Trends and Challenges for the Metal Building Industry
A Paul Mitchell • June 24, 2025
Commercial and industrial construction has been forever changed by the fabrication and use of pre-engineered building systems. They have become the pre-eminent engineering approach due to their cost-effectiveness, speed of construction and versatility. However, like any construction method, they come with their own set of trends and challenges.
Various players in a successful building project (manufacturers, architects, engineers, superintendents, skilled trades people, etc.) all play a crucial role in addressing these issues to guarantee the successful execution and completion of pre-engineered metal building systems. Recognizing the challenges early is important to ensuring potential problems can be addressed and corrected ahead of time.
The team at Double Black Construction
decided to identify industry trends and a few of the current challenges the industry at large experiences and will work on together to solve. It’s our goal to help improve the quality of the buildings we install on behalf of manufacturers, architects and engineers.
Trends in Pre-Engineered Metal Buildings:
- Customization: While the term “pre-engineered” might suggest a one-size-fits-all approach, buildings being designed to suit the individual needs of the client has become increasingly important. Clients often demand unique models that cater to their specific location, operational layout or aesthetic choice. Every building needs to stand out. Fortunately, the engineering used in steel building systems is very flexible for creating customized components that fit together into something more architecturally elaborate (unless a square warehousing building is what they want).
- Advanced Technology: The use of advanced technologies like Building Information Modeling (BIM) and 3D modeling is on the rise in design and construction. We rely on digital tools more and more at Double Black Construction. We collaborate with engineering firms and manufacturers to leverage these technologies in creating accurate and efficient designs.
- Sustainability: We can no longer ignore the growing importance towards sustainable construction practices demanded by clients. Pre-engineered metal buildings are no exception. Most clients are looking for energy-efficient and eco-friendly building solutions. Fortunately, metal buildings are an ideal platform for helping to implement sustainable materials and practices that produce a lower carbon footprint and make buildings more cost-efficient and cleaner to operate.
Challenges for Pre-Engineered Metal Building Installation:
- Design Complexity: Despite being pre-engineered, steel structures can still be complex in terms of design and construction, even when compared to other building materials. Digital modelling helps, but engineers and construction teams must continue to ensure that the design is both structurally sound and precisely installed to meet all local building codes. Part of this requires ongoing industry education and hiring superintendents and leaders who remain up to date with their manufacturing partner specifications.
- Site-Specific Considerations: Building location conditions, such as soil quality, weight and seismic loads, climate and local regulations, can vary significantly from one area to another. These factors must be considered throughout each pre-engineered metal building project – from the very start when creating an estimate through design and project planning and into construction to ensure their suitability, stability and longevity.
- Quality Control: Maintaining consistent quality throughout the manufacturing and construction process is essential. Strong partnerships between manufacturers, engineering firms and trade crews play a huge role in assuring quality control and ensuring work meets design specifications. Close adherence and supervision of processes, completion of detailed punch lists and constant inspection on-site when work is happening ensures construction is being done to exact specifications as outlined by the building plan. Being proactive in creating quality results prevents costly corrections and repairs later.
How Double Black Construction Works with Manufacturers and Engineering Firms to Help:
- Design Expertise: Our leadership and trade teams have the technical expertise to complete structurally sound and efficient pre-engineered building projects. We can help customize component design to meet project requirements and ensure compliance with local codes.
- Project Management: We provide full turnkey management services, overseeing the entire construction process from design to completion. This includes coordinating with contractors, fabricators and other stakeholders to ensure a smooth workflow. We welcome you to view a few of our successful past construction projects.
- Quality Assurance: Double Black Construction implements quality control measures to ensure that the materials used in the construction of each steel building project meet industry standards and that the final structure is precisely constructed, safe and durable.
- Cost Optimization: Our extensive experience with a wide variety of metal building systems helps optimize design to minimize material wastage and construction costs while maintaining quality and installation accuracy.
- Sustainability Solutions: We can work with fabricators and engineering partners to incorporate sustainable design principles into metal building projects, such as inclusion of energy-efficient HVAC systems and renewable energy integrations (including solar panels).
Go with a Dedicated Installation Provider Who Stays Ahead of Challenges
Pre-engineered metal buildings offer numerous advantages in construction, but they also come with their unique set of challenges. Installers like us, along with our long-standing manufacturing and engineering partners, play a critical role in addressing these challenges by providing expertise in design, project management and quality control, ultimately ensuring the successful execution of metal building system projects.
When it’s time for a reliable and industry-proven installation partner who can handle all aspect of pre-engineered steel building projects – from site excavation and foundation work, to framing and installation of wall and roof systems – give the team at Double Black Construction a call. Let us put our decades of exclusive building construction talent to use. We install metal buildings – that’s all we do.
About the author:
A. Paul Mitchell
is Head of Research and Business Innovation for Double Black Construction and is an award-winning professional with over 30-years experience in marketing and business strategy. His previous cross-industry experience has helped develop an extensive breadth of skills, including writing, graphic and web design, media relations and operations. Paul holds Executive Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Bachelor of Arts degrees as well as professional certificates in Leadership and Business Analysis from Western University. He also completed Centennial College’s post-graduate marketing and business management program. He lives in London, Ontario with his family.
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