Metal Buildings: 4 Reasons Why Your Project Should Be Built with Metal
Metal buildings have come a long way since your garden variety metal shed.
When one thinks of metal buildings from the past, you might conjure up that image of the lowly backyard garden shed. You know the one – that flimsy, cheap model you bought from some hardware store years ago that you had to assemble yourself.
Well, do yourself a favour and put that image clear out of your mind. Even metal garden sheds have come a long way thanks to the way pre-engineered metal buildings are now manufactured. Today, the build quality and the coatings used on metal are better than ever and metal is continually gaining steam as a top-choice building material for a variety of projects such as retail stores, auto dealerships, warehouses, office complexes, arenas, storage buildings and much more.
Here’s why:
1. Metal is affordable
Like any construction project, metal building prices are determined on the size and structure of the building, as well as whether it will be set on an existing or new foundation, if it will be insulated or not, and what kind of “extras” will be added. What you will save on is the cost of metal itself, as well as the time and labour it takes to erect prefab metal buildings. Metal components are cheaper to replace and it if you need more space down the road, pre-engineered buildings are easier and less expensive to retrofit and expand.
Other factors to consider when building with metal are:
- Greater design flexibility
- Faster occupancy
- Low maintenance costs
2. Metal is strong
If you’re looking at the scientific reason why metal is strong, it’s basically up to its chemical makeup. A non-molecular material, metal is made from positive ions in a sea of electrons, which causes it to tightly bond. Widely used because of its physical properties, metal has a high melting point and is good for conducting heat as well as electricity. The iron and carbon that make up metallic steel are also malleable, which makes it perfect for construction.
3. Metal is durable
Have you ever seen an airport hangar built out of wood? There’s a reason why metal is a popular choice for commercial and industrial construction. It is a hearty material, capable of withstanding extreme heat and cold, high winds, pests such as termites, and other severe weather and environmental damage. With the addition of paint and coatings that are resistant to rot, rust, abrasion, and corrosion, metal buildings have a longer life-cycle and can last decades without major maintenance.
4. Metal is sustainable
Made from some of the strongest natural elements in the earth’s crust, metal may not technically be a renewable resource, but that doesn’t mean it’s not sustainable. That’s because metal can be recycled and it still retains its value after its first use. When metal is recycled, it still has its strength and durability, without losing quality. Recycled metal is often used in the pre-engineered metal building trade to manufacture the components. And because it takes less material to build with metal, it causes less construction waste, making it a win-win for the environment.
What About Concrete?
Steel and concrete are two buildings materials that work together as well as on their own for a variety of commercial and industrial applications. We examine their symbiotic relationship and the differences between concrete buildings and pre-engineered steel buildings so that you can make the right choice for your project.
The Difference Between Concrete and Steel Building Frame Construction
While reinforced and poured concrete is typically used in the framing of a cement building, pre-engineered metal buildings are factory-built, with the steel beams, columns, panels, and parts shipped and then bolted together on the building site.
Need another reason to build with metal? Read our blog: 3 Reasons Prefab Metal Buildings are the Trend For Growing Your Business.
Metal Structure Concepts is a respected leader in structural and pre engineered steel and metal building design and construction around Western Canada. Our company’s projects have included commercial, industrial, retail, storage, agricultural, community and multi-purpose buildings that have come in on time and within budget.