Cold Formed Steel Buildings

If you love the speed and simplicity of our PEMB kits but need something even lighter on foundations and faster to erect, cold-formed steel (CFS) is your sweet spot. Think of it like a Lego approach but scaled down for quicker turnarounds: factory-rolled C- and Z-shaped beams, pre-punched and cut to length, all bundled up and shipped ready to bolt together.

You still get that durable, weather-proof steel you trust in our PEMB systems—but with smaller crews, less concrete, and delivery in as little as 3 weeks. In short, CFS bridges the gap between bare-bones DIY framing and full-blown red-iron construction, giving you a clean, robust building from permit to move-in faster than you ever thought possible.

Why Choose Cold Formed Steel Buildings?
What to Expect?
Usage
Standard Features
Resources
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Rapid Assembly

Our light-gauge CFS kits arrive pre-punched, numbered, and ready to bolt—no welding or cranes needed.
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How Fast?

Prefabricated cold-formed steel frames go up 20 – 50 % faster than conventional stick-built methods, thanks to precise factory roll-forming and minimal on-site cutting.
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Lighter Foundations

A lighter frame means shallower footings and fewer anchor bolts.
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Less Concrete Costs

CFS buildings use 20 – 25 % less concrete for strip footings and slab edges, trimming hard costs before you break ground.
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DIY-Friendly Assembly

Bolt-together framing that small crews (or owner-builders) can raise with cordless tools and minimal equipment.
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Tailored For Efficiency

Every beam and purlin comes with factory-installed punch-outs for self-drilling screws—eliminating heavy equipment rentals.
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Clear-Span Flexibility

Wide-open interiors—no columns, no compromises.
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Future-Proof Expansion

Engineered portals span up to 80 – 100 ft clear, giving you unobstructed floor space for retail layouts, studios, workshops, or ag-use without load-bearing walls.
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Modular Flexibility

Start with the basics, then bolt on overhangs, lean-tos, mezzanines—even a second story. Customizations (like lean-tos, mezzanines, etc.) tend to be easier with cold-formed than PEMB.
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Did You Know?

Standardized C & Z sections let you easily customize and configure your building.
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Lower Insurance Costs

Steel’s fire- and storm-resistance can earn you serious premium breaks.
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Built To Last

Insurance carriers reward non-combustible steel framing with up to 25 – 75 % lower builders’-risk and property insurance premiums compared to wood or conventional framing.
01 Discovery & Quote (Week 1)

Begin with an initial project consultation to identify key needs and set clear goals. Our team will develop conceptual designs, prepare preliminary sketches, and provide you with a detailed quote so you know what to expect right from the start.

02 Design Sign-Off (Week 2)

After reviewing the initial designs, you’ll approve the final layout and contract. We’ll then coordinate the fabrication timeline and provide an estimated materials delivery date, ensuring everyone is aligned before proceeding to the next stage.

03 Engineering & Detailing (Week 3 - 6)

Our engineers produce stamped permit drawings based on your project’s complexity:

  • Express Projects (1 Day): Express projects can have drawings done in as little as 30 minutes.
  • Medium Projects (2-3 Weeks): Expect 2-3 weeks for other buildings that are non-express.
04 Initial Project Requirements & Site Preparation (Week 7-11)

With approved drawings in hand, your contractor handles permits, sitework, and foundation preparation. This pre-construction phase—securing necessary permits, performing site grading, and forming/pouring the foundation—usually spans 3-4 weeks, setting the stage for a smooth installation.

05 Final Project Installation (Typically 1–2 Weeks)

Once materials are delivered, your contractor begins the metal building system (MBS) installation. Depending on complexity and site conditions, this can take 1-2 weeks, during which we remain focused on providing a quality, durable structure that meets your expectations.

06 Walkthrough & Completion

After installation, you’ll join your installer in a thorough walkthrough to ensure everything meets your specifications. Your satisfaction is our priority, and we’ll continue to offer support should you need any future assistance or modifications.

Cold Formed Steel Buildings

cold formed steel commercial building, slate grey paint with a few square windows and doorway storefront entrance

Commercial & Light Industrial

Cold-formed steel buildings and cold-formed steel building kits are ideal for small warehouses, light manufacturing shops, and flex spaces that need open, column-free space. The precision-cut C- and Z-sections bolt together quickly, letting you erect a clear-span interior up to 80 ft wide in a matter of weeks. Owners appreciate the speed to profitability and the durability that stands up to daily use.

  • Clear spans up to 80-100 ft without interior columns
  • Delivery and assembly in as little as 3–4 weeks
  • Easy customizations for standalone offices, canopies, or mezzanines
cold formed steel agricultural building with tractor outside door, sunset

Agricultural & Equestrian

Farmers and ranchers choose cold-formed steel building kits for barns, equipment sheds, and horse arenas because they resist corrosion from fertilizers and moisture. The lighter frame reduces concrete by up to 25 %, freeing budget for other farm needs. Owner-builders can raise their own structures using cordless tools—no heavy cranes or welding required. With baked-on paint and galvanized steel, these buildings stand up to the elements year after year.

