Hangar construction and design can be easy and affordable. While hangars are sometimes referred to as glorified garages, they are a valuable asset—allowing you to minimize your plane’s maintenance time in the hangar and maximize your flying time.
Considering you’ve made a sizeable investment in your airplane—for hobby or professional use—you’re probably also thinking about the advantages of owning an aircraft storage building. A hangar allows you to work comfortably in the middle of winter and can be designed for a range of uses.
If you’re thinking of building a hangar, read these four tips first.
1. DETERMINE HOW YOU WILL USE YOUR HANGAR
Your hangar will be used for airplane storage, but what other uses could your hangar serve? Hangars can vary from basic designs to complex. Consider including a workbench area where you can repair your aircraft in a comfortable, indoor environment. Many hangar owners have included mezzanines, maintenance areas, bathrooms and office space.
2. SIZE OF YOUR HANGAR
“I’ve never met a person who said they built too small,” says Al Williams, Integrity Post Structures partner. While you will develop your plans with your specific airport restrictions in mind, think big when planning your building. “It’s always easier to add square footage at the beginning of the project than at the end.”
Your aircraft hangar building can be engineered for many different airplane sizes. Consider the overall size of your plane or planes, what other equipment you may be storing in the hangar and additional functions your hangar may play.
Integrity Post Structures builds hangars with clearspans to 120’ to fit a wide range of planes.
3. CHOOSE YOUR DOORS CAREFULLY
A popular choice for the main door is our Diamond bi-fold door that measures up to 90’ that allow for easy entries and exits with your aircraft. The bi-fold door is also a popular option because:
• Mount above clear opening so full headroom is maintained
• Heavy-duty steel construction with triple truss design resists wind loads and prevents sagging
• Door operation isn’t affected by wind, snow or ice
• Simply and securely locks from inside of building to keep your equipment safe.
Hangar owner Doug Harvey installed a 48’ Diamond bi-fold door as well as two overhead doors and walk-in doors for ease of access. “I put in the overhead doors so I can park my vehicle inside and just depart with the aircraft,” said Harvey.
4. EXTEND THE LIFE OF YOUR BUILDING WITH PERMA-COLUMN CONCRETE POSTS
Do you want your hangar to last? Then consider the benefit of concrete posts. A new option for Canadians, the Perma-Column for post frame is only available from Integrity Post Structures in Canada. These five foot precast concrete columns come with a lifetime guarantee. They keep wood out of the ground, ensuring your building’s foundation will last. They are the first product to combine the economy of post frame construction with the durability of a concrete foundation.
Many pilots who own or plan to own an aircraft want a hangar to protect their valuable aircraft from the elements. If you’re looking for a strong, engineered and long-lasting hangar, and some help with planning and design, contact Integrity Post Structures.
“I had several quotes but I chose Integrity because I found that they had the whole aspects of building a building together,” said Harvey. “I’m really happy with the way it was put together. The crew worked together very well, didn’t have to talk to each other to know what to do. The building turned out great. The corners weren’t out a quarter of an inch when it came to the corners.”
