More and more people are choosing metal construction to make their dream of homeownership a reality. Building a metal home is often more economical than traditional wooden homes. Additionally, metal homes offer a modern and unique aesthetic that sets them apart from other homes in the neighborhood. Metal construction could be the perfect solution, whether you’re looking to build a small starter home or a spacious family home.
Metal residential structures have gained popularity due to their advantages:
- Durability
- Energy Efficiency
- Design Flexibility
- Sustainability
- Cost-Effectiveness
- Fire Resistance
Durability
Metal homes offer exceptional durability and longevity. They can withstand extreme weather conditions like hurricanes, heavy snow, and earthquakes better than wood. Metal is also resistant to rot and pests, reducing the need for costly repairs and maintenance. A homeowner who discovers termite damage will spend an average of $3,000 on repairs. Nobody needs that expense—with a metal home, you won’t have it!
Energy efficiency
Metal homes designed with insulation will minimize heat loss in the winter and heat gain in the summer. This energy efficiency can significantly reduce heating and cooling costs, making them cost-effective homes. The roof can have a considerable impact on the energy use of a building. A light-colored, reflective metal roof can save up to 40 percent in cooling energy, according to the Heat Island Group of the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.
Design Flexibility
Metal structures allow for various design possibilities, including contemporary and minimalist aesthetics. You can create open floor plans, have large windows, and have unique architectural features with metal framing. The flexibility of expression and creative innovation that structural steel fosters is unmatched by any other framing material.
Combining materials is an option to consider with metal homes. Metal can be used for the primary structure, while wood can be incorporated for interior finishes, such as flooring and cabinetry, to balance the benefits of both materials.
Sustainability
Building sustainable housing is on the upswing due to increasing consumer demands, emerging economic advantages, and the growing imperative to address the climate crisis. With global temperatures rising (July 4, 2023, was Earth’s hottest day on record!) and natural disasters becoming increasingly common, there is a growing recognition of the urgent need to reduce carbon emissions and mitigate the effects of climate change. Building with steel produces only 2% material waste, whereas lumber produces a whopping 20%! Furthermore, steel is fully recyclable, making it an environmentally friendly choice.
Cost-Effectiveness
Metal homes are typically more affordable than traditional homes. Metal structures are often pre-engineered, resulting in faster construction times and reduced labor costs. Additionally, the durability and low maintenance requirements of metal homes can lead to savings on repairs and replacements in the future. See Durability and Energy Efficiency above!
Fire Resistance
Metal is inherently fire-resistant, providing peace of mind and potentially lowering insurance premiums. Metal structures are particularly important in areas prone to wildfires or with stringent fire safety regulations. A framework of steel allows lightning charges to safely dissipate into the ground, minimizing the danger of fire and personal injury. Unlike wood, which can easily catch fire and spread flames, steel is much less likely to ignite and sustain a fire. House fires cause an average of $7.6 billion annually in direct property damage.
Build Your Dream Home
SmartBuild Systems is the construction industry’s only complete design system for pole barn and metal buildings, roofing, and re-roofing. Our web-based software quickly generates a 3D model, material lists, pricing, proposals, and construction documents for almost any post-frame building, metal structure, or roof.
Get in touch with SmartBuild Systems today to learn how easy it is to design your dream home using our metal building design software.
