Arch Home FAQ

WHAT TYPE OF FOUNDATION IS REQUIRED?

Pioneer Steel Foundation

A simple, easy, floating foundation is all that is required.
Our optional pre-drilled foundation connector makes building easy. The unique nut-and-bolt assembly provides a strong, accurate, and long - lasting construction. 


CAN WE INSULATE A STEEL BUILDING?

A clear span, trussless design ensures that your building will easily accept any form of conventional insulation methods: spray on, fiberglass rolls or rigid foam. Installing ducting for heating and air conditioning is also very easy.

WHAT ABOUT HEAT AND NOISE FACTORS?

The high aluminum content in our Galvalume Plus coating actually helps keep the building cooler inside. The deep corrugation of the panel (which makes it uniquely 3-sided) leaves less exposed surface area which, along with our thick gauge steel, dramatically reduces noise.

WHAT TYPE OF VENTILATION SYSTEM IS AVAILABLE?

We understand the importance of ventilation to our customer. Our clear span buildings offer unobstructed airflow and superior temperature consistency. We offer two types of ventilation systems for our buildings (gravity and turbine) or we can install a custom ventilation system.

I THOUGHT STEEL BUILDINGS WERE AN EXPENSIVE OPTION?

That’s a common misconception. Steel buildings are easy to install. That results in lower assembly and building costs. Our buildings are virtually indestructible and maintenance free. Look at lower insurance costs and less overall maintenance over the years and you’ve got a winner.

 HOW LONG TILL IS THE BUILD TIME?

Total build time can be two months. With supply chain issues we now quote six to twelve months depending on local permitting and inspections. Materials are in short supply and we often have to wait for delivery. Usually, it is very much faster.

CAN I ADD ON TO THE LENGTH OF MY BUILDING IN THE FUTURE?

Our buildings use standard sized panels (approximately 2’ x 10’) fastened together with a single-sized nut and bolt system. Since this construction method is uniform throughout the building process, adding more arches to your building for additional length is no problem at all.

HOW WELL DO STEEL BUILDINGS STAND UP TO FIRE?

Steel buildings, due to their all steel construction, withstand fire extremely well. Interior fires can be contained within the building, protecting your home and other property. Fires burning outside will not ignite materials within the building due to the steel. Your building may be burned and blackened, but it will not fall down and will be virtually as corrosion resistant and protective for years to come.

CAN I RAISE UP THE SIDES?

Raising the sides of your steel building can be done by constructing your foundation to include concrete sidewalls. Customers usually use this method to increase the sidewall height by 2' to 4'. Also, depending on the building model, higher sidewalls may be available as a customized option.

NEED TO GET MORE SIDE WALL HEIGHT?

Steel buildings can be constructed on a wide range of foundations, including one with high walls. Our foundation base plate installed on sidewalls constructed of concrete, block or steel are all ways of increasing sidewall height.

CAN WE RUN ELECTRICAL WIRING THROUGH MY BUILDING?

Running electrical wiring is no problem with a steel building. 

CAN WE PUT IN A PARTITION?

Customizing the inside is no problem. A partition is only one of many ideas to best use the space available in our trussless, clear-span designs. Be it partitions, walls or even cubicles for office space, you’ll find you have plenty of room for all your needs.

CAN WE ADD A MEZZANINE IN MY STEEL BUILDING?

Yes, the Arch house is the perfect way to add more living space.

CAN I PUT IN STALLS FOR MY HORSES?

Horses, cows, pigs—whatever animals you care for, adding stalls and pens in the back of your steel building is easy. Without support posts to build around, you can add as many stalls as you need and make them as large as you want.


CAN WE INSTALL HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEMS?

Home owners constantly praise the easy access provided by our clear span, trussless designs for installation not only of heating and air conditioning systems, but other systems as well. We install electrical wiring, plumbing, drywall, false ceilings and partitions.

CAN I USE MY BUILDING FOR BULK STORAGE?

Bulk storage is one of thousands of things you can do in the back of your steel home. Whether you’re storing grain, machinery, widgets or anything else, you’ll find that an Arch building provides you the space, protection and expandability you need.

WHERE SHOULD SKYLIGHTS BE PLACED?

