DESIGN YOUR BUILDING IN 3D
See your building before you buy it. Pick the frame, set the size, add doors and windows, and spin it around in 3D. Then send it to us for your real numbers.
TWO FRAMES, TWO DESIGNERS
Each designer matches one type of steel frame. Pick the frame that fits your project, then open its designer.
Cold-Formed SteelCold-Formed Steel Designer
Galvanized steel C-channel members, bolted together as one frame. Our standard line for homes, shops, garages, and barns.
- Barndominiums and homes
- Garages, shops, and ADUs
- Barns and ag buildings
Red IronRed Iron Steel Designer
Heavy structural steel I-beam framing. Built for wide open spans and large commercial buildings.
- Wide clear-span buildings
- Commercial and industrial
- Hangars and warehouses
Done designing? Send it to us and we come back with your real numbers. Start here.
COLD-FORMED STEEL VS RED IRON
Both are real steel buildings. The difference is the frame. Here is the short version.
| Cold-Formed Steel | Red Iron | |
|---|---|---|
| The frame | Galvanized steel C-channel members, bolted together as one frame. | Heavy structural steel I-beams, welded and bolted. |
| Best for | Homes, barndominiums, garages, shops, ADUs, barns, and ag buildings. | Wide clear-span buildings, warehouses, hangars, and large commercial jobs. |
| Feel of the build | Lighter parts. Easier to handle on site. | Heavy parts. Built for big loads and long spans. |
| Designer | Cold-Formed Steel Designer | Red Iron Steel Designer |
Still not sure? Design it in the one that feels closest. We will tell you if the other frame fits better.
THREE STEPS TO YOUR REAL NUMBERS
Pick your frame
Cold-formed steel for homes, shops, garages, and barns. Red iron for wide clear spans and big commercial buildings.
Build it in 3D
Set the width, length, and height. Pick the roof style. Add doors, windows, lean-tos, and colors. Spin it around and look at it from every side.
Send it to us
When it looks right, send it over. We check it against your site and local code, then come back with your real numbers.
DESIGNER QUESTIONS
Which 3D designer should I use?
Most homes, barndominiums, garages, shops, and barns use our cold-formed steel line. Use the Cold-Formed Steel Designer for those. Use the Red Iron Designer when you need a wide open span or a large commercial building.
What happens after I finish a design?
Send us the design, or tell us what you built, and we come back with your real numbers. We check the size, loads, and code for your site before anything is final.
Can I use the designers on my phone?
Both designers work best on a desktop or tablet. The 3D view and the side panels need room. On a phone, the red iron page has an Open full screen link.
READY TO SEE YOUR REAL NUMBERS?
Design it in 3D, then send it over. Or skip the designer and tell us what you need. Either way, a real person looks at your project and comes back with real pricing.