Metal building manufacturers and suppliers offer numerous metal framing types for their buildings. The right framing system for your building depends on a couple of factors: the planned size of the building and its intended use. Multi-span technology includes interior support columns, which means that the building can be divided into sections. Clear-span technology offers expansive interior space, but comes with a higher price tag than multi-span.

Think carefully about how you plan to use the building. You may be able to use a multi-span system for a warehouse or a retail store, but a new church sanctuary or sports arena may be better suited to a clear-span application.

If you plan to build a large manufacturing facility and interior columns will not negatively impact your floor plan, consider installing a multi-span rigid frame metal building system. The use of interior support columns in lieu of clear-span construction will significantly reduce the cost of your building. The multi-span frame option is also optimal if your building will be subdivided into specific sections, for example a strip mall. Clear-span construction should only be used when wide open interior spaces are required.

Let’s use the example of a new gymnasium for your school. The gymnasium is to be 60 feet wide by 200 feet long. The roof pitch must be 3:12 and requires a 30 lb. per square foot snow load. The sidewalls must be at least 20 feet high for sporting activities. The solution for this example would be a clear-span metal building system since interior columns are not acceptable for a gym. A clear-span building can be up to 300 feet wide, with an eave height is between 10 and 24 feet, and the length of the system is expandable for additional square footage in the future.

Either single-span or multi-span configuration works for the vast majority of metal building projects. Storage and ancillary or add-on structures to your main building will save you money if you choose alternate metal framing systems for these structures, such as tapered beams or a lean-to style.

You may want to select a smaller clear-span building for your initial requirements if your budget is tight. As your space requirements enlarge in the future, and as your available building monies will allow, the end walls are easily removed and additional square footage can be added, usually in 20 to 25 foot bay increments. In most instances the original end walls can be re-attached.

Clear-span metal framing is the obvious choice if you require an obstacle-free interior environment. Consider multi-span metal framing if your project has a limited budget or if interior support columns are acceptable.