Prefabricated Metal Arch Building in Emerado, North Dakota

A resident of Emerado, North Dakota needed a covered, multifunctional space to use on his hobby farm and ordered this prefabricated Sunward Steel metal arch building in April 2024.

Custom-designed to meet the owner’s needs, the expansive, clear-span steel arch building has 3,000 square feet of column-free interior space the owner can use to house tractors, plows, seeders or other agricultural equipment while leaving plenty of room to move them in and out with ease. The versatile, durable metal arch building has a large opening on one end for easy accessibility and optimal ventilation, and its rugged steel construction offers lasting, reliable protection from the North Dakota elements.

A walk door along the open end of the steel Quonset hut provides easy access for the building owner, while the structure’s flexible, open interior allows for easy adaptability in the event that the owner wants to use some of the space for livestock storage, or as a work area. Designed to protect farm equipment and other valuable assets from rain, snow, pests and other common hazards, this building helps preserve their functionality and resale value, making it a smart investment for a hobby farm.

Easy to raise, customize and maintain, metal arch buildings tend to be more economical than alternative building types due to their simplistic designs. They are also quicker and easier to assemble than most alternatives, resulting in significant savings on construction costs. This particular arched building was also fabricated within the state of North Dakota, leading to additional savings on shipping expenses.

Building Specifications

Constructed using sustainable, damage- and fire-resistant steel parts, this arch structure is 50’x60’ in size and features 26 18-gauge steel arches in total. It has inner and outer flashing along its end wall to keep moisture from seeping in where the wall meets the roof, which is especially important in North Dakota and other places that see heavy annual rain or snowfall as it provides an extra layer of defense against moisture and condensation.

The steel arch building also complies with the building code requirements in place in the region, featuring a 110-mph wind speed rating and a heavy, 50-psf roof snow load. Located in Grand Forks County in eastern North Dakota, the city of Emerado is part of Greater Grand Forks, lying about 16 miles west of the city of Grand Forks and about 75 miles east-southeast of Devils Lake.