A type of prefabricated steel building, the Quonset hut was developed by the military during World War II. The place where they originated, Quonset Point, has been immortalized in their name. Just as in the past, they are constructed with corrugated steel. No professional assembly is required to install the huts, and they are light weight and inexpensive.
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. Ever since, the huts have become widespread. A few simple design changes have been implemented, like straight walls providing more storage volume, steel replacing the old plywood fronts and backs, and colors other than grey. Quonset hut roofs are still rounded, however, allowing for the same easy maintenance as the original.No worries about cleaning off or repair the roof!
Where are Quonset huts most commonly used? Quonset huts are found on farms, businesses, and in other places. 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. For those with small businesses, the huts make great shops with much less overhead than traditional construction. 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. Perhaps most interestingly, though hardly surprising, some individuals have taken Quonset huts one step further and actually lived in them. This phenomenon is modern as well as historical. 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. More Steel aircraft hangars . Steel building .