It is easy to understand why those in the metal building systems industry believe their time has come. With the two major concerns in the world today being the economy and the environment, metal building systems are an obvious choice for many construction projects, and nowhere is that more true than for religious facilities and Christian schools. Statistics seem to underscore this as the trend toward metal building systems show an increase.

Steel buildings, or metal building systems, can be built more quickly than most other types of construction – and at a sizeable cost savings. Plus, steel buildings are extremely durable and, at the same time, offer environmental features that other types of construction cannot. This holds true for athletic facilities as well as classrooms, auditoriums, and other buildings.

And, while these two factors are of prime importance to building committees or boards, a third – appearance – is another crucial aspect that weighs heavily in the final decision for most construction projects. An attractive facility, well sited and handsomely landscaped, can be inspirational to students and give them a sense of pride in their school, as well as contributing to a community’s respect and receptiveness for their neighbor.

Fortunately, metal buildings no longer are the square steel boxes of the past. Today’s metal building systems can offer schools and religious facilities a physical appearance as glorious as any being built. A tour of the projects that have been done during the last decade will erase any doubt from the mind of even the most skeptical and demanding critic.

Today’s metal buildings are no longer limited in their capacity to adapt to various wall materials, including architectural metal, glass, brick, block, stone, or wood.  The industry now can fully support an architect’s need for form as well as function.

Steel system construction uses pre-engineered materials – basically the frame, roof and wall systems that are made to exact specifications – so there are no leftovers. With other types of construction, the building components are cut, fitted, and assembled on-site, so there is always the matter of wasted wood, steel, and concrete. With today’s environmental concerns, waste has become a crucial issue.

In addition to eliminating a large percentage of waste, there are additional environmental advantages in using steel building systems. Steel buildings can provide a thermally efficient envelope.  Even when the project has outlived its usefulness and must come down, there is the factor of recyclability of steel.

With today’s advanced insulation technology for metal structures, efficiency can be achieved with a combination of modern insulation systems and cool paint offerings.

It should also be pointed out that steel is a highly recycled material. Typically, 25 to 50 percent of the steel content in a metal building is taken from post-consumer waste. Steel is non-flammable and completely non-toxic; therefore, it does not have negative impact on indoor air quality.

Metal can be finished or coated to reflect the infrared heat from the sun, which is an advantage both externally and internally. Using reflective coatings, steel roofs and exterior walls can reduce the impact from the heat that would increase cooling loads in the building and also increase the local heat island effect.

On the inside, exposed steel can be used to reflect incoming sunlight and assist with day-lighting a building, allowing facilities to use less electric energy for artificial lighting.

Aside from the environmental benefits, steel systems take less time to build.  In some cases, using a steel system rather than another, more time-intensive alternative can mean a large cost savings simply by eliminating the number of man-hours required to build the structure. Another economic advantage of metal buildings is the durability of steel. A metal roof and steel frame usually translate into a long life for the structure.

Additionally, today’s advanced computer programs allow architects to see structural plans and review clearances and frame locations prior to final production to ensure best location and interior layout.

When one considers the environmental, economic, and aesthetic advantages that metal building systems offer, one can understand why those in the metal systems industry feel they have the best answer when construction needs arise.

For more information about steel building systems, visit the Varco Pruden Buildings Web site at www.vp.com.