8 Reasons Why Steel Building Systems Are the Gold Standard for Airplane Hangars
When it comes to storing and protecting aircraft and equipment, not just any structure will do.
Aircraft require flexible, open space, durable construction, and precise design features that ensure safety and efficiency. Fortunately, there is a practical solution: pre-engineered steel buildings. A combination of protection, strength, and durability, a steel airplane hangar is one of the sturdiest and most cost-effective structures in the industry, making it a smart investment for storing private or commercial aircraft and equipment.
Why Steel Building Systems Are the Best Solution for Aircraft Storage
Airplane hangars of the past were constructed from a variety of materials, including wood frames, fabric coverings, and concrete. However, these structures were impractical and prone to pests, rot, fire, and limited space and flexibility. Today, pre-fabricated steel buildings are the gold standard for airplane hangars and offer distinct advantages that check all the boxes. Here are just a few of them:
1. Wide Open Spaces and Unparalleled Storage Capacity
Pre-engineered metal buildings offer spacious, clear-span interiors without support columns, allowing for easier aircraft storage and maintenance. With design options like arched roofs, they maximize usable space and allow additions such as lofts or compartments, securing aircraft storage and allowing room for maintenance equipment and machinery.
2. Better Climate Control
When it comes to protecting your aircraft, climate control in your hangar is not a luxury; it’s a necessity. Aircraft are susceptible to temperature swings, humidity, and condensation, and even aviation fuel and hydraulic fluids can be compromised by extreme conditions. With proper insulation, ventilation, and HVAC solutions, a steel hangar maintains consistent temperatures, creating a comfortable environment for pilots and crews while safeguarding aircraft and equipment year-round.
3. Strength and Durability
Airplane hangars must be tough and long-lasting. PBS steel buildings are up to the task. Known for their durability and longevity, our steel airplane hangars are engineered to withstand the most challenging conditions, including extreme weather and natural elements. The result is a structure that’s stronger and more reliable than traditional construction – making it ideal to protect aircraft equipment and supplies year-round.
4. Flexible and Adaptable
When it comes to aircraft, one size never fits all. Our steel building systems are custom-engineered to match the unique requirements of your aircraft. As your operations grow, your steel structure can easily adapt whether you need to expand, reconfigure, or add new features. Unlike traditional construction, pre-engineered metal buildings are designed for seamless modification and expansion, giving you the flexibility to scale with your needs.
5. Fire Resistance
While no building is entirely fireproof, steel has noncombustible properties that resist ignition and slow the spread of flames. In environments where airplane fuel poses added risk or in regions prone to wildfires and dry conditions, this fire resistance offers a critical advantage over traditional wood construction. Choosing a steel aircraft hangar provides an extra layer of protection for your planes.
6. Faster, Accelerated Construction
Pre-engineered steel buildings are designed for fast, cost-efficient assembly, maximizing efficiency, reducing field labor, and avoiding costly delays. Our metal airplane hangars are engineered with the highest-quality steel and delivered with everything needed for a seamless build. Each component is precisely cut, welded, punched, painted, and pre-assembled to your specifications in our Oregon facility. Frames arrive with clips and angles pre-welded, siding and roofing panels pre-cut, and flashing and trim custom-fit for your structure. Every part is carefully labeled, packaged, and delivered by our private fleet to ensure accuracy, quality, and on-time installation.
7. Low-Maintenance
Pre-engineered metal buildings (PEMBs) are built to deliver long-term durability, performance, and protection from the elements with less maintenance than traditional structures. Due to the quality and durability of our steel components, steel aircraft hangars engineered by Pacific Building Systems are naturally resistant to corrosion and weathering, ensuring minimal maintenance and a lifespan that can exceed a lifetime when properly cared for.
8. Customizable, Aesthetically Pleasing Designs
Contrary to common misconceptions, modern steel building systems can be fully customized with a wide range of colors, finishes, and structural enhancements to create an attractive design. Each hangar is engineered to meet specific needs such as door size, interior clearance, office space, and mezzanines. PBS’s in-house team of experts can incorporate our high-quality steel building components with modern design options and other architectural elements to create a functional and attractive airplane hangar that matches your exact style and brand identity, which will last for generations.
Airplane Hangars Designed by Pacific Building Systems
Pacific Building Systems (PBS) has been a trusted aircraft hangar manufacturer and a leader in the Pacific Northwest steel building industry for more than six decades. Our portfolio of pre-engineered metal buildings highlights a wide range of high-quality, custom structures, including prefabricated airplane hangars designed for personal aircraft owners, the military, and commercial airport operators. Â
This video showcases our expertise in designing and constructing custom steel airplane hangars. It features some of our completed projects in Oregon, including the Salem Air Center and the Sunriver Airport Hangar.
Featured Aviation Project: Custom Prefabricated Steel Airplane Hangar
Location: Salem, Oregon
When Salem, Oregon, businessman and general contractor Don Lulay came to Pacific Building Systems (PBS) to build an 8,000 sq. ft. airplane hangar, he knew we would deliver (literally and figuratively)! We customized this hangar by adding high-quality components like a hydraulic hangar door, overhead door, commercial storefront entry, mezzanine, and more. As you’ll see from the photos on the project page, the clear span interior was large enough to accommodate multiple aircraft and luxury automobiles.
Featured Aviation Project: Metal Airplane Hangar at Sunriver Airport
Location: Bend, Oregon
Sunriver Airport in Bend, OR, a privately-owned regional airport located in the resort community of Sunriver in Central Oregon, is considered one of the premier resort airports in the country. Airport officials approached us with a need for a new airplane hangar that would provide climate control, durability, and sufficient space to accommodate a range of aircraft and equipment. Through the use of sound engineering, superior steel, and seasoned experience, we were able to work with a local architectural firm to design and deliver a custom airplane hangar directly to their site. Click here to read more about this project.
Featured Aviation Project: Salem Air Center Inc. Â
Location: Salem, Oregon
Our team is proud to have worked on a project for Salem Air Center Inc., a company that provides support services in the aviation industry. The business offers a wide range of services, including aircraft sales, management, maintenance, and repairs. The company came to Pacific Building Systems for a spacious, modern steel airplane hangar featuring hydraulic doors, commercial entryways, and mezzanine space. Click here to see photos and learn more about this exciting project.
Build Your Own Steel Airplane Hangar
Aircraft are a significant investment, and protecting them requires a facility built to last. Choosing a steel building system from Pacific Building Systems means benefiting from decades of expertise and a custom structure designed for durability, aesthetics, and ease of assembly. From private single-aircraft hangars to large-scale airport projects, we’ve delivered a wide range of aviation facilities including single hangars, corporate hangars, maintenance buildings, shade ports, and multi-port tee hangar systems.
Ready to explore how a steel hangar can protect your aircraft and streamline operations? Contact Pacific Building Systems today to discuss your custom airplane hangar project.
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