Quonset Huts for All
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by: fredthompson
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A type of prefabricated steel building, the Quonset hut was developed by the military during World War II. They are named for Quonset Point, Rhode Island, where they were originally manufactured. Then, as now, they were built using corrugated steel. The huts were light weight, economical, and needed no skilled labor to be assembled.
Today, Quonset huts have found their way into the private sector. After World War II, the military sold off its excess Quonset huts to the public, costing one thousand per hut. Since then, the huts have become common place. The design has changed some over the years, such as the introduction of walls that are shaped to stand at a ninety degree angel to allow for optimal storage space, steel fronts and backs instead of the original plywood, and a variety of colors. Quonset hut roofs are still rounded, however, allowing for the same easy maintenance as the original.Quonset hut owners will never need to worry about roof cleaning or repair!
Who uses Quonset huts? They are the practical and cost effective solution for many businesses, farms, and more. Their popularity is due to their simple arch construction. Because of this, all the Quonset hut needs is a roof and two walls. This also makes the huts cheaper, since fewer parts are needed. Putting them together is a snap, too. Although some companies will build them on site, individuals can easily assemble them, too.
What are some uses of Quonset huts? They make great storage for boats, RVs, tractors, and trucks. These huts also make excellent shops for small businesses who dont want the high overhead of a more traditional building. Shops for hobbies such as pottery or ceramics, furniture reupholstery, car repair, photography, and more can also be housed in them. Quonset huts are as well a no brainer for agriculture and can be seen on farms across America. One curiousity of the Quonset hut are those individuals who have made the huts into residential housing. This is a historical as well as modern phenomenon. A model for domestic use, created by the Great Lakes Steel Corporation that took over Quonset hut manufacture in 1943, was introduced in 1946, featuring windows on the arch and a little bit of white picket fencing. Today, some adventurous types have found inventive new ways to live greener by using Quonset huts as "shells" for underground homes that remarkably need little energy to heat or cool.
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Get more on prefabricated steel buildings, link to PowerBiltBuildings.com.
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