Types of steel storage buildings
For basic storage, arch-style steel buildings - commonly known as Quonset huts - can be an excellent choice. Because they're constructed with interlocking metal ribs that form the roof and sides of the building, they can be put together very quickly with basic construction skills. They aren't very adaptable or customizable, however. Their construction only allows for doors and windows in the endwalls, not the sides, and the overhead clearance drops considerably as you get further away from the center of the building.
The primary type of steel storage buildings is the rigid frame style steel buildings. These are constructed with steel skeleton framing and flat steel panels for the roof and walls. They can include doors and windows in any wall, and can be expanded with relative ease. While they are still much easier to build than traditional buildings, more expertise and equipment is required to construct a rigid frame building than an arch style building.
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What size do you need?
One of the advantages of steel storage buildings is the huge open spaces they can easily contain. However, try not to get carried away: the bigger the building, the more it will cost to build, heat, and maintain. The first consideration about size, of course, is usage. Whether the building is going to contain rack systems, open shelving, or just open space, you should carefully plot out a desired floor plan to determine the height and width you need.
"Clearspan" buildings - those without any interior columns - can be up to around 150' wide. With interior columns, width is nearly unlimited - over 1000' is possible. Most steel storage buildings are one story, but can include significant interior ceiling clearance to accommodate vertical shelving.
