every state of the United States, in 40 countries, and on seven continents around the world.

“Our steel garages are the perfect way to organize, store, and protect your cars, RVs, tools, and other valuable possessions,” says Michelle Wickum, the director of marketing for SteelMaster. “The quick and easy construction of our garage kits makes it ideal for the “do-it-yourselfer”. The unique design of these prefab residential garage buildings provides security and durability against fire, snow, and hurricane force winds, while remaining aesthetically pleasing.”

The fact that he could build the garage himself fit in perfectly with Skeenes’ plans. “I built this building myself with some help from my son and his friends from school and some junior cadets from the fire department,” says Skeenes, who uses the garage to house his 34 ft. fifth wheel RV, his Ford F-350 pick-up truck, and his daughter’s Ford Mercury Stable. “I always try to do the work myself around the house and yard—that is just the way my wife and kids are—we work hard, and then we can sit back and enjoy.”

Offering Affordable, Dependable Steel Building is Only the Beginning

Seventeen years ago, James D. "Danny" Hendricks of Woodland, GA was leafing through farm and home magazines when he came upon an advertisement for a company in Virginia Beach, VA that sold steel buildings. Since he was scouting out options for a workshop, Hendricks called to request literature on the buildings and established a rapport with the director of marketing.

“I was fortunate to talk with David B. Adams, who at that time was the director of marketing with SteelMaster Buildings, and after speaking with him, I was convinced that this was the building that I needed because it would fit my needs from a quality and durability standpoint,” says Hendricks. “He was very informative from my first conversation with him, and we became very good friends.”

For more than 28 years, SteelMaster Buildings has manufactured, designed, and supplied pre-fabricated arched steel structures to 40,000 customers located in every state of the United States, in 40 countries, and on seven continents around the world.

SteelMaster prefabricated workshops have been used by all types of hobby enthusiasts including wood workers, metal shops owners, classic car professionals, as well as numerous types of businesses around the globe. The company’s workshop kit, prefabricated workshops, and metal shops provide 100 percent unencumbered, usable space to organize, store, and protect valuable tools and machinery as well as provide comfort, security, and durability against fire, snow, and hurricane-force winds. People who own a SteelMaster workshop have the flexibility to truly customize the inside of their building because the unique clear-span design allows them the opportunity to hang lighting, run conduit, build shelving, add a loft, insulate, and heat/cool the building.

Three years after Hendricks bought his workshop, he purchased a second building for machinery and hay storage. Then three years later, he bought yet another building to use for storage of lawn and garden equipment. He says that part of the reason he continued buying from SteelMaster was because of the level of customer service he continued to receive after he first started communicating with Abrams.

“On one occasion after the purchase of my first building, a stranger drove into my yard,” says Hendricks. “As this man stepped out of his car, he said, ‘I am David Adams with SteelMaster Buildings, and I was passing through your area and wanted to stop by to meet you and see your building.’ We had a very good visit, and our friendship lasted.”
According to Michelle Wickum, who is currently the company’s director of marketing, SteelMaster has always taken this approach with its customers.

“Our company was founded with a mission to be the best in the business, and we are,” says Wickum. “To be the best, that doesn’t just mean delivering the highest quality buildings at an affordable rate, it also means going the extra mile for our customers and touching base with them after their building is constructed to make sure that it is everything that they need it to be. We genuinely care about the people we serve.”

Hendricks says he believes in SteelMaster and its buildings so much that he hasn’t been shy about spreading the word to others.

“I appreciate that the ease of which I have been able to assemble and construct my buildings as well as their durability, quality, and the fact that they blend very well into my farm layout and the landscape, says Hendricks. “As a result, I have helped SteelMaster sell numerous buildings in this area of Georgia. The picture that is shown in the Georgia section of the SteelMaster website shows the back side of my three buildings. I am proud of my buildings, and I appreciate them being a part of the company’s website.”

SteelMaster’s steel and metal pre-engineered buildings are designed for a broad range of residential and commercial applications including garages, carports, metal barns, Quonsets, airplane hangars, RV storage, roofing systems, military buildings, commercial warehousing, and industrial storage as well as a wide variety of custom building applications including athletic facilities, retail stores, churches, bus stops, smoke shacks, doggie dorms, and correctional facilities.

Steelmaster Customer Reviews (John C)

“The Customer Service on the phone was knowledgeable and delivery was when I wanted it. To assemble the actual steel shell….45 hours to assemble the arches(I did it alone)….35 hours to erect the arches and endwalls(a crew of 7 with scaffolding and a bucket truck).To lay the industrial connector plates…20 hours(I drilled all the holes, aligned the plates and fastened them to the foundation wall…alone). On time and at the Right Price!

- John C, Rogersville, MO

Steelmaster Customer Reviews (Kenneth & Tommie C)

“We are proud to show off our building. It is our big pride and joy. This building withstood Hurricane Katrina. If it can do that, you all have made a great product. After the storm we called and had some brochures mailed to us. We have had so many people stop and look at our building to see if there were any damages. They are amazed to see that there are none , not even a scratch on our building .We have given all but three brochures out to various people that live around here in our parish and as far away as two hundred miles .These people work at Norththrop Grumman Shipbuilders, which is two blocks from our home. When you have a great product people want to see for themselves how good it is. Here are some pictures of our building, it looks just as good as the day we had it erected.”

- Kenneth & Tommie C., Bridge City, LA