Community and Industry Growth: The Benefits of Using Metal Buildings in Alberta
This custom commercial steel building for Gas Compression Equipment Source in Okotoks, Alberta doubles as a warehouse and office building.
Alberta is booming. In 2023, the population saw its largest surge in the province’s history, with over 200,000 new people calling Alberta home. That historic boost could mean a boon for some industries and, at the same time, an increased need for resources within communities.
Metal buildings have the versatility, cost-effectiveness, and durability to be a key solution for many of the province’s infrastructure needs and support for regional sectors, including top industries like mining, quarrying, oil and gas, and agriculture. So, what are the ways the pre-engineered steel buildings are a benefit for Alberta?
Hi, My Name is Alberta…
First, let’s get a better understanding of the characteristics of Alberta. The province is ecologically diverse and includes some of Canada’s most breathtaking scenery in the Rocky Mountains, including turquoise lakes and jaw-dropping peaks, the country’s first National Park (Banff), and stretches of Badlands that will have you scared of running into a T-Rex.
Temperatures can be warm in the summer and downright frigid in the winter (record lows have been recorded close to -50 Celsius), but one characteristic remains consistent almost all year round—Alberta is dry. You can tell when you’ve landed in Alberta because you’ll need a lip chap immediately!
A very important detail about Alberta’s geography is that it stretches north, where you’ll find many remote communities like Grande Prairie, Fort McMurray, or Peace River. These rural communities are largely intertwined with the resource extraction industry.
How can metal buildings benefit Alberta?
Metal buildings host a ton of benefits for a wide range of uses, including their affordability, durability, and versatility—that’s a lot of abilities! If you want to learn more about the benefits of metal buildings generally, check out this blog. In this article, we will focus on how those benefits are specific to Alberta's unique challenges and opportunities.
Quick access to community resources
An increase in population means more community resources. When spaces need to be built quickly and affordably, pre-engineered steel buildings are one of the simplest solutions.
Community uses could mean buildings like:
- Treatment centres
- Libraries
- Recreation centres
- Multi-purpose buildings
- Bottle depot/waste centres
Resistant to extreme weather
In 2023, Alberta wildfires burned over two million hectares—10 times as much area as the five-year average, according to data from the Government of Alberta.
With extreme weather events like fires, cold temperatures, and floods becoming more common in Canada, investing in weather-resistant materials is more important than ever. A wood barn may look quaint, but it won’t last long when disaster strikes.
Fire resistance
Pre-engineered steel buildings are tough. While no material is completely fireproof, steel itself is such a tough material that it can help to slow wildfire damage. Studies and reports, like this one from the Natural Hazards Center, have shown that steel is often still standing after a fire as well.
That’s because steel is non-combustible and fire-resistant. That doesn’t mean fireproof of course, but the American Institute of Steel Construction explains that structural steel can retain 60% of its ambient temperature yield strength at 1,000 °F (or over 500 degrees celsius). Fire resistant finishes and coatings can also boost the fire resistance of steel.
Ductility
Steel is a highly ductile material, meaning it can withstand a high level of deformity before breaking. This matters if high winds or earthquakes strike, as steel balances its ductility with strength very well—fun fact: gold and silver are among the most malleable metals in the world. While a gold barn sounds nice, it also sounds pricey without steel's added strength and versatility.
Temperature regulation
When extreme high or extreme low temperatures happen, pre-engineered steel buildings can maintain a stable temperature thanks to their insulating power.
This is particularly true when using insulated metal panels, or IMPs. This technology is one of our favourites at MSC for buildings in Northern Canada. IMPs are a type of light foam core insulation not made from compressed materials like less sophisticated technology while maintaining a superior “R-value” or thermal resistance.
Stable temperatures also help prevent condensation and moisture buildup.
Remote communities
Building in remote areas can be a challenge for many reasons, including the cost of obtaining and transporting materials and the labour of constructing in a distant location.
Generally, the number of rural communities in Alberta far outweighs the number of urban ones.
Northern Alberta is home to at least 18 regional municipalities, which represent a number of cities, towns, and villages.
The benefits of steel buildings in remote locations
MSC has mastered the art of building in remote locations with projects in Anzac, Alberta; White Horse, Yukon Territory; and Iqaluit, Nunavut. More than experts in the logistics and strategies required when building far, we love the challenge. It’s also rewarding to bring the benefits of steel buildings to remote communities, helping them to thrive. Some of the things that make pre-engineered steel buildings a great choice for remote communities include:
The speed with which they can be erected: steel buildings, especially when working with a seasoned structural steel building company, are able to be put up quickly.
Resistance to extreme weather: The extreme weather considerations we’ve outlined are more likely to be experienced in remote communities, particularly extreme cold.
Versatile for multiple uses: Since metal buildings are like a blank canvas, the uses for a community are almost endless.
Low maintenance: Steel buildings require minimal upkeep and maintenance, making them ideal for locations where access is a challenge.
How pre-engineered metal buildings support Alberta industries
As Alberta grows, so might its industries, and steel buildings already play an important role in the sectors that support Alberta’s economy.
Beyond oil and gas, Alberta’s economy is spurred on by mining, quarrying, and agriculture, among others.
Steel buildings are excellent for storage, truck and equipment shops, or more specialized uses like this custom oil and gas screener building for Wayfinder Corporation in Glenevis, AB. Some industry-specific uses include:
- Industrial mining buildings
- Agricultural steel buildings
- Oil and gas steel building applications
- Food storage metal buildings
- Atmosphere-controlled metal structure buildings
Highest farm operating revenues in Canada: Alberta
One area of particular interest for the province is agriculture. In 2022, Alberta had the highest farm operating revenues in Canada, generating $22.2 billion, with oilseed and grains making up the largest share of that number.
Atmosphere-controlled metal buildings
We’ve written about the booming agriculture industry in the prairie provinces before, and more and more, we’re seeing the need for atmosphere-controlled metal buildings in the farming industry.
Once that grain has been harvested, it needs to be stored somewhere, and the conditions of that storage go a long way in protecting a farm’s bottom line.
Temperature-regulated metal buildings are key to storing and preserving harvested crops to minimize waste and maximize yield.
Food storage metal buildings for sustainability
Take, for example, our friends at Farming Karma in Kelowna, BC. The orchardists are committed to sustainability, and that includes minimizing waste as much as possible in their operations.
They have been working with MSC to expand and update their facilities to reach their sustainability goals as a company. Climate-controlled metal warehouses play a key role in our building project with the farm as it allows our clients to not only keep packing and storage needs in-house rather than outsourcing, but also to keep more fruit from waste.
This is thanks to food storage metal buildings having the ability to reduce spoilage and prolong the life of a harvest.
Supporting Alberta’s future
MSC is committed to Alberta’s growth, so much so that we expanded our operations in Alberta and Saskatchewan last year. We’re excited to continue supporting the province by meeting with local businesses and helping to make their dreams a reality.
Metal Structure Concepts has been designing and constructing steel buildings across Canada for over 20 years. From retail spaces to warehouses to wineries and more, we are the experts for your next project. Contact us today for a free quote.