The Economic Benefits of Metal Building Systems
Lower Construction Costs
Reduced Maintenance
Long-Term Value
Greater Efficiency
Higher Resale Value
Tax Rebates and Incentives
Companies and project owners are choosing metal building systems over more traditional construction approaches. There are several good reasons for that.
Metal buildings have long been used for agricultural structures, storage facilities, warehouses, airplane hangars, and indoor sports arenas. But they’re now also commonly used for office buildings, retail establishments, churches, government buildings, medical facilities, and much more.
As developers know, the benefits of metal building systems are many. But there’s one feature that jumps out right away …
Lower Construction Costs
The main components of a metal building system are created in a factory setting, where conditions and processes can be tightly controlled. This leads to a more efficient process, faster production times, less waste, and thus, lower costs. The components are pre-measured, pre-cut, and pre-punched precisely using sophisticated factory equipment. Then they are transported and assembled onsite. This reduces or eliminates the time spent fabricating components at the construction site—which also lowers safety risks. The time required for assembly can be accurately calculated, eliminating surprises.
The emergence of computer-aided design (CAD) has also enhanced the process dramatically, making it faster, more streamlined and trouble-free. Design elements can be worked out beforehand with all involved parties contributing. Troubleshooting takes place on a computer screen rather than at the physical building site. With all these advantages, construction of metal buildings can cost 30 to 50 percent less than other methods.
Faster Construction Time
Factories offer a better environment than construction sites for producing building components. With systematized processes that can be repeated indefinitely, they bring the efficiencies of the assembly line to the construction process. The time savings from this approach are dramatic, and they continue when the components are assembled at the jobsite. Being prefabricated to fit, the components can be assembled quickly. They can also be produced while foundations and other elements are being built on site, saving even more time.
In the traditional construction process, the various phases take place sequentially, so each subcontractor must wait for the previous one to complete its work before beginning. This extends the total construction time significantly and results in an inefficient use of time and labor. Employing a metal building system enables builders to avoid this drawback.
As the cliché says, time is money. That’s especially true in the construction field, where capital is often borrowed, and profitability depends on getting the structure up and running as quickly as possible.
Low Maintenance
Metal building systems are typically less complex than conventional structures, which helps make them easier to maintain. Unlike wood, which is still used for some commercial as well as residential construction, steel components are invulnerable to pests, mold, rot, and mildew. That eliminates a long list of maintenance issues – Termite eradication can be expensive. Mold can produce serious health problems, leading to lawsuits and insurance claims. Rotted wood can compromise the structural integrity of a building. Metal building systems avoid these potentially costly issues.
Versatility
A common misconception is that metal buildings are limited to a few fixed designs. But in reality, today’s metal buildings are typically custom-designed by professional architects and engineers to suit specific needs and purposes. There are virtually unlimited choices regarding size, shape, layout, cladding, and interior features. That makes metal buildings more attractive for a variety of uses and, therefore, more valuable.
Long-Term Value
Metal buildings can be used for a wide variety of purposes, which enhances their market value. Their large open spaces make them ideal for indoor sports activities, for storing heavy equipment and other large items, and for a multitude of other uses where conventional structures won’t suffice.
With their modular design, metal buildings can accommodate expansion more easily than conventional structures. In some cases, they can even be disassembled and moved to another location. Metal lasts longer than other materials without the need for replacement or repairs. All these features make metal buildings a good long-term investment.
Recyclability
At the end of its useful life, the components of a metal building can be recycled with virtually no damage to the environment.
Tax Incentives
Section 179D of the Internal Revenue Code rewards energy efficient features in new construction as well as improvements on existing structures. The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 included higher deduction limits along with other changes to the law. Many state and local jurisdictions often offer additional tax incentives for smart, energy-efficient construction, for which metal building systems are especially well-suited. Metal building systems typically incorporate high-quality insulation and surface coatings, making them exceptionally energy efficient.
With all these features, metal building systems clearly offer more than convenience for their owners and users; they provide significant, tangible economic benefits as well. It’s no surprise that they represent an ever-increasing share of new construction in the U.S. and elsewhere. According to Grand View research, the pre-engineered metal building industry grew to $12.8 billion by 2023, and is expected to rise at a compound annual growth rate of 8.4 percent from 2024 to 2030.
Clearly, metal building systems will play a big part in America’s future economic expansion.
