Cold-Formed Buildings
Braemar Buildings specializes in manufacturing traditional rigid-frame, red-iron metal buildings that have hot-rolled and welded main frames.
However, we have always been willing to adjust to new technologies and opportunities. This is why we now also manufacture cold-formed (or cold-rolled) metal buildings. Though these buildings have been around for more than a decade, they have become much more mainstream in the last few years. Note that these buildings are much more popular in the United States due to the heavy snow loads in much of Canada.
These buildings use cold-rolled framing members like Cees and Zees that have been run through a roll-former. Typically, these members have flange sizes of 4-12” (though they can be larger if needed) and are usually formed from 12, 14 or 16 Gauge coil (10g is an option on larger clear span projects).
In cold-formed buildings, the frame columns and rafters that carry the majority of the building’s loads are created with one or two Cees. The double variation, which is often needed for buildings with larger clear spans or heavier loading, is created with two Cees turned back-to-back and bolted together, creating a strong framing platform with a straight column and rafters unlike the tapered columns that are often used in rigid-frame buildings.
Cold-formed buildings utilize mounting brackets at the haunch and apex that correspond to the building’s roof slope. Bracing is typically used between the columns and rafters at the haunch and also between each of the rafters at the apex to provide rigidity to the building.
Cold-formed buildings typically weigh less, are cheaper and have a quicker lead time than rigid-frame buildings. These buildings can include mezzanines, can be designed with single-slope, gable-style and gambrel roofs, have been used in commercial, residential and agricultural applications and have similar flexibility as rigid-frame buildings.
However, they are not the perfect solution for every situation. We typically suggest cold-formed buildings for use in these situations:
- The customer wants a building that clear spans 50-feet or less. These buildings have the ability to clear-span greater distances but rigid-frame buildings typically make more sense when a clear span width over 50-feet is desired. Cold-formed buildings can go much wider than 50-feet with the addition of lean-tos and interior columns.
- The customer doesn’t mind smaller sidewall bay spacings. Since the framing members in cold-formed members cannot carry the same loads as traditional rigid frames, the sidewall bay spacing will likely be smaller than a traditional steel building.
- The customer plans to erect the building. Rigid frames are heavy, making the erection process more complicated. Since cold-formed framing members are lighter, the erection process is typically easier and requires less large equipment. This Youtube playlist is a how-to on installing these buildings:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHf_uy1V_dsVrewm4L4fAK9OaHrRTtWov. - The customer would like a foundation design with their building. Most metal building manufacturers, including Braemar, will not engineer a foundation on typical rigid-frame buildings. These should be done by a local engineer that understands the soil where the building will be installed. However, since cold-formed buildings are lighter, our engineered plans will come with a basic foundation plan for a concrete slab or piers.
If you are interested in a cold-formed building, please contact us using the form below.
