Beat the Heat: How to Keep Your Metal Building Cool in Summer
Overhangs and awnings over windows and doors are some of the ways to keep your metal building cool in summer.
When we think of metal, we often think of a material that conducts heat. However, you can prevent heat from permeating your metal building in many ways. Solutions include installing cool metal roofs, insulation, reflective coatings, window and door treatments, and ventilation to allow for better airflow. Here we look at just some of the ways you can keep pre-engineered steel buildings cool for summer.
Bar the Hot Tin Roof
The best way to keep cool in summer is to start at the top. A cool metal roof system is the norm for commercial steel buildings located in hotter climates. These roofs include a metallic-coated steel sheet made from sustainable, energy-efficient, and recycled roofing products. Cool metal roofs, which come as flat, single-slope or gabled, are reflective and can be easily insulated and vented. Best of all, they will save you money on energy bills, as they reportedly reduce cooling costs by as much as 20 percent from standard roofing.
Create a Heat Barrier
Insulation is key to keeping metal buildings warm in winter and cool in summer. Where temperatures tend to fluctuate, it's essential to upgrade the insulation in your roof and walls to an R-Value rating suggested by the energy efficiency codes in your region.
Apply a Cool Coating
As dark colours tend to attract the sun, it helps to apply lighter and reflective paint colours and coatings to pre-engineered building parts. Include exterior walls panels, cladding, and roofs into your consideration.
Treat Windows and Doors
As doors and windows tend to welcome in the heat, you can prevent the sun from penetrating the inside of your building by creating shade and installing other cooling options such as:
- Overhangs
- Awnings
- Canopies
- Window fans
- Reflective windowpane glass
Think Ventilation
Proper ventilation is the key to keeping the atmosphere inside your building at a tolerable level in summer. Think about installing:
- Powered fans on ceilings and walls
- Roof-mounted gravity vents or wind-powered turbine vents
- Wall louvres, shutters and dampers
- Air filters
- Dehumidifiers
- HVAC systems
Metal Structure Concepts is the leading designer, supplier, and installer of pre-engineered steel buildings in Western Canada. Our buildings are built to last and can withstand all manner of terrain and climate. See why we are the best choice when building in remote locations.