Saving America’s Resources with Eco-Friendly Steel
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA):
“A green building is a structure that is environmentally responsible and resource-efficient throughout its life-cycle.”
Pre-engineered steel buildings fit that criteria perfectly. Here are seven reasons why red-iron steel makes a great green building material:
1. Pre-engineered Steel Buildings: 100% Recyclable
Steel is recycled far more than any other material.
Why?
One, steel separates easily from the other waste materials with huge electromagnets. Two, steel can be recycled endless times without losing and strength. Three, recycled steel is actually needed to produce new steel.
RHINO steel framing contains on average almost 90% recycled content.
2. Steel Buildings Help Save Landfill Space
Construction and demolition (C&D) waste constitutes a huge part of the debris thrown into landfills. Steel-framed buildings last longer than most conventional structures, automatically reducing C&D waste. Since steel recycles so easily, most old steel bridges, appliances, trains, ships, cars, pipes, cans, and other items wind up at recycling center, rather than the local dump ground.
3. Steel Buildings Save Trees
The more structures framed with steel, the fewer are framed with wood. The less lumber used in construction, the fewer trees that are sacrificed for lumber.
Trees suck up carbon dioxide from our atmosphere while producing life-giving oxygen. The more trees alive and well, and the better off we all breathe.
4. Steel Buildings Save Energy
A properly insulated prefabricated steel building cuts heating and cooling bills drastically. That significantly reduces energy expenditure over the lifetime of the structure.
Pre-engineered steel structures go up straight and true. They stay that way throughout the lifecycle of the building. There is no shifting, creeping, or loosening in steel framing as the years go by. Windows and doors framed with steel continue to shut tightly. The air leaks and draftiness common in aging wood-framed buildings framed wood does not happen in a sturdy pre-engineered steel structure.
5. No Termite Can Snack on Steel
Wood and other organic materials naturally attract termites, wood ants, mice, rats, and mold. The lumber needs to be treated with strong chemicals to discourage these voracious and costly pests. The structure and the ground surrounding it needs periodic, costly insecticide treatments.
Inorganic steel cannot attract termites and mold. No chemical treatments are necessary— unless your steel structure houses wood products!
6. Steel Lasts Decades Longer
Eco-friendly steel buildings defy aging. They hold their beauty and value for decades longer than ordinary structures. Extending the lifecycle of buildings reduces the amount of construction waste thrown into overcrowded landfills.
7. When Time Runs Out…
A steel-framed structure will last far, far longer than a wood-framed structure. When it has finally outlived its usefulness, the steel framing recycles again. Hundreds of years from now, the steel contained in today’s strongest structures will continue the endless lifecycle of usefulness and strength.
Be environmentally responsible. Call RHINO today to discuss a green prefabricated steel building for your next building project. Call now: 940.383.9566.
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