Metal Building Homes in Arkansas

Metal building homes in Arkansas use steel frames, steel roof and wall panels, or both, to build a durable, low-maintenance house. We build them on your land and focus on the parts that decide whether a metal home is comfortable: insulation, vapor control, HVAC sizing and anchoring to the slab.

Condensation is the first problem to solve

Arkansas is humid, with yearly precipitation of about 45 to 55 inches across the state. When warm, damp air meets cold steel, water forms on the inside of panels and purlins. Left alone, that drips onto insulation and drywall. We close the steel off from interior air with spray foam or a continuous insulated system and a planned vapor control layer, and we write that plan into the estimate.

Insulation and energy rules

Cities that adopt the state codes, such as Russellville, list the 2014 Arkansas Energy Code alongside Volume III of the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code. HomeGuide prices spray foam at about $1.50 to $5.00 per square foot of surface area. A well-sealed metal home lets the HVAC system be sized to the real load instead of oversized to fight leaks.

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Wind and tornado anchorage

A steel frame is only as strong as its connection to the ground. Little Rock's design criteria list 115 mph for ordinary homes; your county may differ. The University of Arkansas extension service notes that wide, free-span roofs are especially vulnerable in tornadoes, so anchor bolts, base plates, bracing and roof fastening are matched to the engineered loads, and an interior safe room is worth considering.

Steel and the Arkansas climate

HomeGuide notes metal construction resists mold, pests and fire better than wood, which matters in a warm, wet state. Exterior steel panels need little upkeep beyond washing and checking fasteners. Inside, a finished metal building home looks like any other house.

Steel frame or wood frame with steel skin

Some metal building homes use a full red-iron steel frame; others use a wood post-frame or stick frame with steel roof and siding. The steel frame suits wide clear spans and big shop openings; the wood frame makes interior finish and insulation details simpler. Both can be built to the same wind design. We recommend one after looking at your plan, span needs and budget.

Roof and wall details that matter

Ridge and eave closures, sealed fasteners, gutters sized for heavy Arkansas downpours and a wide overhang over doors and windows keep water where it belongs. These small details are written into the scope so they are not skipped on the job.

Finishing the inside

Inside, a metal building home is framed and finished like any house: insulated stud walls, drywall, trim, cabinets and flooring. Once finished, the rooms read like those of a conventional house.