When it comes to constructing a building, there are a lot of factors that go into completing the project. From design layout to aesthetics, energy efficiency, eco-friendliness, and more, many different factors need to be considered during the construction of a building.
One of the most important factors is what kind of material you use as the predominant choice. Metal, though not as common anymore, is still one of the best types of building materials you could use for a variety of reasons.
In fact, metal provides distinct advantages over other materials in a number of key areas. So, in case you’re looking to construct a building, let’s take a look at why metal would make a great choice.
1. Longevity
Metal is known to be one of the longest-lasting building construction types in existence. Though wood is the most common building material, it typically lasts around 30 years or so. Metal, on the other hand, will usually last anywhere from 50 to 100 years.
This drastic difference between wood and metal building life expectancy means that you can expect a metal building to last an entire generation. This eliminates the need for the contingency plan you’d have to have in place with a wooden building when it inevitably ages out.
2. Safety
Safety is a key concern when constructing a building. Especially in areas where extreme weather or fires are a concern, safety is of the utmost importance. One of the biggest threats to a building is fire.
Wildfires and accidental fires can level a building and cause serious injury or death if they aren’t properly mitigated. When it comes to fire-resistant materials, wood is definitely not one of them.
Metal, however, is incredibly fire-resistant. In terms of fire resistant roofing, metal takes the cake. Metal is non-flammable, so in the event of a wildfire, falling embers will not cause your roof to catch fire from the outside.
A metal roof will also help contain an interior fire better by stifling its access to oxygen. You can expect the average metal roof to last anywhere from 40 to 70 years, much longer than more typical materials like wood and asphalt.
3. Durability
Extreme weather and typical wear and tear can cause a building to break down at an accelerated pace. Metal is one of the most durable building materials on the planet, though, and can handle a far greater level of abuse than materials like wood, drywall, vinyl, stucco, and other common building materials.
Siding is one area of a building that tends to see a lot of abuse from the elements and debris. Therefore, steel siding is one of the smartest choices you could make if you’re looking to maximize durability on the exterior of your building.
Stainless steel siding does not easily dent, is impervious to moisture and UV rays, and will never rot, warp, or mold either. Most types of siding won’t last longer than a decade or two, but steel siding will last you anywhere from 40 to 60 years before needing replacement.
Metal is a Highly Underrated Building Material
While metal isn’t the most popular type of building material, mostly because it’s cheaper to build with materials like wood, it’s certainly one of the highest quality. A metal building is guaranteed to outperform a majority of other building materials when it comes to important characteristics like durability, safety, and longevity, just to name a few.
Whether you’re constructing a new commercial or residential building, it’s safe to say that implementing metal as a material would be a wise choice for more than a few reasons.
Brian Jeffries is the content director for the Innovative Building Materials blog and a content writer for the building materials industry. He is focused on helping fellow homeowners, contractors, and architects discover materials and methods of construction that save money, improve energy efficiency, and increase property value.