From simple structures to modern and sophisticated designs, steel commercial buildings have come a long way. Now, you can easily find buildings entirely made up of metal, from its frame and legs to sidewall and roof panels. And the reason is also pretty simple. They are cost effective and easy to build.
Some properly certified steel structures can withstand high wind speed and tolerate heavy snow loads and seismic activities, too. Not only that, but they are extremely flexible, easy to repurpose, and widely used for commercial and industrial applications.
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Evolution Of Commercial Metal Buildings
The oldest structures made using steel are probably railroads and bridges. That’s because they are robust, durable, last long, and maintain their structural shape with time. Next thing you know, they started using steel to build large-scale skyscrapers and for industrial development.
With the beginning of the industrial age in Europe, Britain, and America, the demand for durable structures began to rise. Steel was the top choice as it could easily compete with traditional buildings and offered more versatility than what businesses previously had.
Early Uses
Post World War II, the West started to see a rapid industrial development surge. To meet all the requirements, enter the commercial metal buildings. They do not need any complex beam, frame, and column designs, especially when constructed on a larger scale. Additionally, they are quite resilient to external environmental conditions.
Innovations
Metal structures have come a long way, from Quonset for the military to the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France. Nowadays, metal buildings can be designed with features to look so stunning that you won’t be able to tell it is the same boring metal building. From the inclusion of false flooring, such as a mezzanine, to faux external façade, metal buildings can be designed in any way you want.
Advancements: Architectural & Contemporary
From traditional architectural design to modern days’ contemporary look, various architects and engineers have used commercial metal buildings to make their historic icons. For instance, the Wall Disney Concert Hall, designed by Frank Gehry, is a steel structure that includes some elements of deconstructivist architecture yet has an elegant design.
Today, metal buildings can be found in residential homes, from garages, carports, and even living quarters to commercial sectors such as factory outlets, office space, and manufacturing units.
Advantages Of Steel Commercial Buildings
Fast Construction
Metal buildings can be designed, cut, and drilled in the factory. This reduces the construction timeline compared to any traditional structures. The components are called prefabricated (PEMBs) and can be easily assembled by crew on the site. Since the assembling process is fast, your building is ready within weeks for use. A business can start generating revenue early.
Long Lasting
Metal is an inorganic material and does not absorb water content. In striking contrast, wood is organic, subject to rotting and decay, and absorbs some amount of water content. That’s why steel commercial buildings are preferred by many businesses these days. After all, repairing and replacing panels will cost more in the long run.
High Endurance
When it comes to durability and robustness, nothing comes close to steel. With little upkeep, they will last for decades without asking for a touch of paint. Another solid reason why people like investing in metal structures as their commercial buildings.
Low Maintenance
Steel buildings only need cleaning once or twice a year. A pressure washer with some mild detergent is enough to clean it. In case there is any stain, a soft bristle brush can be used to scrap it off. They do not attract termite colonies and pests. So, one doesn’t have to call for a pest inspection or a control team very often.
This is especially beneficial when a steel building is used as a storage unit to keep perishable goods such as packaged foods or medicines.
Energy Saving
Nowadays, you can find affordable yet efficient insulation for metal buildings. Effective insulation can help regular indoor temperature and reduce the heating & cooling cost. With certifications from LEED, one can gain tax credits for having an energy-efficient building. You can install natural sources of lighting to reduce dependency on energy bills.
You can install reflective paint on the roof to further minimize the pressure on the HAVC system. Did you know the roof alone is responsible for 25% of the heat loss?
Sustainable Buildings
Steel buildings are eco-friendly structures. They can be recycled any number of times without losing their property. Some might argue that steel production uses a lot of water. But that is only half of the story. More than 90% of the water used in steel production is returned back to the source cleaner.
Design Flexibility & Versatility
Do you want a taller building for your business? Or are you in need of a wide but column free structure? Whatever the design you need, steel is all here for you. You can design column free structures as wide as 300 ft. and as high as 40 ft. For instance, you can take a look at Boeing Everett Plant in Washington.
You can even design your own commercial steel structure with 3D designing tools & visualize it on your lot. But what about the versatility part? Steel buildings have multiple applications, as mentioned below:
Agribusiness:
- Metal barn
- Crop & grain storage unit
- Livestock shelter
- Parking agricultural vehicles
- Hay & feed storage
Business:
- Cold storage
- Factory outlet
- Manufacturing unit
- Retail store
- Automobile repair & service center
- Aviation industry –hanger, aircraft repair area
- IT industry – offices, data centers
- Manufacturing facility
- Warehouses
- Commercial renting storage units
Overall
In conclusion, we can say steel commercial buildings have come a long way. Now that they have started making their way into residential units, they are becoming even more increasingly popular. Metal structures can meet and exceed any business and industrial requirements. They offer optimal functionality and aesthetics with a simple and continuous structural design. You can use it to align your metal commercial building with your business’s plan.