How Nature Can Affect Metal Building Prices for Commercial Projects
Local annual snowfall is just one example of how nature can affect metal building prices.
There are many factors that affect metal building prices. One of the primary things that can affect the cost of pre-engineered steel buildings is beyond our control: weather and other natural events.
In Canada, your geographical location can influence the cost of a metal commercial building. On top of that, there are also other considerations such as:
- Local building codes
- Size and style of commercial building
- Intended purpose of building
Each area of the country has its own unique weather systems, and can also be affected by other naturally occurring events like earthquakes. Here are a few examples of how metal building prices are affected by Mother Nature:
Wind Load
Different cities experience different weather patterns, and wind is no exception. For example, Lethbridge, Alta. gets more strong gusts of wind than any other city in Western Canada. And Calgary—famous for its Chinooks—is the windiest large city in the country.
As such, building codes in a city like Lethbridge will require steel building designs to withstand higher wind loads than other centres. The increase in building strength would likely result in higher costs for your commercial project.
Snow Loads
Similarly, different parts of Canada receive different amounts of snowfall. If you were planning on erecting a pre-engineered metal building in a mountain community like Revelstoke (i.e. one that receives a significant annual snowfall), as opposed to a coastal community like Chilliwack, you would need a building rated to handle a higher square footage of snow.
Seismic Ratings
Although earthquakes happen all across Canada, some regions have a higher probability of experiencing them than others. This is another consideration that needs to be incorporated into your commercial building project and is another factor that can affect metal building prices.
In Western Canada in particular, there are a number of areas that have a high probability of experiencing potentially strong earthquakes:
- Vancouver Island
- Lower Mainland
- Haida Gwaii
- Parts of the Yukon coast and interior
The National Building Code of Canada takes these earthquake probabilities into considerations to require steel buildings to be as earthquake resistant as possible.
Global Weather Events
It might seem strange to think that a major weather event somewhere else in the world could affect local metal building prices, but it can. After all, steel is a global commodity and is therefore susceptible to fluctuations in supply and demand.
Let’s say a catastrophic event —such as a tsunami, earthquake or tornado—hits a major city, destroying vast amounts of infrastructure. The subsequent rebuilding process could result in an increase in the demand for building materials such as steel and wood, which would lead to higher global market prices.
If you’re considering a commercial building project, read our post: Why Pre-Engineered Buildings Work for Commercial Businesses of All Sizes.
Metal Structure Concepts offers competitive metal building prices, along with complete design-and-erect services. Call us to discuss your next project.