Farm buildings are our bread and butter. If you want a farm building that can withstand the harsh prairie environment and will last generations, look no further than a Prairie Steel building.
Our buildings are steel, which means they will outlive any wooden pole shed, and our unique screw pile and steel base tube foundation system is budget friendly.
How is it budget friendly?
The steel base tube foundation system of these buildings allows for quick erecting of the building without the need for a costly concrete grade beam. Since these steel buildings apply most of their load to the foundation at the columns, spending money on heavy concrete between columns is not always necessary. With the base tube, only the piles need to be installed prior to erecting. The base tube provides guidance for the column layout, and support for the cladding and backfill. By bolting or welding to the top of a concrete or steel pile cap, the building can be safely erected sooner, and/or on a more flexible timeline. You can enclose the building and choose to pour the foundation at a later date.
Step by Step
- Install the screw piles and steel pile caps.
- Lay out the base tube and weld it to the top of the piles.
- Erect the building onto the base tube – temporary bolts are set into tube at column locations.
- Field weld each column base plate to the pile cap once column is plumb and braced.
General advantages of this building system:
- Less expensive than a concrete grade beam
- Allows building to be set up year-round
- Fully enclosed building allows for future concrete slab to be poured in a controlled environment
- Base detail seals out wind and moisture better than a typical channel fastened to a concrete grade beam
- Steel Base tube is notched and prepped for doorways
- Steel Base Tube supplies secure angle to rest wall cladding on during installation
- Provides factory-direct template for helping square and level the building before any structural steel is erected
Construction advantages of this building system:
- Reduced Material Costs
- Concrete foundations require excavation, formwork, rebar, and large amounts of concrete, all of which add significant costs.
- Screw piles or driven steel piles use less material overall and eliminate the need for large concrete pours.
- Faster Installation
- Steel piles can be installed quickly, often within hours, whereas concrete requires curing time (several days to weeks), delaying construction.
- Faster installation reduces labor costs.
- Minimal Excavation & Site Prep
- Traditional foundations need deep excavation, which increases costs for equipment and soil removal.
- Steel piles are drilled or driven in with minimal soil disturbance, saving both time and money.
- No Curing Time or Weather Delays
- Concrete foundations are affected by weather (rain, freezing temperatures), requiring careful planning.
- Steel piles can be installed in almost any weather condition, reducing downtime.
- Reusability & Less Waste
- If needed, screw piles can be removed and reused, unlike concrete, which is permanent and costly to demolish.
While steel piles may have an upfront cost for materials and installation, their overall cost efficiency comes from reduced labor, faster installation, and minimal site preparation—making them a cheaper and more practical option for many metal buildings.
How long will it take to get my building?
Our fabrication times are very flexible. The first step is to finalize all design features like door locations, colour schemes, or foundation style. In most cases, once you approve all of the final specifications, we can have your building to you in 4-8 weeks. Our sales staff are up to date on factory volumes and turn-around times, and will always keep you up to date with delivery dates.
Who will set-up my farm building?
Our buildings are the easiest to set-up in the steel building industry. Many of our customers can set them up themselves with guidance from our job-specific erecting instructions. We also have a broad network of qualified builders who can work with you on setting up the building, as well as the foundation.
How do I start my new project?
Give us a call or submit your quote request now! With a short conversation, we can assess your needs and point you in the right direction to get your project moving. You can buy a building package directly from us or you can work with one of our dealers to arrange any level of set-up and completion.