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Historically, wood and bricks have been the primary materials used by humans to construct buildings. In the late nineteenth century, larger steel-framed buildings began to appear. Since then, metal buildings have become more widespread. The use of metal is increasing in smaller buildings. It is used not only for framing, but also for walls and roofs.

Historically, wood and bricks have been the primary materials used by humans to construct buildings. In the late nineteenth century, larger steel-framed buildings began to appear. Since then, metal buildings have become more widespread. The use of metal is increasing in smaller buildings. It is used not only for framing, but also for walls and roofs.

For many years steel was known, but was so expensive and hard to make that it was only used for special purposes such as sword blades. The Bessemer steel making process from 1855 changed this by dramatically reducing the cost of steel. It was now cost effective to use steel as a framing material for buildings.

Alloys of steel have been developed for many different applications. Some are moisture resistant, but tend to be rather expensive, such as stainless steel. Treatments such as galvanizing, plating with zinc, can be applied to other kinds of steel to protect them from rusting. Paints have also been developed to make steel somewhat water resistant.

Aluminum was considered a semi-precious metal until the last century. Innovations in aluminum refining have made it quite affordable. It is not quite as strong as steel, but it for many applications it is easier to work with. Unlike steel, it does not require special treatment to protect it from water. On exposure to the air, aluminum develops a thin, tough coat of oxide that protects it from the elements. Future steel buildings are often painted, but only to improve the way it looks.

Copper is not very strong and rather expensive, so it would not be a good choice for framing. It is sometimes used for walls or roofs. When it weathers it acquires an attractive greenish sheen. This is due to oxidation which does not penetrate enough to cause serious weakness.

Quonset huts appeared all over the place during World War II. The first mass produced metal buildings, they had a curved piece of galvanized steel that combined roof and sidewalls into one unit. These pieces could be stacked for easy shipping. They were easy to put up and easy to take down.

Today it is very common for utility storage buildings, and even larger auxiliary structures like garages, to be built entirely from steel. It is low cost, strong, durable, and easy to assemble. The quonset hut style is still occasionally seen, but future steel buildings are more common as they provide more usable interior volume for a given footprint.

Steel, or aluminum in some cases, can be used for framing when building houses. Steel is stronger, but aluminum is easier to work with. Computerized equipment that can custom make aluminum framing at the construction location does exist. Most factory built mobile or modular homes are framed with metal. Metal framing is not used as much in more traditional home building, but it is becoming a viable option.

Sheet metal is usable as a roofing material. It can be used either in large sheets or in smaller pieces similar to conventional shingles. Treatments are available to weatherize it and to make it more attractive. It can be used for siding as well, either in flat sheets or shingles or even in pieces shaped to resemble conventional wooden clapboards.

Metal buildings have a major role in today's world. With wood production under stress from increasing demand, using metal as a substitute is desirable from an environmental point of view. The metal in buildings is mostly recyclable. Anyone who is planning construction or major refurbishing of a building of any sort should consider the use of metal.