Multi-Cover has been building and installing our own specially designed metal buildings for over 18 years using the “mini frame” concept. Most of our buildings were installed locally in the south.
After hearing from some of our friends in the 'Frozen North' we re-thought our building plans. The thought of a $400,000 bonanza being crushed under our hangar when it was weighted down with 6ft of snow and ice was not acceptable! So the idea of external bracing was explored and proved to be the simplest, strongest and least expensive way to go. Our system uses the well proven suspension bridge system which many people don’t notice until it is pointed out to them.
Our bending technology now allows bending of 2x3 inch bright galvanized rectangular steel tubing which becomes the framing structure for up to 45' clear span buildings. These lightweight frames allow manual erection without the use of cranes and produce the most cost effective stressed skin building available The stressed skin principal has long been used in aircraft where lightweight frames (or formers) are combined with the skin (in this case steel sheeting) to carry the load. Tony Fokker (of German Aircraft Fame) pioneered stressed skin as far back as WWI. |  |
The tri motored Ford used the same principal in the 20's to develop the most successful transport of the times (some continued to be used commercially through the 60's). Light weight frames combined with corrugated skin (for stiffness) gave an unprecedented strength to weight ratio. The Ford aircraft were not very clean aerodynamically but they never had structural problems. Remember the days when automobiles had massive frames under them? When Studebaker brought out the first unibody many rejected the concept but today almost all autos are unibody because it is lighter, cheaper and stronger. 
| We predict massive frames on steel buildings will go the same way. Much of the presently used heavy weight structure is needed just to hold up the heavy weight structure! Those heavy weight arches are normally about 20 to 25 ft. apart and depend on much lighter sheet steel "Purlons" running lengthwise to give the final support to the building. It all looks very impressive but a chain is still only as strong as its weakest link! |
Our structure consists of: 2x3 inch angle iron base rails with insert tubes ten inches high welded on every four feet to hold the arches. The supporting arches (trusses) are made of 2x3 inch rectangular 14 gauge tubing which is bright galvanized, giving an appearance similar to aluminum. The arches generally come in three pieces reinforced with a 10 inch insert tube where they are joined at the jobsite using self tapping screws. The strongest part of the arch is the joint where the insert is. Think of the arches as the formers on the fuselage. When the steel skin (sheeting) is applied, you have an unbelievably strong structure with curved eaves (much like the Airstream Trailer) which does not allow a wind to get under the eave to lift off the roof. The sheets run horizontally instead of vertically to take advantage of the lightweight stressed skin principle. |  |
The sheeting is normally 29 gauge baked enamel, pre painted steel (many colors available). This is the same basic product used on most commercial buildings. Perhaps you have noticed that steel buildings built since WWII are never rusty! Perhaps you have also noticed that commercial buildings are almost always steel! There has to be good reason. When the lack of maintenance and longevity are considered, steel is the most economical way to go! | 
