Certified vs. Non-Certified Metal Buildings

Metal buildings can be certified or non-certified, but it’s not always easy to notice the visible difference between the two from the outside. The real differences revolve around structural integrity and around the building’s ability to withstand certain weather challenges. In order to know whether a certified or uncertified building is right for you, it’s important that you understand the differences between the two.

What does it mean to say that a metal building is “certified”? Essentially, a certified building is professionally designed and engineered to withstand established ratings for wind speed and/or snow loads. In certain areas where building permits are needed for installation, only a certified metal building will be considered eligible to meet the necessary requirements. In addition, some states and localities require all buildings to be certified.

If you live in an area where building permits are not required for metal structures, then you may have the option of just going with a non-certified structure for your carport or metal building. The choice is really up to you. Non-certified steel structures are still steel structures, so they’re a more reliable choice than stick-build structures regardless of any certification. But there are real advantages to choosing a certified structure. Certified structures come with better engineering, and are installed with more support braces, screws, and anchors than uncertified buildings. Even if you happen to live in an area that doesn’t typically experience wind or snow extremes, there’s greater peace of mind that comes with knowing that your certified metal structure is really built to last.

Comparing Certified and Non-Certified Buildings

Virtually any steel building can be certified, and Central Steel Carports is happy to provide certification options for everything from metal carports, garages, barns, and utility buildings, to RV shelters, commercial buildings, and custom structures of almost any variety. Here’s a side-by-side comparison of some of the features and differences between our certified and non-certified metal buildings:

Here is a side-by-side comparison of the features and the differences between certified and non-certified metal buildings

Certified Metal Building Standards

There is no universally-accepted standard of certification for metal buildings; each manufacturer and metal building provider has the freedom to set its own minimum standards for certification. For your safety and peace of mind, Central Steel Carports is proud to set its bar for metal building certification just a little higher than other providers.

Local building codes can vary widely depending on your specific location. A metal building that meets code in North Carolina, for example, may not meet code in Florida, Vermont, Colorado, or California. Fortunately for you, the expert team at Central Steel Carports is familiar with building code requirements across most every region of the continental United States, and can provide a structure that will suit your needs. Regardless of your install location, a building that’s certified by us is guaranteed to meet – and often exceed – any minimum local building codes or requirements in your particular area.

Engineering Plans

Need or want a copy of the engineering plans for your building? We can make those available to you. Stamped or raised-seal plans are also available (at an extra charge) if your building inspector or local officials require them. You can always just reach out to one of our friendly and knowledgeable specialists if you have any questions about building plans, or about anything else concerning our metal structures.

Choose a Certified Building from Central Steel Carports

Whether you’re looking for a certified or non-certified metal building, Central Steel Carports is here to help take care of your needs. But regardless of any wind or snow load requirements in your area, we strongly encourage each of our customers to consider a certified steel structure. While certifying your building may add a little to the final price tag, our customers have found that the security and peace of mind certification provides more than pays for itself in the long run!