The Case for Green Steel Buildings

If you’re working hard to minimize your impact on the environment, putting up a new building can be challenging. The typical building uses a lot of natural resources – particularly non-renewable resources like wood. They also use a lot of energy in the construction process, and have a lasting impact on the environment when they go into the landfill at the end of their useful lives. Steel buildings, on the other hand, offer a number of important green benefits.

Ecological Construction and Materials

Metal buildings use resources, too, of course, but most steel  buildings erected today – particularly those used on the residential market – are made with recycled steel. That means they take no new natural resources from the earth. Instead, they divert waste from the landfills by reusing the materials.

In addition, today’s steel building uses far less material than a traditional building without sacrificing safety or quality. They require less energy to erect and stand for many more years before they need to be replaced. Because steel is less susceptible to rot and breakdown, metal buildings need fewer repairs and less maintenance. Those factors combine to make steel buildings easier on both your budget and the environment.

Energy Efficiency in Steel Buildings

Today’s steel buildings are designed for energy efficiency. They are engineered to resist the summer heat and retain the sun’s warmth in winter. Depending on the options you choose to finish metal garages, barns, storage buildings and other structures, they can be up to 80% more efficient than traditional buildings.

You can make them even more energy efficient by choosing energy-saving roof panels – or even solar panels – and insulation with high ratings. Add skylights to increase natural light and reduce the energy used for lighting, and you’re well on the way to a building that’s greener than nearly any other type of modern construction.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

As noted above, when your steel building no longer serves your purpose, it doesn’t have to go to the local landfill. You can simply disassemble it – or pay someone to do it for you – and someone else can put it up in their backyard or on their lot. If you can’t find a buyer, you can still be kinder to the earth by selling your building for scrap. If you do that, a company will come and haul your building away to a recycling center – and you save on the cost of demolition.

When you’re considering a new garage or storage building on your property, consider the many green benefits of steel buildings. Be kind to the earth – and reap the benefits of lower energy costs and more comfortable environment.