Steel is the Real Deal for this Arizona Man

Dan Falcone leads a very full life. At 59 years old, he works long hours and many days in a row to be able to take three months off every year to spend time working on projects and being with his family in Arizona. Why did Falcone decide to build a SteelMaster Building, and what is he planning to do us the building for?

Brenda Welch, a freelance writer who writes for SteelMaster Buildings in Virginia Beach, VA spoke with Falcone to learn his motivations behind purchasing the building, and his future intentions for the space.

BW: Why did you decide you needed a building?

DF: When I retire I plan on having my own machine shop.

BW: Why did you decide to build with steel as opposed to wood or another material?

DF: In Arizona, wood takes too much maintenance.

BW: What led you to SteelMaster?

DF: I saw [the company] on the Internet and contacted a sales representative (Bonnie Kaufman) who was very helpful in answering my questions.

BW: Why did you choose SteelMaster’s product as the one that you wanted to build with?

DF: [SteelMaster] provided me with all that I asked for at what I thought was a reasonable price for the size building that I purchased.

BW: When did you begin building your SteelMaster, and when did you finish?

DF: I started in February and finished in March as I had other things to do also. I had help standing up the arches, but did all the rest myself including the end doors, windows, and turbine vents on top. It was quite a challenge by myself as a 59 year old guy, but was very satisfying when I saw what a quality building I had and that it sealed up so well from the elements.

BW: What are the things that you are most impressed about with the building?

DF: The building is very structurally sound, it seals up so well, and it is easy to add accessories. Also, there is so much space inside without any inner trusses or braces that are on a conventional building. I had one rain storm right after finishing with 40 mile per hour winds, and the direction was coming in towards the overlap. I didn't have a single leak except for one where I was missing a nut on a bolt. Then I found after checking that I was missing three other nuts on the bolts, but they were not even leaking. I choose this type of building because I knew that I would have minimal help and was able to accomplish most of it on my own, plus it is a very secure building. I think the only way people could get into it when it is locked up would be to take a large machine or a gas powered chop saw—both of which would alert the neighbors. Wind is the biggest issue where I am located, and the building seals it out completely—except of course where I have purposely ventilated it for circulation to the turbine vents.

BW: Is there anything that you wish you had known before you started this process that you know now?

DF: I wish that I had read the directions more carefully without thinking that I was a know-it-all, as they were very precise. I just sort of skimmed over them because looking at the building, it looked pretty basic. Only what I didn't realize was the importance of keeping the building plumb and in its exact shape as I put it up. I ended up spending extra time putting it to shape and peak plumb to facilitate ease of putting in the end walls.

BW: How often do you use your building?

DF: I use it every day.

BW: Have you received comments from other people about your building?

DF: I have received comments from all my neighbors, some who were even skeptical until they saw and experienced the structural integrity of it and the amount of space inside because you don't need all that inner bracing like you do on a wood building.

BW: What surprises you the most about your building?

DF: Besides all the functionality and no maintenance (like painting and all the things that go along with a wood structure) it has a very clean and attractive look to it. I am pleased all around and look forward to my retirement and using it as my hobby, plus all the storage I can have on a building this size (30'x40'). When you look in a conventional structure you don't have that extra ceiling space for lighting or whatever a person might want to use it for. The other thing I want to mention is your excellent customer service that I received whenever I had a question or wanted an accessory. I had someone on the phone always—if not immediately, then in less than 10 minutes when I would get a call back from your construction specialist Richard Merrill.

In addition to steel building applications such as Falcone’s, SteelMaster’s steel and metal pre-engineered buildings are designed for a broad range of residential and commercial applications including homes, farm buildings, garages, workshops, agricultural storage, Quonsets, airplane hangars, RV storage, roofing systems, storage buildings, carports, 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.

Brenda comes up with an exclusive solution of Steelmaster Complaints questionare. Also the broad range of Steelmasters' steel buildings is discussed with examples.

Steel Barn Means No Horsin’ Around with Typical Wood Problems

Evalynn Hyra was in a bit of a bind.

It was 1994, and construction on her house in Tryon, NC had just been completed. Her next project was to build a barn for her horses, but money was tight.

“When the house was built, I didn’t have the money for a stick-built barn or for one of the very fancy horse barns you see around here,” says Hyra, who now owns four horses and five barn cats.

It was during a visit to her local feed store that she literally walked in on a solution to her problem.

“The owner of the feed store had just put in a SteelMaster building for his equipment with a small area closed in for an office,” says Hyra. After seeing the versatility of the building, she contacted the company.

