Specific designs have proven to be more efficient than others in science and technology. The field of airplane hangars is no exception; different air plane hangar designs and constructions provide the perfect atmosphere for the planes they contain.

While this is true, there are exceptions to every rule. Here are the different types of hangar designs and constructions.

Massive Airplane Hangars

The global aircraft market size is expected to grow by 1.12 billion US$ in 2024, progressing at a CAGR of 3%.

Massive air plane hangars are found in airport terminals. They are built to accommodate planes of the size and weight of jumbo jets. They usually feature two or more doors, each with a width of at least 39 feet (12 meters).

These air plane hangars are commonly used to store private jets owned by billionaires, heads of state, and other important figures.

General Purpose or Commercial Airplane Hangars

The commercial air plane hangar is a massive, all-purpose airplane structure built to accommodate any aircraft. These types of hangars are found in airports and military bases across the world.

In most cases, they’re rented out by local airport authorities to handle overflow from commercial airline companies. General-purpose hangars usually have two large doors, each with a width of 39 feet (12 meters). These are large enough to allow heavy transport trucks in.

Airport Support Airplane Hangars

Airport support airplane hangars provide the necessary resources for local airport authorities to maintain their planes and machines. They are found inside main airport terminals, usually on the tarmac outside.

Military Hangars

Military hangars are generally built like small forts – they’re usually heavily fortified and camouflaged to evade enemy detection. These types of airplane hangars can be found in high-security military installations worldwide.

Military hangars come with walls made of bombproof materials, usually steel.

Portable Airplane Hangars

Portable hangars are designed to be efficient and easily transportable. They are generally towed by heavy trucks or built on the back of large trailers. Some portable airplane hangars can even be built into vehicles like cargo ships, trains, and semi-trailers.

These structures are somewhat similar to prefabricated hangars, but they’re built with materials that can be easily transported. They usually feature two or more movable doors, each large enough to allow the passage of most types of aircraft.

Prefabricated airplane hangars are factory-built structures that are fully equipped and furnished. They are built from various materials and can’t be easily transported over long distances, which means they need to be constructed in or near their final location.

They feature heavy walls made from steel and other metal claddings that protect the planes against external damage. The roofs usually feature a shock-resistant surface, and the floors are specially designed to support heavyweights.

Prefabricated airplane hangars can be built with or without internal columns. They usually feature both single and double doors, each with a width of at least 16 feet (5 meters). The doors can also include crane assemblies that lift planes into position.

They are usually cheaper and faster to build than site-built structures. The hangars can be moved from one location to another. However, their lack of internal columns makes them unsuitable for large planes.

Open Hangars

Open airplane hangars are a structure that provides the perfect environment for aircraft. They are usually built in locations that get cold or excessively hot, like Siberia and the Sahara Desert.

Open airplane hangars feature steel-framed exteriors with large, moveable doors. They can be roofed to protect weather elements from entering the structure. These airplane hangars also benefit from tow assemblies and external column-free space.

Final Thoughts

Here are the top airplane hangars you can choose for commercial usage. They are crucial structures for various industries. They keep aircraft protected from the elements and generally ensure they remain in their best possible condition.