Thom was fascinated with the idea of 3-D surfaces and wanted to experiment, he wanted to naturally ventilate the SAIT parking garage with perforated metal. Rather than just painting on an image, the Ombrae allowed him to create an image that was alive, changing colors depending on the angle at which you approach it, the color of the sky and even the season, as green leaves can reflect off the exterior façade.  “Rather than just a billboard, this has more life to it,” Thom said.  “I just thought it was a great technology and I could see it on parking structures, roof top mechanical screen walls, artwork for interiors—I thought this would be a great natural way of doing it without putting on any paint,” Zeeff said. “We’re dreaming and experimenting and testing,but we see Dri-Design with Ombrae in theaters because we believe the sound transmission will be awesome.I see it in lobbies, it could go into a curtainwall or glass window system. I see it as corporate logos …anywhere you want to design a theme or project a feeling.”

If  you’re wondering if a photographic panel would require special installation or maintenance requirements,  it actually is easily installed with ease and maintains the same kind of low-to-zero-maintenance quality you would expect from metal panels says Dri-Design. 

For more information on Ombrae Imaging Technology, you can visit www.dri-design.com or for more information on Norsteel Buildings Limited and their products, please visit our website at www.norsteel.com

Called Lumenhaus (here is the project’s website) the building’s goals were to “clearly demonstrate that solar houses can be built without sacrificing energy efficiency or comfort, and that they can be both attractive and affordable.”

Some of the features the house boasts are electronic systems monitored by an iPhone app, lighting from LEDs, and multiple glass walls for maximum sun exposure. The modular design can be extended to add bedrooms, thus giving the homeowner the flexibility to have a two, three or four-bedroom home.

What makes Lumenhaus different from other energy conscious offerings out there? According to the team:

Where most energy-conscious houses are closed with strategic openings to resist heat transfer, LUMENHAUS has open, flowing spaces linking occupants to each other within the house and to nature outside. The fully automated Eclipsis System, comprising independent sliding layers, permits a revolutionary design in a solar-powered house, while filtering light in beautiful, flowing patterns throughout the day. LUMENHAUS epitomizes a “whole building design” construction approach, in which all the home’s components and systems have been designed to work together to maximize user comfort with environmental protection.

This is a bit of fluffy writing, to be sure, and it doesn’t answer the question of how the house actually does deal with heat transfer. But hey, it must be pretty good if it can be run completely from sunlight.

Here’s a video tour of the house:

The R value or R-value is the measure used in the building and construction industry for thermal resistance. Thermal resistance is the ability of a material to keep, or store, heat or cold. The R is from the equation used to calculate the figure. It’s calculated using the ratio of the temperature difference across an insulator (in this case an insulated panel) and the heat flux (the direction and intensity of the heat moving through the material). The bigger the number, the better the insulation’s effectiveness.

Increasing the thickness of an insulating layer increases its thermal resistance, and thus its R-value. For example, when you double the thickness of a fiberglass batting, this doubles its R-value. Manufacturer R values apply only to insulations that are installed properly. For example, cramming two layers of batting together into the thickness intended for one layer increases, but does not double the R-value (a good reason to make sure your walls and ceilings have enough clearance for the appropriate amount of insulation).  Also, the studs and windows of a building set up a heat conduction path that is separate from the rest of the building—therefore those areas are unaffected by the R-value of your chosen insulation. Because of this, you could use great insulation but if your building’s windows aren’t looked after, you might not realize a very big energy improvement.

We like to think about these things, so if you’re wondering what your options are for making your building energy efficient and cozy and/or cool, let us know. Norsteel buildings can accommodate the very latest in insulating materials and do it with ease!

If you’re investing in a new steel building and think that it’s already been efficiently insulated, these are false assumptions. It would be wise to take the time and research anything that you think would be included in these buildings because often they are not. 

Most steel buildings are constructed with only two inches of insulation. In most steel buildings this is an insufficient amount which will result in major loss of thousands of dollars yearly in wasted energy. Another major problem is that older steel buildings may have air leakage which will result in owners paying up to 50% for more heating and cooling. As you can see energy costs are going up due to the lack of research and poor assumptions that are made on steel buildings. 

To avoid high energy costs, read below on some of the facts to properly insulating your steel buildings:

When insulating properly, steel building owners can expect to save up to 20-50% savings on their next energy bill. Thermal energy loss is one of the largest expenses for steel building owners.  Insulating your steel building from $1.60 per square has instantly lowered energy bills for a lot of owners.

