Farm buildings are our bread and butter. If you want a farm building that can withstand the harsh prairie environment and will last generations, look no further than a Prairie Steel building.
Our buildings are steel, which means they will outlive any wooden pole shed, and our unique screw pile and steel base tube foundation system is budget friendly.
How is it budget friendly?
The steel base tube foundation system of these buildings allows for quick erecting of the building without the need for a costly concrete grade beam. Since these steel buildings apply most of their load to the foundation at the columns, spending money on heavy concrete between columns is not always necessary. With the base tube, only the piles need to be installed prior to erecting. The base tube provides guidance for the column layout, and support for the cladding and backfill. By bolting or welding to the top of a concrete or steel pile cap, the building can be safely erected sooner, and/or on a more flexible timeline. You can enclose the building and choose to pour the foundation at a later date.
Step by Step
- Install the screw piles and steel pile caps.
- Lay out the base tube and weld it to the top of the piles.
- Erect the building onto the base tube – temporary bolts are set into tube at column locations.
- Field weld each column base plate to the pile cap once column is plumb and braced.
General advantages of this building system:
- Less expensive than a concrete grade beam
- Allows building to be set up year-round
- Fully enclosed building allows for future concrete slab to be poured in a controlled environment
- Base detail seals out wind and moisture better than a typical channel fastened to a concrete grade beam
- Steel Base tube is notched and prepped for doorways
- Steel Base Tube supplies secure angle to rest wall cladding on during installation
- Provides factory-direct template for helping square and level the building before any structural steel is erected
Construction advantages of this building system:
- Reduced Material Costs
- Concrete foundations require excavation, formwork, rebar, and large amounts of concrete, all of which add significant costs.
- Screw piles or driven steel piles use less material overall and eliminate the need for large concrete pours.
- Faster Installation
- Steel piles can be installed quickly, often within hours, whereas concrete requires curing time (several days to weeks), delaying construction.
- Faster installation reduces labor costs.
- Minimal Excavation & Site Prep
- Traditional foundations need deep excavation, which increases costs for equipment and soil removal.
- Steel piles are drilled or driven in with minimal soil disturbance, saving both time and money.
- No Curing Time or Weather Delays
- Concrete foundations are affected by weather (rain, freezing temperatures), requiring careful planning.
- Steel piles can be installed in almost any weather condition, reducing downtime.
- Reusability & Less Waste
- If needed, screw piles can be removed and reused, unlike concrete, which is permanent and costly to demolish.
While steel piles may have an upfront cost for materials and installation, their overall cost efficiency comes from reduced labor, faster installation, and minimal site preparation—making them a cheaper and more practical option for many metal buildings.
The Open Web Truss System
Our Prairie Steel Building is a steel open web truss system designed to fit a steel base tube foundation system on screw piles.
A steel open web truss system uses interconnected triangles (webs) between top and bottom chords to create strong, but lightweight structural frames for buildings requiring relatively large clear spans of 60’ to 120’ without interior columns. The open design of the trusses can allow for easy routing of pipes and wires where needed.
The Prairie Steel open web truss system is commonly used for large agricultural equipment storage buildings, hangars, and shops.
The Screw Pile & Base Tube Foundation System
The main distinction of the Prairie Steel Building is that it’s designed to be supported by a steel base tube foundation system which is secured to screw piles. This allows the building owner to opt for a gravel foundation rather than a costly concrete foundation.
STEP 1
The building site is surveyed and a crew using specialized equipment drill the screw piles deep into the Earth in the marked locations.
STEP 2
Steel pile caps are leveled and welded to the top of the screw piles.
STEP 3
The base tube is laid out and welded to the top of the screw piles.
STEP 4
Each column base plate is welded to the pile cap once the column is plumb and braced.
Prairie Steel Buildings Competitive Advantages
Prairie Steel Buildings are custom-designed and manufactured in Clavet, Saskatchewan, for farm applications. The open web steel truss system provides large clear spans, making it ideal for equipment storage, farm shops, aircraft hangars, or multi-use agricultural buildings. Supported by a screw pile and steel base tube foundation, these structures can be built on gravel with the option to add concrete later, offering cost savings and budget flexibility. Overall, these buildings are well suited for the Canadian prairies.
Advantages of the Open Web Truss System
- Superior strength-to-weight ratio: The triangulated open web truss design distributes loads efficiently, enabling longer spans with less material than solid beams.
- Cost-saving design: The lightweight open web truss reduces the need for columns and load-bearing walls, opening floor plans and lowering material, foundation, labor, and equipment costs.
- Construction and design flexibility: The open web truss allows HVAC, plumbing, and electrical systems to run through the truss without cutting or modifying structural members.
Advantages of the Screw Pile & Base Tube System
- Superior performance in Canadian climates: Screw piles provide a stable, year‑round foundation by anchoring below the frost line, avoiding frost heave and enabling all‑weather installation—even in northern and permafrost regions – while reducing seasonal delays.
- Speed and efficiency: Screw pile foundations install quickly with minimal excavation, provide immediate load‑bearing capacity, and allow construction to start right away – reducing timelines, labor requirements, and overall costs.
- Cost‑effectiveness: Screw pile foundations reduce overall project costs through fast installation, minimal labor, and little to no excavation, while working effectively in a wide range of soil conditions without costly site preparation.
- Environmental benefits: Screw pile foundations minimize soil disturbance, reduce erosion, eliminate the need for high‑carbon concrete, and can be removed and reused – making them an environmentally responsible choice for both permanent and temporary structures.
How long will it take to get my building?
Our fabrication times are very flexible. The first step is to finalize all design features like door locations, colour schemes, or foundation style. In most cases, once you approve all of the final specifications, we can have your building to you in 4-8 weeks. Our sales staff are up to date on factory volumes and turn-around times, and will always keep you up to date with delivery dates.
Who will set-up my farm building?
Our buildings are the easiest to set-up in the steel building industry. Many of our customers can set them up themselves with guidance from our job-specific erecting instructions. We also have a broad network of qualified builders who can work with you on setting up the building, as well as the foundation.
How do I start my new project?
Give us a call or submit your quote request now! With a short conversation, we can assess your needs and point you in the right direction to get your project moving. You can buy a building package directly from us or you can work with one of our dealers to arrange any level of set-up and completion.