The Most Common Metal Building Misconceptions We Hear (Part 1)

Jun 6, 2025

After 40 years of engineering and manufacturing metal buildings, we’ve heard all the misconceptions. Here are five of the most common questions we hear and the answers that should put your mind at ease!

Aren’t metal buildings just boring old warehouses?

Metal buildings have come a long way! For many people unfamiliar with the advances in the metal building industry, the term “metal building” brings to mind images of Quonset huts and warehouses, but the possibilities of metal are endless. We design and build churches, schools, restaurants, offices, and more. Take a look at some of our most innovative uses of metal buildings in our previous blog post here.

Once a metal building is installed, you can’t make any changes, right?

Metal building systems offer more flexibility for expansion than many contractors realize. Whether the building was originally designed with future expansion in mind or not, there are always ways to add to the width or length of a building. For example, independent frame lines can be installed next to the existing endwall frame, and the use of tie-in flashing along the roof lines can allow for additional length in a building if the building wasn’t originally designed with expandable endwall frames. To allow for future additions to the width of a building, it can be designed with connection plates in the columns for lean-to additions. Additionally, structurally independent single slope structures can be added, and flashing can be used at the roof lines to make the structures look like one building.

Doesn’t metal block important signals like Wi-Fi and cell service?

Modern communication signals like Wi-Fi and cell service are not impaired by metal buildings. While metal walls and roofs are certainly strong enough to stand up to tough elements, the everyday waves we need for managing our businesses and communicating with the outside world have no problem penetrating modern metal buildings.

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Haven’t you heard that zoning boards never approve metal buildings?

While this was once an issue, times have changed, and boards have become more informed about the quality and versatility of metal buildings. Innovative designs allow these buildings to take on new shapes while still meeting high standards for safety and durability.

To maintain a community’s aesthetic, metal buildings can be easily designed to support wall materials such as brick, CMU block, EIFS, stucco, and many other architectural sidings. By combining strength, spanning capabilities, and leak-resistant standing seam roofs with traditional facades, we can achieve the look of conventional construction with the strength of metal.

Isn’t metal an expensive material that requires lengthy construction times?

You might be surprised how quickly your building can be constructed! According to the Metal Building Manufacturers Association, the shell of a metal building takes approximately 30% to 50% less time to construct than competing framing systems.¹ Shortened construction times convert directly to lower costs by reducing labor requirements and equipment rental timeframes. As a result of rapid construction times, commercial businesses get to move into their buildings quicker and begin generating revenue earlier.