Aluminum & Steel Guard Booths: The Difference
Not many customers realize that Shelters Direct offers two distinct material options for our pre-fabricated buildings, often referred to as guard booths. These booths are fundamentally different from shelters; they are permanent, fully enclosed structures equipped with functioning doors and anchored to a concrete pad. The two materials used for guard booths are carbon steel and aluminum. Understanding the differences between these materials can help you determine which is best suited for your facility.
Although we supply and install more steel guard booths than aluminum, we also have experience with aluminum buildings. In some instances, project specifications will require a specific material, making it important to understand the unique properties of each. Below, we outline the differences between steel and aluminum guard booths.
Environmental Factors, Corrosion, and Location
Steel buildings are heavier than aluminum ones, but that doesn’t mean they are immune to corrosion. If your facility is located right on the ocean, we highly recommend choosing an aluminum building, as the salty air can significantly shorten the lifespan of a steel structure. While steel generally lasts longer than aluminum in most locations, coastal environments present a unique challenge.
Purpose
Shelters Direct provides guard booths for various purposes, including parking attendant stations, access control points, toll booths, and gas station kiosks. The intended use of your guard booth can influence which material you should select. For example, if you need a booth to be bullet-resistant, steel is necessary, as aluminum cannot support the extra weight of bullet-resistant glass and steel plating. Similarly, if the booth will be used at a fueling station, steel is the safer choice because aluminum is combustible. If you need help deciding which material is best for your application, our Shelters Team is here to assist you.
Travel, Materials, and Price
Shelters Direct can ship our buildings anywhere in the United States, so it’s essential to consider travel factors, manufacturing methods, and their impact on your costs. Our steel buildings are always welded, while only one type of our aluminum guard booths is welded. We offer two types of aluminum booths: mechanically fastened and welded tubular aluminum. However, the mechanically fastened option may not be ideal for long-distance travel, as it can be at risk during shipment. Conversely, welded aluminum structures tend to be more expensive. Generally, we recommend steel if the guard booth will be traveling a long distance.
Shelters Direct’s Promise
We understand that the differences between aluminum and steel buildings can be confusing, especially if you lack specific requirements for your facility. Rest assured, the Shelters Direct team is here to guide you through the entire process to ensure you receive the best possible structure. We have been a leader in the guard booth industry since 1993, providing and installing guard booths nationwide. One of the standout features of our booths, whether aluminum or steel, is that they are always insulated. This is not a common feature for most aluminum guard booths, and few manufacturers offer insulated aluminum buildings as standard. Regardless of the material, our promise is that your employees will be comfortable in a Shelters Direct guard booth. Please reach out to us if you have any questions.