The New Face of Metal Building
Article by Maria Weidich | Photos by Nathan Satran
When you think of metal buildings, you might picture utilitarian sheds or warehouse shells. While functional, they may be far from beautiful.
Fortify Building Solutions, now with locations in Billings and Belgrade, is rewriting that story. With a growing presence in Montana and beyond, the brand is proving that steel structures can be both efficient and eye-catching.
METAL'S MOMENT
Call it steel or call it metal. “Just don’t call it tin,” laughs Justin O’Daniel, who leads Fortify’s sales team in Billings.
If it feels like metal buildings are everywhere lately, that’s no accident, Justin said. “Metal is on the up and up right now, and I think the trend of metal is higher than ever because of the price of lumber.”
“Everyone thinks steel is expensive,” he adds. “It’s heavy, and it’s easy to assume it’s expensive, too. But that’s not the case.” Not only is steel often competitively priced, but it also offers long-term value. Wooden structures eventually rot, warp, or weather out. Steel, says Justin, is “a forever-building.”
Durability is also key in our region’s extreme climate. “All our steel panels are UV protected,” Justin notes, “which helps with the dramatic climate change, keeping it cool in the summer and insulated in the winter.” That longevity means less maintenance, less aging, and confidence that the building will withstand years of wind, snow, and sun.
CUSTOM & QUICK
Offering a full suite of building materials and expertise, Fortify Building Solutions is a resource for everything from backyard shops to bardominimums. In addition to metal buildings, their portfolio includes roofing systems, wall panels, trim, pole barns, Hypersteel cold-formed buildings, and pre-engineered steel structures. Not only can they do it all, but they also do it fast.
Speed and convenience set Fortify apart. With over 36 colors to choose from, the metal coils are available on large 3,000-foot rolls, each weighing several tons. The steel is then cut and roll-formed into panels, offering a same-day pick up for selected materials.
For Justin, the company’s biggest strength is accessibility. “We are a one-stop shop for customers, where they can get all their metal building supplies in one place, instead of shopping for separate components,” he explains. Whether you’re a contractor outfitting large-scale projects or a homeowner tackling your first shop build, the benefit is the same: you don’t have to compare suppliers or settle for mismatched products. “Steel is our bread and butter, but we do offer the whole nine yards,” Justin adds.
A PROJECT THAT POPS
One of Fortify’s standout projects is a newly erected airplane hangar at Purdy Ranch in Buffalo, Wyoming. The team provided every inch of corrugated steel for the airplane hangar, inside and out, including roofing on the neighboring home.
“This place is amazing,” Justin says. Housing an airplane, a helicopter, and a couple of collector cars, the large hangar showcases both scale and style. “We used roughly 15,000 lineal feet of material, which equates to around 30,000 pounds of metal roofing and siding.”
The design is as impressive as the engineering. With colors like midnight bronze and ash grey, it’s a pallet that elevates the structure beyond function. “The color scheme really makes it pop,” Justin adds. “Like, wow, metal can look good!”
Montanans have always valued longevity and practicality, but today they’re also embracing bold design. Fortify’s work bridges all three: function, endurance, and beauty. From simple workshops to standout projects, the Billings Fortify team is ready to help you get your build off the ground.
Fortify Building Solutions is preparing for its next chapter. By summer 2026, the two Montana locations will transition to the Mueller name. Mueller is a 90+-year-old steel building manufacturer and supplier with deep Texas roots, known for manufacturing quality materials and supporting builders and homeowners alike. While the name will change, Montana customers can expect the same local teams, trusted expertise, and commitment to service.
BENEFITS OF BUILDING WITH STEEL
1. Long-Term Durability
Steel doesn’t rot, warp, or attract pests, making it a “forever-building”. It withstands Montana’s wind, snow, and seasonal extremes.
2. Climate-Ready Performance
UV-protected steel panels help buildings stay cool in summer and insulated through winter, reducing wear and enhancing comfort.
3. Design Flexibility
With dozens of colors and textures to choose from, steel structures can be modern, rustic or polished, proving metal doesn’t have to look industrial.
4. Cost-Effective Over Time
Many assume steel is expensive, but that’s not entirely true. It requires less maintenance and lasts longer than lumber, delivering value year after year.
5. Faster Build Time
Pre-engineered systems, streamlined sourcing, and single-supplier solutions mean fewer delays and easier project completion.
6. Sustainable & Recyclable
Steel is one of the most recycled materials on earth, an appealing benefit for eco-conscious builders.