How to Tell If You Have a Butler Manufacturing Building

In the realm of pre-engineered metal buildings, few names stand out as prominently as Butler Manufacturing. Known for their durable and efficient designs, Butler Buildings have been employed in various sectors ranging from agricultural and commercial to industrial. If you are wondering whether your metal building is a Butler building, this article is for you.

1. Search for Labels or Plaques

Manufacturers often leave their mark—quite literally. Butler is no exception and this is the first place to look. On most Butler buildings, you should be able to spot painted labels, plaques, or stamps that point to the manufacturer's identity. These markers often find their place near the building's main entrance, on primary beams, or within internal structures

“We put [the Butler plaque] on the gable trim at the ridge on an endwall. Now sometimes buildings are “single” slope and are not good candidates for a symmetrical place to put a logo…we still find a place to sneak them in so that 50 years from now if someone has to work on it, they know what brand it is.” - Kurt Krasick, Partner, MAR Building Solutions and ButlerMFGParts.com

If you find the Butler name or insignia, it's almost certain you have a Butler Building. Here are some examples of Butler Logos through the years to help you identify your building

2. Recognizable Metal Panels

Butler Manufacturing is renowned for its specific types of metal wall and roof panels. Holding over 50 patents, including the industry’s first weathertight standing-seam roof, the discernable features of these systems can be a tell that you have a Butler building. Let’s break the panels down into two generations:

Early Generation Butler Buildings 1940s-1960s

Butler used their Butler BRI panel until 1959 after which the Butlerib panel was introduced. Both the BRI and Buterlib were single-skin screwdown panels that used a screw and nut to attach to the wall and roof since self-drilling screws were not yet popularized. The BRI had a distinctive galvanized finish as shown

Butler panels of this era (all discontinued):

BRI
M-36
F103 - Referred to as a sandwich panel, this is one of the first foam-insulated metal panels on the market

Modern Generation Buildings - Post 1969 (most likely what you have)

Butler Plaque on Building.jpg
In 1969, Butler introduced two standing seam metal roof systems: Butler MR-24 and Butlerib II. These innovative systems remain the gold standard in metal buildings today and are most commonly what you’ll find, so let’s home in on them:

MR-24:

A hallmark feature of many Butler Buildings is the MR-24 roof system, the industry’s first and finest standing seam roof which conceals the fasteners with a weather-tight seal. These will have a somewhat smooth and minimalist look compared to Butlerib II panels. These roofs are made from 24-gauge Galvalume® coated steel, known for its superior resistance to corrosion, and outlasting traditional galvanized steel. The MR-24 uses a 360-degree Pittsburgh double-lock seam on the MR-24, the same seam found on the rim of soda cans

Butlerlib II:

Butlerib II is commonly what you’ll find on Butler Buildings, as this paneling is used for both a roof and wall systems. The Butlerib II ribbed profile is unique in that at a full 1 and 1/2” it has the deepest ribs on the market, giving it its distinct appearance and added structural strength. Other distinctive features of the Butlerib II panel include visible Butler Lock-Rivet Fasteners on the panels and the variety of color variations these are available in.

Butler Panels in current production:

MR-24

Butlerib II

Thermall

eStyleWall

Shadowall

3. Distinctive Features

Every manufacturer, over time, develops unique architectural elements that become synonymous with their brand. In the case of Butler, certain types of framing, structural elements, and design features could serve as telltale signs.

Structure:

Butler’s structural systems offer distinctive and clear-span structural support which can create large open spaces without the need for interior columns.

Lighting Solutions:

Butler has integrated daylighting solutions like the SunLite Strip® daylighting system which can be installed into MR-24 roof systems for natural light. Introduced in 2012, this leak-free skylight is so effective that it can reduce lighting costs by up to 70%.

Long-Lasting Color:

Another way you might distinguish a Butler building is by color, as Butler’s panels are available in a large range of colors. Butler uses their unique paint, Butler-Cote, to achieve color that far outlasts the industry stand. Butler offers a 25 year warranty that this paint will not chalk or fade beyond Butler’s strict parameters. All that to say, if you come across a Butler building with Butler-Cote, it’s mostly likely still looking great.

Still not sure?

Reach out and let us help. As the go-to source for genuine Butler building parts, we’ll be able to assist and supply replacement parts for it if it is.