Building “green” includes everything from the material(s) used in the building along with the transportation costs associated with shipping those materials to the project site. The pre-engineered steel building industry has made it a top priority to meet all construction requirements with great emphasis on sustainability providing a more efficient process to successfully complete any building project in an environmentally-friendly way.

Building Green – What Does it Mean?

Building “green” means utilizing sustainable architecture and is a process within the construction industry that minimizes the impact that steel and other types of buildings and building practices have on the environment. This is largely seen through precise planning and responsible material usage. “Green” construction processes can minimize pollutants and reduce material waste.

What Makes up Sustainable Architecture?

There are five important facets that are included in the definition of sustainable architecture.

• The site design must be sustainable. The ultimate goal is to complete construction that does not impair or alter the landscape but actually repairs, enhances or restores the site.
• Water and water efficiency must be safeguarded. Freshwater is at a premium as 97% of the earth’s water is too salty or is locked up in ice.
• Attention needs to be paid to energy efficiency and renewable energy. This includes building design that maximizes conservation applications for available energy and may encourage geothermal, solar, wind, or hydropower as primary or supplemental energy sources.
• All materials and resources used must be planned for in a conservative manner. This includes reducing the environmental impact of extraction, shipping, fabrication, installation, use, recycling, and disposal of all materials at a construction site.
• There must be an emphasis on providing optimum environmental quality for the interior of the building. This includes maximizing the quality of the air by minimizing overcrowding, off-gassing, inefficient ventilation, smoke, and outside pollutants.

The Benefits of Steel Construction

Steel construction can, and does, meet the criterion for “green” building applications. It is looked to as a proven material that meets the qualifications that creates sustainable architecture. Steel is a 100% recyclable material. The use of steel in construction can reduce energy costs and consumption, minimize maintenance processes, and greatly reduce the amount of waste material produced.

Pre-Engineered Steel Building Manufacturers and Suppliers

Many steel building companies today are not only committed to improving architectural sustainability through the utilization of steel but also through a design and systems approach to the construction process. Domestically, most all steel building components are made from recycled scrap metal. Fewer construction materials are being used in the design of steel structures and ,consequently, this greatly reduces raw material use. All-steel construction processes allow for 100% re-use of all building structurals. Building finishes comply with EPA regulations by reducing Volatile Organic Compounds (toxins) in the paint. The energy efficiency of a steel building can reach up to R-40 or more if this is required. Fluoropolymer finishes are available for steel roofs to make them “cool”. This reflective material guards against high relative temperatures especially in urban areas. Steel buildings require less transportation costs. Many manufacturers and suppliers have a number offactories nationwide reducing shipping costs to the project site. Finally, most steel buildings have substantial structural warranties that increase the lifetime serviceability of the building.

A well planned and professionally designed pre-engineered steel building can be the ultimate solution for consumers, owners, and investors who want to build “green.’

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