Ultimate Tips to Go Green with Your Next Metal Building Project

Climate change is becoming a serious issue, and we have to make some efforts to save the environment and support the idea of “Go Green.” The construction industry is one of the culprits for the adverse impacts on the environment. However, construction is part of the development, and we can’t restrict it. Although we can find some sustainable building options to support ‘Mother Nature’ and the results of this quest are steel buildings.

Steel is the most recycled metal around the globe, which reduces the carbon emission in the steel processing units. Moreover, steel doesn’t lose its qualities in the recycling process and provides the best reliable features.

Pre-engineered steel buildings have overcome the limitations of traditional structures and are better than any other alternatives. So, your decision to get a steel building is right and green. You’ll get the best feature building, which will give you the top quality services while saving the environment. However, there are some ways you can more support sustainability with your new steel building.

Let’s know the most effective tips to go green with your new steel structure.

1. Choose Appropriate Location

An environment-friendly steel structure starts with a property that maintains the sun and shade exposure balance, provides protection from wind and harsh environments, and utility availability. While choosing a property location, you must exclude the flood zones, hurricane-prone coastal areas, wetlands, protected wildlife habitats, etc.

If you want to boost your construction project’s greenness, then choose the area near public transportation, bike trails, and community resources to reduce the driving requirements.

Furthermore, you can also consider the Greyfield or a site where a building stood previously. This way, you can deter the deforestation or raze of greenfield sites. Moreover, you can reuse the existing foundation if it’s up to the mark. So, choose the right property location to fulfill your responsibility for environmental health.

2. Employ Cool Roof Technology

Your building’s roof has the most sun exposure, which increases the temperature and need of the temperature control units. You can consider a cool roof to minimize this issue. Cool roof’s white panels reflect the sun rays away from the structure and have special pigmented paint to re-emit the absorbed heat.

The cool roofs are made of steel panels, on which you can install the solar power system to produce electricity for your shed.

3. Erect Your Building in the Right Orientation

Your building’s heating and cooling needs depend on the sun & shade exposure balance, and the direction your building faces. You can consider the east-west orientation of your structure to get the maximum seasonal sun exposure and cross ventilation.

Your building should be placed in such a way that it gets sunlight in the winter and shade in summer. If you are going to have a rectangular building, it should face north or south to control the amount of sun exposure throughout the day.

Northern exposure offers more comfort in predominantly hot regions. On the other hand, southern exposure can reduce heating requirements in colder climates.

4.  Get an Insulated Steel Building

Heat flows from higher temperature to lower temperature till the temperature difference becomes zero. Now, if your building is cool and it’s hot outside, or your building is hot, but it’s chilling outside, then there will be heat transfer, which will increase the use of AC or heater.

Insulated steel buildings prevent the heat exchange from the outside environment, reducing the energy consumption due to AC and heater.

You should consider the use of spray-foam insulation to better insulate or seal the area with piped and wires.

5. Design Your Interior Layout Correctly

Your interior of the building is a significant component of energy conservation. As with orienting the structure according to the sun’s path and the amount of solar radiation you wish to have, the interior layout should also be suitable to capture or eliminate heat as needed.

You should keep the living areas in the north and south to reduce the amount of light and heat during the day. At the same time, your non-living areas can be on the east and west sides of the structure.

You can also design the areas according to the time of the use, like locate areas on the west side that you use in the morning, while rooms used in the afternoon can be placed on the east, for better energy conservation and comfort.

Moreover, you can plant the trees around the structure to invigorate the shade and windbreak.

6. Set Proper Heating, Air Conditioning, and Ventilation

Air ventilation is necessary for maintaining the air quality inside the structure. If you consider proper design ideas, then you can have natural ventilation.

The air circulation evaporates the moisture and reduces the chance of corrosion and mold. You can also reduce the load on the heating and air conditioning units if you have smooth ventilation.

Moreover, the attic fans increase the airflow and offer a means of cross ventilation, reducing the need for air conditioning.

Furthermore, zoned heating and air conditioning allow you to regulate the temperature of specific areas instead of the entire building. It’s true that the zoned system costs a bit more upfront, but pays for itself over time in lower utility bills. So, you must consider the effective design and AC & heater system for better ventilation.

7. Invigorate Natural Lightening

You should consider the careful placement of windows to enhance natural lighting without increasing heat exchange. Moreover, employ Low-E window coating to reduce the radiant heat transfer and act in concert with the insulation to cut-off the energy consumption.

For a night or additional lighting, you can install LED or CFL bulbs for your efficient lighting fixtures. LEDs emit less heat and consume less electricity than traditional bulbs, which is desirable. Furthermore, LEDs have a long life, requiring the purchase of fewer bulbs competitively.

8. Employ Overhangs and Awnings

You can control the temperature by limiting the sun’s rays. An overhang or awning above windows facing the sun reduces sun exposure and energy consumption for air conditioning. The retractable awnings are available that can be rolled up or self-stored during extreme weather.

Hence, install the overhangs and awnings to control the indoor temperature in a time of no air conditioning or electricity.

9. Go Up Instead of Wide

You can easily control the interior temperature economically if sun exposure is small. Additionally, you can minimize the roofing and foundation materials, while maximizing natural light and cross-ventilation.

So, if you are planning any expansion, try considering a floor system instead of widening it.

10. No VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) Products

There are some paints, wood finishes, flooring, carpets, and other finishing products with volatile compounds, which emphasize a slightly toxic environment inside. So, you should get low or no-volatile organic compounds to deter indoor air pollution and support a comfortable space.

These are the ultimate tips to go green with your new metal building. You must always obey these tips to support sustainability without compromising with your structural and comfort requirements.

However, you’ll need the best quality metal building to fulfill your responsibilities towards the environment.

Viking Steel Structures understand your needs and provide a wide range of best quality steel structures. We also offer a 20-year rust-through warranty, 10-year panel warranty, and 1-year panel warranty. Moreover, you’ll get free delivery and installation on all metal buildings. So, go green with our best steel buildings.

For placing orders or any support, talk to our building experts at 877-801-3263.