Energy Star Windows and Doors Make Steel Buildings Even Greener

Today’s steel buildings offer many options for windows, doors and trim to help you customize your build. If you’re putting up a new storage shed, garage, office or other steel building project, the right doors and windows can add a lot more than just good looks. Even though steel buildings are already among the most energy efficient structures being built today, your door and window choices can increase the energy efficiency even further.

A lot of energy goes right out the window or the front door. Tight-fitting windows and doors made of the most energy-efficient materials available can save you hundreds of dollars are year on your energy costs – and reduce your carbon footprint by cutting down on the energy you use. When you shop for window and door options for your steel building, be sure to check their Energy Star rating and choose the highest-rated options you can afford. Don’t forget that you’ll often recoup the higher cost of greener windows and doors in energy savings, sometimes in as little as a few months or a year.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, you can save 7 to 15 percent on your energy costs by choosing Energy Star doors, windows and skylights. The savings can be as high as $500 a year in New England, just on heating costs. If you’re in Florida, the savings might be slightly smaller – in the neighborhood of $300 a year. Those savings can go a long way toward making the higher initial expense of energy efficient windows more palatable.

Skylights in your steel buildings are another way to reduce your energy costs. A skylight can help capture the heat from the sun during the winter or provide additional ventilation in the summer. In addition, a skylight reduces your need for artificial lighting, and introduces healthy full-spectrum light into your environment. This is especially important if you’ll be using a steel building as a workshop or home office.

Steel buildings are a great environmental choice for many reasons. They’re made of recycled materials, and can be recycled when you’re ready to upgrade. Their weather-tight construction reduces your energy costs and helps keep your building more comfortable. When you choose Energy Star windows and doors for your steel buildings, you increase the benefit to the environment by reducing your energy use even further. That does great things for the environment, and keeps more money in your pocket at the same time.