Skylights should be staggered from side to side to maintain maximum building strength. Skylights are easy to install since our skylight panels use the same single nut-and-bolt fastening system as our steel panels. And, with a number of color options, you even have control over the natural light coming into your building.

CAN I PUT MY OWN ENDS AND DOORS IN?

When you need to match or complement existing structures or extend and customize your building, a wide range of endwall options—and our user-friendly endwall adapters—make it easy to complete your project. Similarly, we can install a frame to accept any custom door.

CAN I BURY MY BUILDING UNDERGROUND?

No. Burying the building underground means that it is under constant weight, pressure from soil density and unpredictable stress from the earth in which it is buried. Our buildings are not engineered for this kind of use.

CAN I ADD ANY WEIGHT TO THE ROOF OF MY BUILDING?

Adding weight directly to the roof (a catwalk, for example) should be done only after consulting an engineer.

ARE SIDE ENTRANCES AVAILABLE?

Side entrances can be built into any of the buildings. Your side entrance can feature a service door, sliding door or overhead door. As with end doors, you can use steel doors or install a frame for any custom door.

 WHAT IF PIECES OF MY BUILDING ARE MISSING OR DAMAGED?

Our buildings are inspected on three separate occasions prior to shipment to ensure complete satisfaction. In the unlikely event that something is missing or damaged, simply call your us to report the problem. Replacement pieces will be shipped to you as soon as possible.

ARE THERE CONSTRUCTION CREWS AVAILABLE IF NEEDED?

We have construction crews to help you construct your steel building.

DO I NEED A BUILDING PERMIT?

Every city, town, region and county has its own by-laws regarding building and the kinds of permits and documentation required. Should you need a permit, we can supply engineer’s blueprints or anything else you may need to secure one.

WHAT WILL PREVENT CONDENSATION IN MY BUILDING?

Condensation is not unique to steel buildings. All types of buildings create condensation if proper ventilation is not installed. If condensation is a problem, you may need to add more ventilators to your building.

WHO DO I CONTACT FOR ASSISTANCE, IF NEEDED?

Chances are you’ll have questions about your steel building at some point. While we’ve tried to answer as many as possible here, you may have additional questions. Just ask!


HOW DO I GET THE BUILDING OFF THE TRUCK?

We supply a forklift or front-end loader.


CAN I PAINT MY STEEL BUILDING?

You can paint your steel building as you would any other type of building. 


WHAT TYPES OF WARRANTIES DO YOU OFFER ON BUILDINGS?

There are two warranties on your building. There is a 40-year warranty on the Galvalume Plus steel panels against corrosion. We also have a 12-month warranty against any manufacturing defects.

WHAT PREVENTS MY BUILDING FROM COLLAPSING UNDER SNOW OR HIGH WINDS?

Different gauges of steel provide varying degrees of protection from such forces as snow and wind. In an area of heavy snowfall or high winds, a thicker gauge steel will provide the strength and stability required to withstand these stresses. We will recommend a metal thickness suitable for your region.

WHAT PREVENTS MY BUILDING FROM LEAKING?

Our Arch buildings are engineered to prevent leaking. Once constructed, each panel overlaps the next one down by 9 inches Furthermore, each arch overlaps the next by 3 inches. Just follow the instructions in your construction manual and your building should be virtually free of any leaks.

WILL MY BUILDING RUST?

We know that a rusted steel building is an eyesore, which is why we manufacture all of our buildings from AZ180 (AZ60) Galvalume Plus ™ steel, which carries a 40-year warranty against corrosion. Your building should remain eye-pleasing for years and years.

HOW THICK IS THE STEEL?

Steel thickness is measured in ‘gauge’. The lower the gauge number the greater the thickness. Oue steel is coated with Galvalume Plus ™ for all the various steel gauges. We’ll recommend a lower gauge (thicker) steel to someone constructing their building in an area of heavy snowfall or high winds. The thicker steel provides additional protection.

Warranty?

Your building is warranated for forty years against pitting. A  Galvalume Plus coating. keeps the steel from rusting.

CAN I RECESS THE ENDWALL AND HAVE AN OVERHANG?

Whether you use our endwall or your own custom option, it is possible to recess the wall to have an overhang above.