AI Metal Building Glossary

A / Foundation

Anchor Bolts

Steel bolts embedded into the concrete foundation that connect the building columns or base plates to the slab or pier system.

FoundationErection

B / Trim

Base Angle

A steel angle installed near the base of the wall to help support or secure wall panels, trims, and closure details.

TrimWall Panels

B / Framing

Bay Spacing

The distance between main frames or columns along the length of the building. Bay spacing affects framing, pricing, doors, and interior layout.

FramingLayout

C / Building System

Cold-Formed Steel

Light-gauge steel shaped at room temperature into framing members. Cold-formed systems are often used for smaller metal buildings, garages, shops, and certain commercial projects.

CFSBuilding System

C / Loads

Collateral Load

Additional dead load from items such as ceilings, sprinklers, lighting, HVAC, mechanical systems, or other suspended materials supported by the building.

LoadsDesign

C / Framing

Clear Span

A building layout with no interior columns between the sidewalls, allowing open interior space for storage, equipment, vehicles, aircraft, or production use.

Rigid FrameInterior Space

D / Loads

Dead Load

The permanent weight of the building materials and fixed components, including framing, roof panels, wall panels, trims, and attached permanent systems.

LoadsEngineering

D / Engineering

Deflection

The amount a structural member bends or moves under load. Deflection limits help protect panels, finishes, doors, and overall building performance.

EngineeringPerformance

E / Dimensions

Eave Height

The height from the finished floor or grade to the eave line where the sidewall meets the roof. Eave height affects door clearance, cost, and building volume.

DimensionsPlanning

E / Framing

Endwall

The wall located at either end of the building. Endwalls may be designed as expandable or non-expandable depending on future expansion plans.

FramingExpansion

E / Wind

Exposure Category

A wind design classification based on surrounding terrain, such as open land, suburban areas, or urban conditions. Exposure can affect required wind design pressures.

WindCode

F / Openings

Framed Opening

A structural opening framed into the building for items like overhead doors, walk doors, windows, louvers, or other wall penetrations.

DoorsOpenings

F / Foundation

Foundation

The concrete system that supports the metal building, transfers loads to the ground, and anchors the structure. Foundation design should be coordinated with the building reactions.

ConcreteAnchor Bolts

G / Secondary Framing

Girt

A horizontal secondary framing member used in wall systems to support wall panels and transfer loads back to the primary structure.

Wall FramingSecondary Steel

G / Panels

Galvalume

A coated steel product commonly used for metal roofing and panels. It combines aluminum and zinc coating protection for corrosion resistance.

Roof PanelsCoating

H / Rigid Frame

Haunch

The reinforced area where the column and rafter connect in a rigid frame. The haunch helps resist bending and transfer forces through the frame.

Rigid FramePrimary Steel

I / Energy

Insulation

Material installed in the roof and walls to help control heat transfer, condensation, comfort, and energy performance. Local energy codes may require specific R-values.

EnergyR-Value

L / Loads

Live Load

A temporary or movable load considered in design, such as maintenance loads, roof live load, occupancy loads, or other non-permanent loads.

LoadsCode

M / Primary Framing

Main Frame

The primary structural frame of a metal building, typically made up of columns and rafters that carry roof, wall, wind, snow, and other design loads.

Primary SteelPEMB

P / Panels

PBR Panel

A common exposed-fastener metal panel profile used for roofs and walls. PBR generally means purlin-bearing rib panel.

PanelsRoofing

P / Building System

PEMB

Pre-engineered metal building. A steel building system designed and manufactured as a coordinated package, often using rigid frames, secondary framing, panels, and trim.

Red IronBuilding System

P / Secondary Framing

Purlin

A horizontal secondary framing member installed in the roof system to support roof panels and transfer roof loads to the primary frames.

Roof FramingSecondary Steel

R / Building System

Red Iron

A common term for primary steel framing coated with red oxide primer. Red iron buildings are often associated with rigid frame PEMB systems.

Rigid FramePEMB

R / Framing

Rigid Frame

A primary steel frame system where columns and rafters work together to resist loads. Rigid frames are common in larger clear-span metal buildings.

Primary SteelClear Span

R / Roof

Roof Pitch

The slope of the roof, usually expressed as inches of rise per 12 inches of horizontal run. Roof pitch affects appearance, drainage, cost, and clearance.

RoofDesign

S / Walls

Sidewall

The long wall of the building, usually running parallel to the ridge line. Sidewalls often contain overhead doors, walk doors, windows, or wall openings.

WallLayout

S / Loads

Snow Load

The load from snow accumulation considered in roof design. Snow load varies by location, elevation, local code, roof shape, and exposure conditions.

LoadsRoof

S / Roofing

Standing Seam Roof

A metal roof system with raised seams and concealed fasteners. Standing seam roofs are often selected for improved weather performance and a cleaner appearance.

RoofingPanels

T / Finish

Trim

Metal finishing components used around corners, eaves, rakes, bases, doors, windows, gutters, and other transitions to protect and finish the building.

FinishFlashing

W / Loads

Wind Load

The force from wind pressure and suction acting on the building. Wind load affects framing, bracing, panels, fasteners, doors, and foundation reactions.