Energy becomes more efficient, when insulation acts as a barrier to slow the movement of heat which lowers energy outlays.

If properly laminated, vapor retardant also known as facing, quality insulation prevents condensation, which results in better climate control and maximum insulating efficiency. Insulation facing also provides bright, reflective wall and ceiling treatments to increase lighting efficiency.

Remember Short-term fixes to energy problems only offer short-term solutions!  Please research and investigate before purchasing or renovating your steel building. In the long run, you will save on energy bills and have a more energy-efficient steel building. 

For more information on insulating your building, feel free to visit our website at www.norsteel.com or give us a call at 1-866-822-4022, one of our sales reps will be happy to speak with you!  Or to learn more about insulation, please visit http://www.SteelBuildingInsulation.com

Now here we can talk a bit about the roofs materials and colours. Because of its base material, metal roofing works as a weather-resistant system for a really long time. Residential metal roofs are made from galvanized steel, this can be Galvalume or aluminum, however other metals are available as well such as zinc or copper.  Also, these metal roofs are made from recycled content and can be recycled after the useful life of the building.  You may also add high performance coatings at any time during the manufacturing process to help prolong the life of the roofing panels.  Coatings also reduce energy consumption and improve solar reflectance. Highly reflective colours or dark colours formulated with special infrared reflective pigments reduce energy consumption.  70 percent of solar reflectance can be achieved from metal roofs.  Keep in mind that colours of a coating can affect a roof’s reflectivity.  Another advantage of metal roofing is that they are great for renewable energy systems. 

Now here we can look at pricing.  Metal roofing should be considered in terms of life and value not just on price.  We realize that the installed cost may be expensive than traditional roofing, however, metal roofs will last longer and help to lower utility bills.  They may also qualify for a tax credit of up to $1,500.  Part of the Stimulus package which originated in 2009, a credit can be given worth up to 30 percent of material cost up to $1,500 per building.  A metal roof can even lower some insurance premiums by as much as 35 percent.

Now that you have read some advantages of metal roofs, you now may want to consider getting a metal roof for your building.  For more information on metal roofs, please visit us at www.norsteel.com

source: www.metalarchitecture.com

This prefab building features lots of natural light, classrooms that are reconfigurable, and of course, a great design. Of particular relevance to any school is the fact that more classrooms can be added, as they are needed, in a pay-as-you-go kind of way. And of course, the green aspect of the steel building is very important to the mission of this organization–and the school itself.

It’s kind of fun to know that prefab and steel buildings can also be high style. The Open Architecture Network has an entire portfolio of projects using prefabricated construction–that serve needs of local communities while being nice looking assets to the neighborhood.

Your Norsteel steel building may or may not win any design competitions, but either way, you’ll benefit from low costs and quick construction time, easy adaptation to meet your precise needs, and the potential to expand when growth requires it. Just like this school, you’ll find that a steel building is the way to move forward!

Metal panels are attractive and cost-effective and can resist weather.  They come in a variety of colours and are energy-efficient.  Metal is very durable and strong, They can last a long time and are lightweight.  Due to wind being the primary weather phenomenon, extensive testing is being done to determine the capacity of a roof or wall application to withstand load.  Generally, snow loads are calculated and determined a capacity for a panel. ASCE 7  are usually what engineers use (which is the minimum design loads for Buildings and structures).  

The most challenging event would be a tornado.  Therefore, there are some panels that are designed to withstand 200 mph winds, and building codes do not usually design for tornadoes due to their low probability of occurrence and if and when a category 5 does strike, sometimes there is nothing to be done.  In most cases, it’s very difficult to design a building that will stand up in those types of situations.  However, metal roofs are pretty good in most extreme elements and we have seen this many times especially from hurricanes.  If installed properly, metal roofs work well as an envelope and can have individual pieces coming off.  If you are able to keep the perimeter fastened and attached, you won’t have a failure out in the middle of the roof.  So the goal here is to keep the peeling action from even getting started.

Metal can handle snow, but the concern is areas with extreme snow such as buffalo.  These situations require significant span reductions.  Now, if you want to keep the weather out, such as water or air, most products are tested for air and water leakage.  Metal is rain, hail and fire resistant as well as sun damage resistant. These are all important key factors in purchasing metal panels. 

You can be sure that the sun will not damage your metal panels or cause chalking or fading and don’t forget that most products have a good warranty coverage.  So here, you have read the amazing benefits of metal panels and if you need more information or convincing, feel free to check out the source at www.metalarchitecture.com

Also, you can visit our website at www.norsteel.com on information about metal paneling, metal roofs or steel buildings.

