The pre-engineered metal building system is a building enclosure system that always includes a structural system and often includes roof and wall cladding. The structural system consists of rigid frames that are fabricated from plate steel and “cold formed” through a manufacturing process. These rigid frames consist of roof beams and columns that are field bolted together.

The pre-engineered metal building system is advantageous because it very economically allows for the creation of large column-free enclosures. The alternative structural framing choices, such as mill steel and light gauge metal, use more steel and are therefore considerably more expensive to build. The best applications for the pre-engineered metal building system include industrial applications such as complex industrial facilities, warehouses and distribution centers. The system is also used in retail stores, shopping centers, motels, auto dealerships, office complexes, airplane hangars, sports and entertainment arenas as well as schools, libraries, churches, medical facilities and government buildings.