What should I consider when comparing aircraft hangar steel buildings to generic warehouses adapted for aircraft?
Choose a purpose-built aircraft hangar steel building kit instead of a warehouse. It delivers clear 100-ft spans, full-height doors, tail clearance, fire-rated design, and county-specific wind and snow loads. Retrofitting generic boxes adds cost, delays, and liability, plus you keep resale value and lower insurance.
Start with the key span. A 100×120 aircraft hangar steel building kit from TruSteel arrives bolt-up and clear span, so wings and tails are never boxed in by interior columns. Warehouses framed for pallet racking often max out at 60-80-ft between columns; moving them costs more than buying the right frame.
Door systems are next. Hangars need a 60-100-ft bi-fold, hydraulic, or stacker door rated for 20-25 psf loads. A big-box retrofit means cutting the gable, adding steel, then re-insulating the opening, which costs both time and money.
Floor live load is lighter for aircraft, but the slab has to handle nose-gear point loads. TruSteel stamps both building and foundation plans for your county, so the engineer sizes footings and embeds correctly the first time.
Fire and ventilation codes differ too. NFPA 409 calls for specific fire zones, foam systems, and clear egress widths. Our red iron steel building kits meet those rules, and our insulated metal buildings reach the R-values airports demand for condensation control.
Finally, schedule. You receive a quote and sketch in 24-72 hours, stamped drawings in two to four weeks, and steel on site about four weeks after approval. With our nationwide installer network, the hangar is flying in one to two weeks, backed by a 30-year manufacturer’s warranty and the storm-resistant steel buildings ratings coastal airports need. Contact TruSteel today for your free quote.