Of course having said all of that, many builders still question the value and practicality of going green in the construction industry.To begin with, green buildings offers significant cost savings on many levels.

ü  Energy efficiency

ü  Water efficiency

ü  Material conservation

ü  Improved quality of life for employees, translating into less sick days

ü  Possible Government incentives.

If you look at our comprehensive green prefab buildings section of the Norsteel website, you will find the following information and much more information about this topic. As mentioned on our site, you may also find valuable green building information from the following resources.

Canada Green Building Council
Energy Star
Cool Roof Rating Council, CRRC

The most popular roof right now is a shingle roof this is due to the economy and all of the options available.  Shingle roofs have a fiberglass mat core and give the shingle flexibility which also provides fire resistance.  They also have a weather resistant asphalt coating embedded with crushed rock. The lifetime of the composition shingle is 15 to 30 years. The price on shingles varies.  There are many low end shingles such as plain or flat shingles.  Some people may want to spend a bit more and get a slightly more expensive shingle, one that incorporates a three dimensional look which is more appealing.  One manufacturer calls this the “shadow”. These composition shingles have more of a beefy look, reminiscent of the cedar shake shingles of old.  Shingle roofs are susceptible to algae growth.  This is a stain-looking light streak which is seen on many roofs today.  They can also come with an anti-algae coating, however are more expensive but are worth every penny if curb appeal is a problem for you.

Remember, building owners can expect to pay 30 percent more for a metal roof compared to regular shingle roofs. This can depend on weather, the time the building owner expects to stay in the building and if the building owners association will permit this. 

Now they we’ve talked about shingle roofs, here is some info on metal roofs.  Steel roofs can be a good choice for areas where there are high winds.  They metal roofs can withstand far higher mile per hour winds than regular shingle roofs.  Metal roofing material weighs one seventh what a shingle roof weighs and put less stress on the building.  These roofs are fire proof and have a lower insurance premium.  If you have a brick home with a metal roof, your chances of surviving a fire are very high.  Although, metal roofs generally cost more, in the long run it is actually cheaper because metal roofs do last a very long time.  And most roofing manufacturers will give a guarantee of fifty years!  Metal roofs are something you may definitely want to consider.  You can also find metal roofs to look like conventional shingles or cedar shake shingles.

When considering what type of roof you would like whether it is metal or composition, you need to think about the different factors especially how long you plan to stay in the home or building.  Also, how much you can afford to spend on the roof. 

For more information on this topic, please visit:  Shingle Roofs vs Metal Roofs: Composition Asphalt Shingles or Long Lasting Steel? http://home-exteriors.suite101.com/article.cfm/shingle_roofs_vs_metal_roofs#ixzz0foN8Gz85

Also visit us at www.norsteel.com on different options on roofs.

The different types of systems are geothermal heat pump systems, eligible solar energy systems, small wind systems, and residential fuel cell and microturbine systems.  Geothermal heat pump systems, ground-source or water-source heat pumps, use the constant temperature of the earth as the exchange medium instead of the outside air temperature like conventional air-source heat systems. The good thing about a geothermal heat pump system is that it is highly efficient, quiet, long-lasting, and requires little maintenance.  This is a good system to consider especially if you’re looking to install something that is quiet and long lasting for your steel building!  If you’re looking for an eligible solar energy system, this is great for any climate and should drop your water heating bills by 50%-80%.  This system also includes solar water heating and solar electric heating (photovoltaic) systems.  This type of system uses solar cells that capture heat from the sun and convert it directly into electricity.  The next system is called small wind systems and collects kinetic energy from the wind and converts it to electricity that is compatible with a home’s electric system.  These systems are one of the most cost effective home-based renewable energy systems and lower electricity bills by 50%-90%.  If you’re looking for a system for your home, this is a great one to consider.  Finally, the last one uses oxygen to clean and efficiently create electricity that will produce water and heat as by-products.  This system is called a residential fuel cell and microtubine system.  If your currently looking to purchase a system and are not quite sure which one to consider, visit energystar.com for different options and to find out which system is more suitable for your home or steel building structure! 

Also, don’t forget to read the federal tax details below: 30% of the cost, up to $500 per .5 kW of power capacity for existing homes, new construction and includes installation costs and expires December 31, 2016. For more information on incentives in your state or province, please visit: www.energystar.gov

For additional info on this article, you can visit:  http://www.greenstrides.com or www.norsteel.com for info on steel buildings and green options!