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Hybrid Steel Buildings

Western Steel works with Architects, Developers, and Contractors Across North America by Providing Pre-Engineered, Concrete Tilt-Up & Structural Steel Building Solutions.

Western Steel's
Hybrid Steel Building System

Our Hybrid Buildings incorporate both conventional steel primary members and pre-engineered secondary members, bringing the best qualities of each, together.

Our Hybrid Steel Buildings combine the advantages of Pre-engineered Metal Buildings (PEMBs) and Conventional Structural Steel Buildings, resulting in several notable benefits:

Cost Efficiency: Hybrid buildings leverage the precision of factory-based fabrication found in PEMBs for secondary members while benefiting from conventional steel’s structural strength. As a result, they often prove to be a more cost-effective option. These buildings minimize material waste and enhance the efficiency of production and installation processes.

Design Flexibility: Unlike PEMBs, which may have limitations in terms of design possibilities, hybrid buildings offer the same customization options as conventional steel structures. This allows for the creation of more intricate and distinctive architectural designs.

Accelerated Construction: Integrating pre-engineered components in hybrid building systems significantly reduces construction time. These components can be assembled quickly on-site, reducing the need for extensive field fabrication and expediting the construction process.

By merging the exceptional attributes of Pre-engineered Metal Buildings (PEMBs) and Conventional Structural Steel Buildings, our Hybrid Building System delivers outstanding durability, design flexibility, cost-effectiveness, and accelerated installation, rendering it an ideal selection for complex low to mid-rise new construction projects.

PEMBs and Conventional Steel Structures have distinct engineering and installation processes. PEMBs employ a pre-engineered, three-plate design, utilizing factory-cut and pre-drilled steel components for convenient assembly. They primarily use I-beams and a bolt-together system but may face challenges when dealing with complex designs.

On the other hand, Conventional Steel Buildings provide greater customization options. They utilize open web steel joists as primary members, along with field-cut and drilled I-beams, steel plates, channels, and hollow beams as secondary components. However, this flexibility results in higher labor costs and increased material usage due to on-site fabrication.

PEMBs often boast lower costs due to precise factory-based fabrication, reducing waste and production time while accelerating installation. At Western Steel, we have developed our SolutionCentric™ approach, blending these methods to create our Hybrid Building System. This system combines Conventional Steel for primary members and PEMB for secondary ones, harnessing the design flexibility of open web steel joists while maintaining the efficiency of PEMBs for optimized design flexibility and cost-effectiveness.

Open Web Steel Joists

Joists from conventional steel construction are the primary frame of a Western Hybrid Building System and they are used to support the floors or roof of a building. A steel joist must be designed to withstand forces and stress while minimizing weight, space requirements, and material costs. Different types of joist designs are available based on loading and mounting configurations. Open-web steel joist (OWSJ) consists of two parallel members, or chords, with a repeating, triangular web structure located between the chords.

Pre-Engineered Secondary Members

Secondary framing is commonly made from cold-formed steel components that meet established standards for quality and grade. The typical shapes of the secondary framing members include purlins, girts, eave struts, wall base.

Girts

A girt is a horizontal member in a wall frame that supports the wall panel. It also forms a frame around windows and doors. Purlins provide similar support for roof panels and are typically placed on top of the primary steel structure. Girts and purlins are “Z” sections, available in depths of 8, 10, or 12 inches. Each flange of the “Z” has a stiffening lip formed at a 50° angle, allowing it to connect with adjacent members and create a continuous beam across multiple sections.

Eave Struts

Are secondary members that are installed along the roof eaves to support the edge of the roofing panels. They are typically roll-formed “C” sections, 8 inches deep nominal (roll-formed) with 3 ¼ inch wide top and bottom flanges; or brake-formed “C” sections 10 inches or 12 inches deep nominal with a 3 ¼ inch wide top flange and a 4 ½ inch wide bottom flange.

Wall Base Angle Trim

Provides support for wall panels and closes off the open ribs at their base. A standard base condition is to use this one-piece member without a panel notch in the concrete foundation. However, dimensions of this member allow it to be used in conjunction with a panel notch, if the customer so desires.

Our Steel Building Types Structural Pre-Engineered Hybrid

Areas We Serve

Our fully-integrated team of Structural Engineers, Detailers, Account Managers, and Estimators provides our clients with optimal resources for timely and cost-effective steel building solutions. This streamlined organizational structure enables us to respond quickly and complete projects within tight timeframes, ensuring timely and cost-effective results that meet even the most critical project needs.

Serving North America

Projects

Serving North America

Projects

Adelyn L.

00:22 20 Mar 23

We bought our metal building for our barndominium from Western Steel and they were so great to work with! Jayson was our project manager and he answered every question we had throughout the process. We had problems when the building was delivered with some pieces being missing, but we called and they had the rest of the pieces to us within a week. Definitely recommend working with Jayson and Western Steel.

Reme P.

21:50 30 Jan 23

I researched companies and options a lot before choosing Western Steel. They were referred to me by a contractor friend that has used them exclusively. Now I know why. They delivered at least six-weeks sooner than other companies were quoting, have a fantasic customer service mentality, and quickly resolved a design misunderstanding. I've since referred Western Steel to two others. Yes, I will use them again!

