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.
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.
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.