Width and Length Aren't the Only Dimensions That Matter

When customers start planning a steel building, they usually begin with two numbers: Width and length. But there's a third measurement that can have just as much impact on how useful the finished building will be:eave height. Choosing a building that's too short can limit door openings, equipment, vehicle lifts, storage racks and future expansion options.

What Is Eave Height?

For an I-beam building, eave height generally refers to the height at the outside wall where the roof and wall meet. It is not necessarily the maximum height at the peak of the roof. Roof pitch affects the total building height, so two buildings with the same eave height can have different peak heights.

Start With Your Door Height

Your overhead door is one of the first things to consider. The building needs enough height to accommodate the desired door opening plus the structural and door components above it. If you're storing RVs, commercial trucks, tractors or heavy equipment, determine the required door height before finalizing the building.

Vehicle Lifts Require Additional Height

Automotive workshops need to think vertically. A vehicle lift raises the car or truck significantly above floor level. You need enough clear height for the lift, vehicle and safe working space. This is one reason commercial mechanic shops and automotive hobby buildings often benefit from greater eave heights than basic storage buildings.

Think About Storage Racks

Warehouses and commercial storage facilities often make money by using vertical space. Taller pallet racks can increase storage capacity without increasing the building footprint. 
If forklifts and high-bay racking are part of the plan, building height should be considered alongside floor dimensions.

Planning a Mezzanine?

A mezzanine creates another level of usable space inside the building. But it also requires adequate vertical clearance above and below the mezzanine floor. If you are considering offices, storage or work areas on a mezzanine, tell your building specialist during the initial design stage. The structure must be engineered for the appropriate loads.

Taller Isn't Automatically Better

More height can provide flexibility, but that doesn't mean every project needs the tallest building possible. Additional building volume can affect materials, heating and cooling requirements and overall project cost. The goal is to choose enough height for the building's current and reasonably anticipated future uses.

Consider What the Building Might Become

A storage building today could become a workshop later. A warehouse could eventually need taller racks. A small commercial building could require additional equipment. Considering potential future uses can help prevent choosing a height that unnecessarily limits the building later.

Get the Dimensions Right Before You Order

Duro Beam I-beam buildings are custom engineered around the requirements of the individual project. Width, length, eave height, roof pitch, door openings and local design loads all work together. Rather than selecting a generic building size, talk with our team about what you're putting inside and how the building will be used.

Call Duro Beam at 800-445-0412 to discuss your building dimensions and request a custom I-beam steel building quote.