Construction stakeholders of every kind—building owners, architects, designers, contractors and installers—recognize the myriad of benefits that come from a metal building. For this reason, nearly 50% of one- and two-story non-residential buildings in the United States are comprised of metal building systems.
The advantages of metal buildings and IMPs
A pre-engineered metal building with insulated metal panels. (Photos courtesy of Nucor Buildings Group)
Metal buildings are versatile by nature, allowing for a fully custom, yet prefabricated solution. This provides for a seamless, time-efficient construction process, which can help achieve cost savings. And when compared to a structure made of wood, a metal building can withstand years of use and exposure to the elements without sacrificing integrity.
Metal buildings can also help project teams meet sustainability requirements by incorporating green building practices and materials, such as insulated metal panels (IMPs). Additionally, a typical metal building is made of about 70% recycled steel, and that material can be recycled at the end of its life.
Architects can achieve their design vision and make a bold statement with metal buildings. Today’s systems come with a wide variety of options: from material to texture, to colors and finishes.
The IMP Advantage
As cladding for the building’s exterior, IMPs are an optimal solution for structures with a wide variety of uses such as health care, education, industrial and commercial. The panels deliver an all-in-one, pre-engineered air, water and vapor barrier with excellent thermal properties. In addition, buildings utilizing metal panels for exterior walls endure longer than structures made of other materials and require less maintenance. Metal provides natural resistance to damage from fire or exposure to extremely high temperatures.
With IMPs, the system is made to individual specification but works together with standardized connections and products. IMP systems are designed to create seamless, time-efficient installation, saving an average of 20% on installation time compared to other metal solutions.
The Sustainability Argument
According to the EPA, people spend nearly 90% of their lives in buildings leading to a growing awareness of what goes into the products that build our world. In line with that awareness is the need for those materials to be sustainably made and supportive of energy consumption goals.
When it comes to energy performance over the long haul, the specialized IMP wall system delivers the highest insulation value of any cladding material available. They meet tighter energy codes without the need for additional insulation or increased wall thickness.
Additionally, the all-on-one product offers faster installation, less construction waste, reduced maintenance, and recyclability at the end of its life, all improving performance and benefitting LEED credit opportunities. When looking at building envelope performance, one thing is clear: metal building systems when used in combination with IMPs offer a more sustainable choice for construction.
Freedom to Design
Beyond construction and performance benefits, the contemporary IMP offers unlimited design freedom. With a broad palette of colors, vertical and horizontal applications, textures, perforations, and the option to create curved or straight walls, architects have freedom to design unique, modern structures ranging from retail stores and restaurants to warehouses and manufacturing plants.
To aid in performance and aesthetics, trimless ends and preformed corners on IMPs eliminate the need for metal flashings, saving material and time. Also, offset tongue-and-groove systems enable panels to slide into each other for an easy installation and a seamless transition from panel to panel with a concealed system.
As architects, installers and building owners see the options available to them by utilizing metal building construction with IMPs, they more readily incorporate the solution into their projects.
Aesthetics and Performance
With so many options available in today’s construction landscape, choosing the best building system can be a daunting task, particularly as project teams seek to meet the ever-increasing demands for energy performance and aesthetic appeal. Metal building systems, when used in conjunction with IMPs, provide a multitude of options that serve the key criteria for a successful project—a solution that drives sustainability and energy savings, and one that allows designers to bring their vision to life.
Marci Ball is a marketing specialist for Nucor Buildings Group, Waterloo, Ind. To learn more, visit www.nucorbuildingsystems.com. Priscilla Vitela is a marketing brand manager for Metl-Span, Lewisville, Texas. To learn more, visit www.metlspan.com.