  • Up to 25 % less concrete for foundations
  • Galvanized steel resists rust, mold, and UV damage
  • DIY-friendly erection with basic tools
cold formed steel light industrial building with warehouse and 3x qhite roll up doors

Residential & Recreational

Homeowners use cold-formed steel buildings to create barndominiums, backyard workshops, and RV garages that combine high-end finishes with simple assembly. Our kits arrive pre-cut, labeled, and punched, so even small crews can achieve a weather-tight shell in weeks. Customize with standing-seam roofs, wood or stone veneer, and interior mezzanines for a polished look. These structures handle heavy snow loads and high winds without the maintenance headaches of wood.

  • Pre-punched, labeled parts for fast DIY assembly
  • Options for insulation, interior mezzanines, and architectural accents
  • Engineered for snow loads and 120 mph wind zones
cold formed steel self storage building, twilight red doors 8x units

Specialty & Community Spaces

Nonprofits, schools, and municipalities turn to cold-formed steel building kits for community centers, pop-up retail pavilions, and training workshops that need wide open interiors and quick delivery. With lead times of just 3–4 weeks, these kits minimize project delays and site disruption. The clear-span design accommodates flexible layouts—classrooms, offices, or event halls—while steel’s fire and pest resistance keeps long-term maintenance low. Plus, many projects qualify for lower insurance premiums due to steel’s non-combustible nature.

  • Fast lead times: 3–4 weeks from order to site delivery
  • Customizable interiors that apply to specific program needs
  • Potential insurance savings of 15–30 % on property coverage
Stamped Building and Foundation Plans
100% Steel, Primary & Secondary Framing
Roof & Wall Sheeting
Complete Trim & Closure
Fasteners
Delivery to Site
Erector’s network nationwide 
The SCB Difference thumbnail

The SteelCo Difference

Explore The SteelCo Difference and how we set ourselves apart in the steel building indust...

The SCB Difference

For over 24 years, SteelCo Buildings has delivered top-quality pre-engineered metal building (PEMB) materials and self-storage solutions. From prefab kits to custom designs, we provide 100% American-manufactured, sustainable materials backed by stamped foundation plans and expert guidance on permits and zoning. With decades of experience and a 92% satisfaction rate, SteelCo combines superior quality with unmatched customer support to ensure every project’s success.

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24+ Years Expertise

Designing and Building Prefabricated Metal Buildings

Full Service

Installation & Coordination can be provided across most of the USA.

92% Satisfaction Rate

4.6 stars on Google Reviews and BBB accredited business.

Stamped Foundation Plans

These can be provided upon request.

90-100% Recyclable

Recyclability rate for the primary materials used in PEMB buildings.

100% American Manufactured

We only work with American suppliers for materials.

What our clients have to say

See why 92% of our customers rate us highly on Google Reviews.
Hear directly from clients who trust SteelCo Buildings for quality, reliability, and exceptional service.

Industry Stats

Years In Business

3000 +

Units Sold

50

States Sold In

1000000 +

Avg Annual SQFT

Frequently Asked Questions

Get answers to common questions about our cold-formed steel building kits, customization options, and services.

01

How is this different from the “red-iron” buildings I’ve seen?

Red-iron frames use massive hot-rolled I-beams that typically need larger cranes and longer fabrication times. Cold-formed steel uses lighter C- and Z-shaped beams that bolt together. Same strength for small-to-medium spans—less fuss, space, and equipment on site.

Read more on our Blog on this topic specifically — PEMB vs Cold Formed Steel Buildings: Which Metal System Fits Your Project here.

02

Can I build it myself?

Many customers do. We provide erection drawings, labeled parts, and phone support. You’ll still need a concrete crew and licensed trades for electric or plumbing, but the frame itself is straightforward.

03

What will it cost?

A rough ballpark:

  • $12–18 per sq ft for the shell package (steel frame, wall and roof panels, trim).
  • $6–10 per sq ft if you hire a crew to erect it.
    Turnkey costs—including slab, utilities, and finishes—usually land between $85–130 per sq ft, depending on location and finish level.
04

How long will it take?

Small, simple buildings (around 1,000 sq ft) can go from permit to completion in about 2-3 months. Larger builds (3,000 to 5,000 sq ft) may run 3-4 months—still far quicker than traditional PEMB or wood.

05

How does cold-formed steel compare to traditional wood framing?

Cold-Formed Steel vs. Wood: Steel won’t warp, rot, or attract termites, and it carries fire-resistant ratings that lower insurance costs.

Read more on our Blog on this topic specifically — Steel vs Wood Framed Buildings: The Definitive Guide here.

Our Service Areas

Explore our reach—serving clients nationwide with expertise across all three divisions

Where We Ship

Building Materials Nationwide

Where We Erect

Southeast USA

Construction Services

GA, SC, TN, AL