Paul M.

19:26 13 Dec 22

Sean did a great job providing information early and often; very proactive. Ultimately we went another direction but appreciate their Western's professionalism and assistance in scoping out planning factors.

Scott E.

12:42 23 Sep 22

Utilizing Western Steel Buildings for our project was a life saver. They were quick, detailed and helpful. All questions were answered appropriately and they really assisted through every step of the process. Definitely would use them again on the next project.

Cooper W.

23:39 20 Aug 22

I had heard about Western Steel though working in the construction industry around Utah. I was lucky enough to run into Kai at a jobsite here in Park City and we had a wonderful discussion about my future project in Montana. He even gave me a cool hat! I was sent a quote the very next day. I will continue to work with Western Steel on my project because of there professionalism, generosity and the fact they are local.

Octavio S.

15:09 13 Aug 22

Western Steel has been great to work with. We have worked with them on several projects now and bid on several more together. We continue to use Western Steel and Mark Blume (Manager) on all our current and future metal building needs. I would strongly recommend them for your metal building needs. You will get a good manager that is experienced and most of all will give you a good price and quality service. I give them 5 stars and well earned. Thank you. - A5 Des+Con, Tucson, AZ

Dave L.

19:37 11 Aug 22

Western Steel and Mark have been absolutely amazing to work with. I used them when I built my home shop and we are now adding onto our business. They have been very helpful throughout the whole process and extremely fair!

Lindsay L.

16:13 18 Jul 22

I am a commercial project manager that has now completed multiple projects with this company and Mark Blume is by far the most detailed and organized collaborator I have had the pleasure of working with. He gets the job done and doesn't quit till we are 100% satisfied, thank you again! We can't wait to do more projects with his team in the future!

mike M.

19:17 12 Jul 22

My experience with Western Steel Buildings thus far has been nothing short of fantastic. I've had to send them multiple last minute changes which they have quickly and expediently handled. My sales rep, Mark Blume, has gone above and beyond normal expectations in delivering everything I have asked for. Western Steel Buildings really is the best.

Nikki H.

20:11 11 Jul 22

Western Steel Buildings is a great company to work with. We worked personally with Kai Czajka and Ben. They were able to meet our time schedule and when we needed advice on the project they were quick to help us get a resolution. I would recommend Western Steel Buildings to any one who is looking at steel buildings as they were a pleasure to work with.

Taylor Reece C.

02:14 02 Dec 21

Marcus Hensel is someone that everyone should have on their team. He is super transparent and has great communication skills. From the first time we spoke to now we have grown a great relationship that I am the beneficiary of. He always answers his phone and always has the clients interest in mind. I am glad he’s my contact to the company!’

Dylan S.

21:03 27 Sep 21

Aaron, Ben and the whole Western Steel family took extremely good care of us. From day 1 until now, they have provided excellent communication, service and quality materials. I wouldn't buy a building from any other company. They exceeded our expectations and I would highly recommend them to anyone I know. A+

Schyler P.

21:35 14 Sep 21

Been working with Mark Blume on a number of buildings and he is top notch. What I like most is knowing I'm working with someone that is honest, straightforward, and truly wants to make sure I am getting the right building and value for my project.

patrick G.

23:42 13 Sep 21

Western Steel Buildings, and their team, especially Mark Blume and Wes Jones have time and again shown their industry knowledge though our interactions. As an Insulated Metal Panel (IMP) specialist installer, we have worked very closely with Mark and Wes on a number of projects which have always been handled professionally and thoughtfully as anyone might expect from a top tier company like Western.However, I’m writing this review today because of the above and beyond actions their team has shown our company and this industry. These folks are genuinely the most knowledgeable and passionate our company has contacted and worked with.Mark recently advised on some products that would aid in the install of a roof system we are currently preforming for the military which has saved us some time and money resulting in us landing the contract.I am not saying call these guys for free advice, I’m just saying their expertise is not found anywhere else in the industry! Thank you to Mark, Wes, and the rest of the team over at Western for all the help and professionalism over these years!—Patrick GrugelBuffalo Craftsmen LLC

Gill B.

16:50 26 Nov 18

Western Steel Buildings is very good to work with. I'm very happy with the building. I did some parts of the construction myself and subcontracted some parts. They were helpful in that process. Everything was there in the first shipment, which turns out to be important when your subcontractor is on site with a crew and ready to go.

Rodger C F.

17:24 14 Jul 17

The Salt Lake Astronomical Society purchased a steel building from Western Steel Buildings. It is 45'X25'X10'high sitting on top of 8-foot high concrete walls. The building houses the largest amateur telescope in the world and the choice of building was perfect for our needs.Western Steel Buildings was very good to work with and the building was very cost effective. I am very pleased with the quality of the building, its looks and how easy they made the purchase and construction phase. They lined up the contractor to erect the building and that company did an excellent job.I won't hesitate to once again purchase from Western Steel Building when we have additional needs

Hybrid Steel Buildings