There is a reason why many municipal building departments are discouraging brick structures. They can be aesthetic marvels, but are also significantly susceptible to the moods of Mother Nature. It reduces the longevity of a brick building, while simultaneously increases the cost, time and labour involved to construct it.
For such salient reasons, many commercial and residential builders are making the changeover from brick to metal buildings. This is because, if required, one can also incorporate a brick veneer facade in their steel building to gain all the looks of a brick’s sleekness while enjoying the benefits of cutting-edge, cost-effective metal structures. If you are wanting to get an idea about how much metal buildings cost on average, you can take a look at the prices at http://armstrongsteel.com/ which will give you a general idea (although this company offers more competitive prices).
Here are reasons for investing in metal buildings:
INCREDIBLY EASY MAINTENANCE
Orthodox buildings need regular upkeep to stay in an attractive, functional shape. In fact, mending the roof alone can present a considerable expense. Inversely, a steel building with a metal roof merely demands a periodic hosing down. Also, occasionally when repairs are needed they do not cost much and an insurance policy would cover most of these scenarios.
In fact, steel can be cleaned with simple soap and water. Small microbial growth comes about on a steel surface which can be sprayed or treated with steel cleaners without damaging the underlying structure. It is admissible to check the fasteners once a year to replace the sealant as required and refurbish any scratched surfaces to sustain the rust-free finish. Moreover, if a change of heart calls for a change of colour or texture, then it can be done with a simple paint or specialised coatings made exclusively for metal surfaces.
LOWER INSURANCE COSTS
In light of the protection and durability provided by metal structures, it is quite possible that your insurance costs would almost always be on the lower spectrum. Alternatively, building your facility from wood or brick would of course call for a different level of insurance. Steel is resistive to fire and you can install fire-resistant insulation too.
Also, steel is resilient against seismic activity and modern construction methods result in fewer catastrophic failures than stone, concrete or wood. Furthermore, a steel-framed building defies storm damage and high winds much better than wood-framed construction.
It is these types of ongoing savings that make steel a winning choice for companies insuring them.
ABILITY TO EXPAND
Over the course of time, your family will expand and you may need to grow your home. Additions to steel structures are virtually always less expensive than adding onto a structure of brick or wood. It also strengthens the resale value of the building.
The majority of steel buildings are expandable by affixing an addition to the end wall or by constructing a lean-to type structure on the side. If your building is manufactured for upward expansion with a solid, sturdy foundation and framework, the structure can be grown by adding stories to a low-rise building or a single floor. Also, high-rise steel buildings with a heftier foundation and frame can be built up higher with more floors, without disfiguring the structure.
PEST AND MOLD RESISTANCE
A steel building not only stands up to vicious climatic conditions, it also safeguards the structure from pests such as termites, rodents and other insects. In addition to this, damage from mold and mildew does not exist in a well-crafted and sealed building. In fact, proper sealing before construction will ensure that you may never have problems with rust or any other environmental hazard.
Over the longer haul, investment in steel will not only protect you and your family from uncontrollable aspects, but due to its durability, low upkeep and insurance costs, it will save you enough to book two family vacations a year instead of one!
