Benefits of Steel Buildings

Accounting for half of the steel use in the world, steel is one of the most versatile and important materials in construction. While respected for its strength and use in a wide variety of applications, steel provides advantages other materials, such as wood and brick, can’t replicate. Some uses, like support beams, plumbing and electrical work, are hidden away from sight. Applications, like siding, framing and roofing, create the attractive and modern visible designs that make modern architecture so appealing. The combination of aesthetic allure and functional strength is the main reason many builders rely on metal for their industrial buildings – and why you should as well.

• Lower costs save you money – Steel engineering means industrial buildings can be built efficiently, to maximize design while saving on higher expenditures required by traditional wood and brick construction. Metal structures save you 30% of the cost of materials and are built quickly to generate savings on the cost of labor. Our construction experts can work with any project plan and any budget to create the most cost-efficient fit to suit your needs.

• Creative design architecture – Steel’s strength and versatility allows innovative engineering and design techniques to achieve your optimal design. While most industrial buildings are conservative in design, they don’t need to be. Steel’s high strength-to-weight ratio means modern design can incorporate more glass and modern architectural features. Try that with wood or brick. And steel’s engineering provides versatility that can be so essential to fitting into an existing site. It can cantilever over an existing building with columns piercing through the roof system and placed to avoid existing equipment. Building designs also feature a partial mezzanine system to support mechanical equipment and can be engineered for a five-tonne crane system. Double Black Construction’s design and engineering team works directly with you to ensure we bring your design vision to reality.

• Quicker construction time – Getting your new building operational is critical. The sooner your building is occupied and in use, the sooner you’ll see a return on your investment. We appreciate that our time is your money. Metal buildings use pre-engineered panels that are custom made ahead of time in one of our four fabrication facilities. Our engineering solutions are then delivered directly. Once on site, they don’t require any cutting, welding or hole punching. Your building can be built to meet the needs of your site, regardless of how remote or how confined the space. It will be constructed quickly with little disruption to your current operations and can be erected between existing buildings.

• Longer lifespan – Once built, your metal structure lasts for life and requires minimal maintenance. Compared to other building materials, permanent steel buildings are unaffected by weather, water, oil spills, climate and high internal temperatures from manufacturing. It will be strong enough to protect your most valuable assets – machinery, inventory and people. And your organization won’t outgrow your steel building. When it’s time to expand your operations, the flexible steel engineering means additional modular units can be added quickly and inexpensively. You won’t be locked into any existing concrete construction. It’s one way you can address future needs without compromising current operations.

• Energy efficiency – Saving on energy costs is a major concern for companies. By using energy-efficient insulated wall panels, you can cut energy bills by up to 50%. Insulation naturally regulates temperature during extreme conditions, so your building won’t need costly heaters or air conditioning systems. Steel’s architectural strengths allow more glass to let in natural sunlight meaning less lighting during the day to save on further energy bills.

• Ease of pest control – For companies dealing with agricultural products, be it harvest yields, commercial food or cannabis, one of the biggest challenges for companies is pest control. Steel provides an edge when dealing with inspects and vermin by not using organic materials, such as wood, that are susceptible to infestation, rot and decay. Metal engineering provides tight protective seals that prevents intrusion by burrowing insect and mammal invaders, keeping your inventory safe and pristine, ready for sale.

• Friendlier to the environment – Your commercial structure contributes to making the earth’s resources more sustainable. Approximately a quarter of all steel used in construction is created using recycled steel and all its components are endlessly recyclable. Your building may last a lifetime, but it’s nice knowing that it was built using less material without any excess going into landfill or causing harm to the ecosystem. And with building operations being less reliant on climate control systems, it produces much less CO2 emissions – a major contributor to global warming.

John Lohan has over 15 years of experience designing, engineering and installing over 500 metal buildings for architects and clients across North America and the globe. He’s managed all aspects of steel building construction, including material logistics and managing local and foreign construction teams. John also has special expertise in concrete foundation and excavation. He can be contacted at Double Black Construction at (833) 322-2722, by email at john@DoubleBlackConstruction.com or on LinkedIn.