Aerial view of Custom Quonset hut home and attached quonest garage

Why Recycled-Steel Buildings Are Stronger & More Eco-Friendly

SteelMaster Buildings is proud to offer environmentally friendly buildings. These eco-friendly structures are designed to reduce the negative impact of construction on the natural environment by efficiently using energy, water, and other resources, protecting occupant health, and reducing waste, pollution, and environmental degradation.

Steel Quonset Hut Environmental Impact Vs. Traditional Buildings

Steel is arguably the best material to recycle because it’s easy to separate from other metals. Unlike other recycled materials, steel doesn’t lose any strength or functionality when it’s remelted and recycled.

Wood, brick and steel all have an environmental impact. When comparing these three types of building materials it’s important to look at both the initial environmental cost as well as what it means in the long term.

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Eco-Friendly Quonset hut Wood Building Brick Building
100% Recyclable Yes No No
Relocatable/reusable Yes Maybe No
Easy-to-expand Yes No No
No waste construction Yes No No
Additional materials No Roofing Roofing
S model quonset hut with custom endwall of brick with windows with sunflowers in front

Nearly 70 percent of all steel is recycled in the United States, which in turn, saves 75 percent of the overall energy used in the production of raw materials. This high rate of recycling with no degradation of the final product and the energy savings in the recycling process makes steel buildings an ecologically conscious choice.

On top of being recyclable, Quonset huts are also easy to relocate and expand. So instead of having to waste resources to purchase a second or third building, you can just move the building or add to it.

top view of a quonset building with solar panels
Two quonset huts connected with dark clouds over top
a model quonset building, metal front wall, white garage door, white front door

LEED Certification & Sustainable Building Practices

Whether you’re looking to build a green home or sustainable retail establishment, turn to SteelMaster’s building specialists to help you create an eco-friendly structure that’s as attractive as can be LEED certified. On staff at SteelMaster, we have LEED building specialists who can work with you to design a building that minimizes any environmental impact.

All SteelMaster buildings, whether they are specifically engineered to be green, eco-friendly buildings or not, are made of at least 80 percent recycled steel and are covered in Galvalume Plus coating, which is Energy Star rated and reduces energy consumption by reflecting heat. This keeps your building cool in the summer and warm in the winter.

Interior of q model quonset hut with skylights and custom wood endwall
Q model arch over Austin Animal center
A model quonset hut with steel endwall and white doors

How To Design An Environmentally Friendly Steel Building

There are also many options for adding onto and customizing an environmentally friendly steel building in order to maximize its sustainability. These include:

  • Take advantage of renewable resources such as use of sunlight by installing large windows and using solar-powered energy sources.
  • Utilize high-efficiency windows and insulation to reduce energy use and increase efficiency of the building envelope (the barrier between conditioned and unconditioned space).
  • Orient windows, walls, awnings and porches in a way that provides more natural light, maximizing solar gain and thereby lessening the need for electric light during the day.
  • Install on-site renewable energy sources such as solar power, wind power, hydropower or biomass to significantly reduce the environmental impact of the building and maximizing your eco-friendly building potential.