How energy efficient are custom steel buildings?
From a small 60×40 auto repair shop , to a large industrial complex , to a metal building home , a custom steel building can be an energy-efficient construction choice. With proper construction and insulation, the heat transfer and temperature fluctuations that can plague steel structures can be avoided.
Factors that can affect energy efficiency of custom steel buildings
While a custom steel building can be a highly energy-efficient choice, this is dependent on several factors. These factors include:
- Insulation — Proper insulation is crucial to help reduce the transfer of heat through the steel framework and walls. This means less heat will escape your structure during the winter and less cool air will escape during the summer. Insulation materials can significantly improve energy efficiency of custom steel buildings due to the lessened need of your heating and cooling system.
- Durability — A custom steel building is a smart long-term investment due to its durable nature. In comparison to other traditional construction materials, metal is more resistant to the elements and natural disasters. The durable nature of steel also contributes to low maintenance costs over the life span of the building. It also plays into the reduction of raw materials needed during construction or expansion to existing facilities.
- Sustainability — Structural steel is made of up to 93% recycled materials and is 100% recyclable itself. This allows scrap material to be repurposed without losing its integrity. The process of recycling steel is also an energy-efficient process.
- Roofing — Choosing to construct with steel is an energy-efficient choice. Also choosing to construct your structure’s roof from metal makes it an even more energy-efficient choice. A metal roof alone can allow you to see up to a 25% reduction in your cooling costs. The recyclability nature of metal roof panels keeps 20 billion pounds out of the U.S. landfills each year.
- Design — The design and layout of your custom steel building can help increase the energy efficiency. If you choose a layout that maximizes the natural light and ventilation based on solar orientation, you can reduce your need for artificial lighting and heating and cooling usage. This can be accomplished with windows and skylights for lighting and an excellent ventilation system. If artificial lighting is needed, choosing to go for energy-efficient lighting solutions can help minimize your electricity consumption.
Other benefits of choosing to construct a custom steel building
In addition to the energy efficiency benefits of a custom steel building, there are a number of other benefits. Whether it’s a residential home, commercial facility, industrial structure or agricultural building, the benefits of a custom steel construction are numerous, including:
- Design flexibility — The design of a steel building helps the energy efficiency, but it can also allow for a more open layout to meet a variety of needs. Steel has a better strength-to-weight ratio than other construction materials.
- Construction speed — Steel is a lighter-weight construction material than other traditional materials. This allows for a quicker construction time. However, not all construction crews are equipped to handle steel constructions. Choosing a qualified construction crew is crucial to ensure proper installation.
- Durability and longevity — Durability and longevity play a part in energy efficiency and other construction benefits. Steel is highly durable in nature and is resistant to a number of environmental factors. These factors include corrosion, pests and fire. This durability allows for a low-maintenance, long life span for your building.
- Cost effectiveness — As a lightweight and renewable material, this helps keep steel cost effective in production and construction.
- Ease of expansion or adaptability — Custom steel buildings can be expanded as needs grow. Their flexible designs also allow for adjustments to easily be met as needs change.
- Versatility — Custom steel buildings can be used in a variety of industries and purposes. From residential to commercial, the uses for a steel building are seemingly endless.
The myriad of benefits from energy efficiency to versatility, choosing to construct a custom steel building can meet many needs. The energy efficiency of a steel building is unparalleled and can pave the way for a more eco-friendly construction future.
National Steel Buildings can help you achieve your energy efficiency goals
National Steel Buildings has a commitment to providing top-quality steel building products. By integrating our insulation with your custom steel building, you can have an energy-efficient structure that is environmentally responsible and functional. Opting for energy efficiency, you can choose a more sustainable future for our planet. Our team of experts are knowledgeable from the production to construction process. We can help you design and construct a custom steel building that can meet your needs.
We are a certifiedVarco Pruden Builder, which means we have been through a very strict and rigorous approval process. Varco Pruden is the second-largest metal building manufacturer in the U.S. With this seal of approval from Varco Pruden, you can be assured that we only provide our clients with top-tier products.
Contact our team today for more information about our steel building options and pricing.