How Steel Buildings Can Help the Transition to a Greener Future in Canada
Steel buildings are just one step on the road to net-zero.
Buildings use a lot of energy. The truth is that buildings are the third-largest emitting sector in Canada after the oil and gas and transportation sectors, and account for 18 percent of Canada’s emissions according to Canada’s Green Buildings Strategy.
The buildings we interact with every day are impacting energy use—and a net-zero future—without most of us even realizing it.
While the solution to energy efficiency in the building sector is multifaceted, building materials are another important piece of the puzzle.
At a time when the need for low-carbon and recycled materials, including low-emission steel, is more important than ever, steel buildings can offer an affordable, resilient, and versatile solution for a greener future.
Steel buildings: a part of the solution
When it comes to energy efficiency, steel buildings can provide benefits that transcend the building material itself. This is thanks to their durability, adaptability, and recyclability—that’s a lot of abilities, and we’re only beginning to scratch the surface.
100% recyclable
Steel is a 100% recyclable material, meaning it can be recycled forever. This characteristic makes it among the most recycled materials in the world and is a huge environmental benefit.
Not only is steel infinitely recyclable, but recycled steel retains its original properties—i.e., maintains the same strength and quality—and can even be transformed into higher-grade steel products.
That means that steel components can be recovered and repurposed in new projects when the current use reaches the end of its life.
By being perpetually reusable, steel has the power to reduce the demand for new materials, minimizing waste and potentially reducing energy use from production.
MSC partners with Nucor Steel to provide recycled steel products for your project, ranging from 77 to almost 100 percent recycled steel. On top of using recycled steel materials, Nucor recycles https://nucor.com/sustainability of the dust from its electric arc furnaces.
Built to last—even in extreme weather
Part of reducing waste is investing in materials that last—particularly here in Canada, where extreme cold and heat are an ongoing concern for businesses.
Steel buildings are constructed from extremely durable commercial-grade steel, which has many specific characteristics to withstand the kinds of harsh weather we experience in this country, including:
- Strength-to-weight ratio: Commercial steel has one the strongest strength-to-weight ratios of any building material, allowing it to withstand high winds, heavy snow, and hail. In other words, your pre-engineered steel building should still stand after an unprecedented snowstorm thanks to its ability to withstand weight.
- Strongest when cold: The strength and ductility of steel actually peak when temperatures drop, unlike some other materials, which might become more brittle or snap.
- Ductility: The high ductility of steel makes it better able to bend under pressure, meaning it can withstand high amounts of pressure before collapse.
- Rust resistant: Pre-engineered steel buildings resist oxidation and corrosion, allowing them to perform better for longer in moist or variable environments.
Contributes to green certifications
When seeking green certifications, such as LEED-certified, or striving for sustainable building practices, associations look towards factors including waste reduction and recycled material content. Utilizing recycled steel is a simple and practical way to contribute to green certifications and practices in the construction phase.
Reduced energy use through efficient insulation
Steel has a very high R-value—the indication of how well it is able to insulate for both heat and cold. This insulating power makes pre-engineered steel buildings excellent for maintaining stable temperatures meaning they stay warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. This stability helps reduce the need for excessive heating and cooling which, in turn, reduces energy use.
On top of steel’s naturally insulating super powers, the addition of Insulated Metal Panels—the highest-end insulation technology for steel buildings on the market right now—allows the buildings to withstand the most extreme temperature fluctuations without relying on energy-consumptive methods of temperature regulation.
Steel is also very solid and non-porous, which makes it simple to construct buildings that won’t lose energy through gaps in the material. While the material is solid, it’s still light and versatile, making it easy to adapt to designs that utilize natural light and space to reduce energy usage.
An added bonus to steel’s temperature regulation is that it reduces condensation, helping to resist mold or other hazards related to moisture buildup.
Additional steel building benefits for your business
While lowering the environmental impact of your commercial or industrial steel building is an excellent reason to consider a pre-engineered steel building on its own, there are many more benefits to consider before taking the plunge.
Lower operational costs
Sometimes, it can feel like doing the right thing for the planet is also the more costly choice—that’s not the case with steel. Steel buildings help to lower the operational costs of your business through:
- Lower utility bills: More efficient insulation and greater design flexibility lead to lower energy use for heating, cooling, and lighting, resulting in a lower utility bill.
- Faster construction times: Pre-engineered steel buildings can be erected quickly which means you can get to work faster, reducing operational downtime.
- Low manufacturing costs: If you’re wondering “how a steel building can meet all the needs of your business but still not necessarily break the bank?” It’s the old “passing the savings on to you” technique. Part of the secret is how steel is affordable to manufacture, making it a more affordable building material for consumers to purchase.
- Minimal repairs and maintenance: Thanks to their durability and simplicity, pre-engineered steel buildings are simple to maintain and require minimal repairs. When repairs are required, they tend to be relatively simple to execute.
Versatility
Simple doesn’t mean boring. Pre-engineered steel buildings are versatile, meaning they can adapt to a wide range of applications—from aircraft hangers to your local fabric shop.
By creating a blank canvas for your business, pre-engineered steel buildings can allow for greater variety, easy seasonal transitions, or streamlined inventory changeovers.
Architectural features, stylized roofs, and custom colours only add to the possibilities, offering versatility without sacrificing aesthetics. Check out more creative uses for pre-engineered steel buildings.
Temperature regulation
For agricultural businesses or those in the food and beverage sector, metal buildings can have the added feature of temperature-control. Atmosphere controlled metal buildings give farmers and industrial agriculture businesses the ability to:
- Reduce food waste
- Extend the life of crops
- Lower risk for your food business
On the road to green
The path to lowering building emissions is a long one, but with the help of future-proof, affordable building materials like steel, hopefully, we can get there a little quicker—without sacrificing the needs or profitability of your business.
If you’re curious about a pre-engineered steel building solution for your business, get in touch. We’re happy to chat through your options.
Metal Structure Concepts has been designing and constructing steel buildings across Western 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.