Concrete is a great foundation for metal buildings
If you are planning on adding a metal building to your property, building on a concrete slab provides a great foundation. Once you’ve found a clear, level area for your building to be installed, you’ll need to choose the proper installation surface. Since there are plenty of options available, why should you choose concrete over installing on asphalt, gravel, or even the bare ground?
Why concrete?
Concrete not only provides a better parking surface for your vehicles, but a stronger foundation for your building. A concrete base can also make your building more versatile if you’d like to use it for a workshop or storage space.
Strength
If you’re investing in a metal building, you should give it the strongest foundation possible. A proper concrete pad combined with a well-designed structure can hold up against all sorts of adverse weather conditions.
Durability
Concrete not only provides a strong surface for anchoring your new building, but also helps prevent water intrusion under the base rail. Unlike other surfaces, concrete requires very little time or maintenance to remain in good condition.
Determining the proper size
Probably the most crucial part is determining the correct size pad for your building. Once you determine the overall dimensions of your building, you will have a basis for your concrete pad size.
Pouring a concrete pad to the exact dimensions of your building can result in chipping and cracking at the edges when your building is anchored.
We recommend a minimum of 1 ½ inches around the entire diameter of your building. If your building’s dimensions are 20’ wide x 30’ long, you’d want at least a 20’ 3” x 30’ 3’’ concrete pad.
All slabs should be a minimum of 4 inches in thickness (depth). If you are planning on storing heavy equipment or recreational vehicles consider increasing the thickness of your slab to 5 or 6 inches.
Add slope
To improve drainage and help ensure a dry interior for your building, a slope should be added to exposed concrete around the exterior of the building. For best results, a minimum .25” downward slope away from the building is recommended.
Permitting
It’s possible that you may need a permit, or permits, for your building project. Before you begin pouring concrete, contact your local township, city or county about their permitting requirements.
Timing
Concrete needs ample time to fully dry, so leave some room between your concrete pour and building installation. It’s a good idea to consult with your contractor about how long it will take for your pad to be ready for installation. If you are pouring your own pad, make sure to factor in temperature and weather conditions before scheduling your installation date.
In the end, adding a concrete pad creates a level building surface and provides a stronger, more consistent foundation for your metal building.
If you’d like to learn about site preparation for an upcoming installation, please visit the Our Process page of our website.
Northedge Steel is a premier manufacturer of high quality, fully customized steel garages, barns, carports, sheds and utility buildings. Our expert workmanship, knowledgeable customer service, and extremely flexible financing and rent-to-own payment options are the best in the industry. If you are ready to purchase a metal building for your home or business, please contact us today.