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

“Farm buildings are one of the most common and popular uses for our structures, as well as the top substitute for traditional pole barn applications,” says Michelle Wickum, the director of marketing for SteelMaster. “Our build-it-yourself buildings are affordable and offer 100 percent usable space with a clear span design that eliminates beams and trusses. They are easy to construct and provide maintenance-free use for a lifetime.”

In addition to being maintenance-free, they are also nearly indestructible, which is an important feature when it comes to housing horses that are prone to kicking and biting.

“A wood barn can crack, splinter, rot, and become infested with pests,” says Wickum. “None of those things occur with a SteelMaster building. Steel’s inherent strength resists fire, earthquake, and hurricane damage as well.”When Hyra found out that SteelMaster buildings are customizable, she included features that gave the steel building a typical wood-barn feel.

“The SteelMaster rep suggested that we enclose the ends with wood for looks, and I’m very happy that we did,” says Hyra. “It was installed by a team recommended by the SteelMaster rep, and a friend did the interior work and wood ends. The barn is 30 x 40. There is a center aisle. On one side I’ve created a stall and a large hay room. The other side has a stall, a tack/feed room, and a small area for brooms, etc. The far end, crossing the aisle, is a run-in for the horses, who have access to the barn and pastures 24/7. There is a window in each stall as well as on each side of the run-in end. The stalls are a convenience and there in the event that a horse has to be locked in, but the run-in was the more important area for me. We used double folding doors at each end rather than sliders, which would have been much heavier.”

Just before Christmas of 2008, eight inches of snow fell on Tryon, followed by very heavy winds. The SteelMaster barn got through it just fine, but the same could not be said for Hyra’s carport.

“I had the kind of carport that you see all over,” says Hyra. “After the snow and the wind, the carport roof caved in on my truck and tractor, causing about $5,000 damage to the truck. Since the barn building has convinced me that it’s not going anywhere, and I have never worried about its structural safety, I decided to buy a SteelMaster carport.”

In addition to farm buildings and caports, SteelMaster’s steel and metal pre-engineered buildings are designed for a broad range of residential and commercial applications including garages, workshops, agricultural storage, Quonsets, airplane hangars, RV storage, roofing systems, storage buildings, 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.

Winter’s Mess Shows which Building is Best

When some people think of snow, delightful images of hot chocolate and cozy fires come to mind. For Gil McNeely of Waynesburg, PA, there is nothing delightful about snow—in fact, it makes him downright miserable.

With his home located two long miles from a paved road, McNeely has been left to plow and shovel virtually nonstop these past two winters to keep up with the record amount of snowfall. “Last winter we lost power a few times during the storms and had to use the generator,” says McNeely. “It was a heavy wet snow that damaged some trees and even caused a metal 10 x 10 building out back to completely cave in—but my SteelMaster was just fine. These winters have put it to the test, and that is one tough building.”

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.

In 2006, McNeely built his SteelMaster steel building to keep his two jeeps in as well as for storage of various other items. He bought the building from the company after spotting one of their ads in a farm and dairy journal. “I was searching for something that was low maintenance, and that is exactly what I got with my SteelMaster,” says McNeely. “I have another pole building on my property made of wood and metal, and I’ve had to paint the roof a few times, tighten loose nails, and do a bunch of other maintenance—I’m just tired of all the upkeep. With the SteelMaster building, once I got it up, I didn’t have to even think about it again. There is nothing to maintain. Another thing I noticed is that the building doesn’t sweat. When I keep my jeep in another one of my buildings, sometimes I go to get in them and there is condensation on the windshield. That has never happened with my SteelMaster, so the ventilation in it is really good.”

Structural steel is easier to handle, stronger, and less expensive than any other common pre-fabricated buildings materials. It does not rot, warp, shrink, or split, and it is non-combustible. Steel’s inherent strength resists fire, earthquake, and hurricane damage. Steel components weigh up to 60 percent less than wood members, and all steel products are repeatedly recyclable.

“With a SteelMaster building, you don’t have to treat it, paint it, or maintain it,” says Michelle Wickum, director of marketing for the company. “You can just enjoy it. The Galvalume Plus coating provides years of maintenance-free use. And the rugged resilient steel will take the bumps and bangs common to a storage building.”

McNeely likes his SteelMaster building so much that he purchased another one that he plans to build on to his SteelMaster that is already standing once this winter is behind him. His cousin, who owns part of the 156 acres that McNeely lives on, recently bought a SteelMaster building himself as well. “I’ve actually been seeing more and more SteelMaster buildings going up around these parts,” says McNeely. “They are a great investment, require no maintenance, and they look good, so I’m not surprised people are buying them. I’m already making plans myself to buy a third one because I love the buildings so much.”

In addition to storage buildings, SteelMaster’s steel and metal pre-engineered buildings are designed for a broad range of residential and commercial applications including garages, workshops, 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.

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.”