It’s no secret that the green trend sweeping the country has influenced most industries, including the construction industry. And while going green can often mean higher costs and sacrifices in other areas, prefabricated steel buildings have managed to give people what they want while saving money and resources. Here are some of the advantages of prefabricated steel buildings.
How pre-engineered steel building systems have evolved over time
While the classic barn may have had its time in the spotlight, we’re now seeing a return to prefabricated steel building systems as a way to construct green buildings that save money and contribute positively to our environment. While any steel building system offers benefits for the modern-day consumer, when it comes to saving energy and reducing CO2 emissions—the main benefit of using green building materials—the pre-engineered method really shines through. From maximizing natural light inside the structure to promoting energy efficiency and cooling capabilities on the exterior, these structures offer a lot of value for their owners without sacrificing looks or comfort. Although each design has unique characteristics that make it unique from others in its class, all pre-engineered steel building systems can be classified into three types panelized, portal frame, and truss-and-panel. Each type is made up of different components, which vary in size depending on the size of the structure being built. The components themselves are then shipped to the site where they are assembled by a team of professionals with the help of cranes and other heavy machinery. Prefabricated steel buildings take less time to build than most other structures because you don’t need workers at every level; instead you just need one crane operator who moves the sections around until everything is put together correctly.
The environmental benefits of prefabricated building
Prefabricated buildings require fewer energy resources to construct because the majority of the building is manufactured off-site. Prefabrication allows a building to be constructed quickly and requires less use of land (both on-site and off-site) than other construction methods, which limits tree destruction and makes for easier clean up post-construction. It’s true that prefab buildings tend to have lower air quality (prefab vs green wood frame), but the manufacturing process does allow for prefabs to have recycled content up to 85%. While it may take time for materials like glass and rubber roofing to decompose after being disposed of, it’s better than most alternatives on the market today. The use of non-toxic materials in the manufacturing process means that even if a prefab structure ends up in the landfill someday, its environmental impact will be minimal. The biggest environmental benefit of prefabricated buildings is the fact that they can often be built in one location and then transported to another site—meaning transportation costs are reduced and there’s no need for a second trip through an assembly line. Overall, the main benefits of using pre-manufactured structures include:
• Energy savings – Due to the shorter assembly line cycle times, pre-manufactured products offer higher energy efficiency when compared with traditional processes.
A look at some future trends in green building
One growing trend that is likely to have an impact on the future of green building is prefabrication and modularization of buildings. Essentially, these terms refer to the idea that different elements of a structure can be built in a factory instead of on-site by a construction crew. This method minimizes noise and other disturbances during building construction while allowing builders to use less energy and waste fewer materials in the process. The end result is structures that boast better efficiency ratings as well as more consistent levels of quality control compared with conventional building practices (some studies show up to 90 percent savings). While prefabrication isn’t new by any means, it’s still something you don’t see all that often despite its promise for both investors and environmental advocates alike.