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!

Affordability and reduction of sound transmission are just a few key features of strawboard panels. Plus, they’re also fire, termite, mold, and impact-resistant.

Strawboard is close to wood in texture so it can be sawn, drilled, routed, nailed, screwed, and glued. In the U.S, there are two companies that manufacture strawboard panels. They are Enviro Board Corp. of Sacramento, CA. and Durra Building Systems, based in Whitewright, Texas.

Also a product called BIOFIBER™ wheat panels that are made by Environ BioComposite can be used for interior applications such as table surfaces, cabinetry, furniture, and decorative & architectural applications.

For more information, please visit: www.greenstrides.com  or visit us at www.norsteel.com

When we talk about reclaimed wood, most of it was originally sawn from old growth trees which are usually larger, older and had tighter growth rings than trees cut today.  When the wood is re-milled and re-finished, it provides rich colors and beauty, and not available from today’s timber. The price of these doors is about twice the price of stock doors you’ll find at big box retailers, but the quality and character are unsurpassed.  Liberty Valley Doors from California offer a Rediscovered Wood Door collection of new, unfinished doors constructed of 100% reclaimed wood, mainly Douglas Fir beams, joists and timbers. Doors are sanded and ready for finishing. Designs include 1-, 2- or 3-panel layout, with or without arches and pre-finishing is also available in these styles. 

Some more styles include Albany Woodworks from Albany, Louisiana custom crafts fine doors from antique heart cypress and antique heart pine.  From Tetonia, Idaho there is a place called Alternative Timber Structures which offers an amazing line of custom doors from reclaimed Fir, Cypress, Oak, Cedar and redwood which is all assembled using mortise, tenon and pegging. The last place is called Pine Door Company, they are located in Montana and retain the rich character and time-worn look of reclaimed barn wood in its handcrafted doors.  So as you see here are some great places to check out if your looking to re-finish old doors in your building and have them look beautiful, modern and new! 

For more information on this article or more about how you can re-finish your old and existing doors, please visit:  www.greenstrides.com and also visit us at www.norsteel.com for some green options and ideas!

Now knowing how competitive today’s construction markets are with lumber to pre-engineered metal buildings to pour and tilt concrete walls to structural steel building components to block and plank to light-gauge cold-formed steel, you are going to have to offer the best prices and service!  Using mobile automation will help with this.  Here’s how you can you do this, you can eliminate all the variables and focus on the quality and efficiency of the actual product (steel building etc.).  What do we already know about the product?  When panels and trusses are properly utilized, they are already contributing to savings to everyone in the construction process.  By automating the design of your steel building and production of panels and trusses, you can then use software design to steel coil to finish the product with less scrap, waste, labour and of course material costs.  Now you have an efficient and cost effective method to create light-gauge cold-formed steel panels and trusses. 

These technologies are available and packaged in a way so that you can take them with you to the construction site.  You can manufacture high quality, cost effective light-gauge cold-formed steel panels and trusses right on your job site.  Eventually, you can save money on facilities and on freight.  Make sure to consider this factor and also include how many pounds of panels or trusses a manufacturer could get on a trailer.  This is very important.  Some questions to consider during this process are: How much steel and labour costs could be added to this product?  How much more installation time would that add to the project? Make sure to consider the answers to these questions as saving more time and money are two very important things to bring to your project. 

For more information on this topic, please visit:  www.metalconstructionnews.com   You can also visit us, at www.norsteel.com

You can install solar tubes, also known as sun tunnels which are very popular and easily retrofitted into new or existing buildings.  Depending on the Energy Star rated system you decide to go with, it may qualify for a federal tax incentive up to 30% of the cost. As well as, local and state incentives may also apply.  Basically, the way electricity works is with every flick of the switch, electricity is typically generated by burning fossil fuels, and pollution, as well as greenhouse gases are released.  By utilizing the power of the sun to lower electricity usage, you’ll reduce your carbon footprint and help clear the air.  “Like skylights, solar tubes bring natural daylight into interior rooms. Unlike skylights, solar tubes are inexpensive and unlikely to experience problems like rain leaks, heat loss, condensation or overheating, and are relatively easy to retrofit into an existing house. A solar tube consists of a clear dome that collects sunlight into a highly polished and reflective tube that reflects the light down to a diffuser on the ceiling. The light has a natural quality and is sufficient to light a small room, hallway or staircase” reports Portland’s Office of Sustainable Development. 

For larger rooms, larger solar tubes or multiple units may be necessary.  Options for solar tubes include: diffusers, night time lighting, daylight dimmers and integrated bathroom fans. 

With a super energy-efficient solar tube, you can qualify for a federal tax credit, especially if it has a V-factor and solar heat gain coefficient less than or equal to .30 and it is installed between these dates: June 1, 2009 – December 31, 2010.

For more information on energy-efficient solar tubes, please visit: www.greenstrides.com   Also, please visit: www.norsteel.com for options on skylights.

Have you ever felt nauseous or dizzy, had eye and skin irritations?  Low-VOC paints are known to release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air causing these symptoms and they also contribute to smog. Luckily, now a days, most major paint brands are now mixing eco-friendly alternatives, using water and latex as base and binder, and are minimizing the use of synthetic solvents and petroleum-derived products. You can look for “Low VOC” or “Zero VOC” on the label for greener paint options.

The Natural ingredients of these paints are:  Linseed oil which is a biodegradable, renewable resource, milk paint which employs casein, a non-toxic milk protein, as a binder, minerals which can also be used as pigments, beeswax is a binder that’s been around for ages, and biodegradable interior and exterior stains made with soy or citrus oils.

Many companies now are recycling unused paints and mixing them with small amounts of new ingredients. These are durable as mid-range new paints, and recycled products use less energy and fewer natural resources. They also consume much less waste.

For more info, you can visit: www.greenseal.org or www.treehugger.com.  

You can also visit us at www.norsteel.com for Green options and ideas.

An article on CanadaViews.ca points out only the positive, focusing on the fact that while there may be a decline in non-commercial building construction from third to fourth quarter, inclines may be seen when comparing data from same quarters on 2008. Saskatchewan showed the highest increases when comparing 2008 fourth quarter to 2009 fourth quarter. Advanced Education, Employment and Labour Minister Rob Norris was quoted in the article as saying “The annual totals for non-residential construction are solid when you look at the economy in 2009,” Norris said. “This definitely supports the case for more positive news in 2010.”

There may be something to the logic behind this more positive outlook. Simply look at this Statistics Canada graph showing the major incline in non-residential construction from 2004 until 2009.

For information about commercial building projects, contact Norsteel Buildings, Canadian commercial steel building specialists.

Yahoo Canada: Construction of Non-Residential Buildings Down in Fourth Quarter of 2009

Statistics Canada: Investment in non-residential building construction

Canadaviews.ca: Non-Residential Construction Hit Record Levels in 2009

So what exactly does a Landscape Architect do? Well according to the same article in U.S. News and World Report, if you are a Landscape Architect here is what you will do:

“You’ll work with architects and engineers from the start of a project to determine the best placement for buildings, driveways, roads, and sidewalks, as well as the best areas for fountains, flowers, shrubs, and trees. Environmental conservation and restoration play an increasingly important role in landscape architecture, so you may find yourself working with environmental scientists or foresters when planning a site. While you’ll spend lots of time focused on your client’s wants and needs, you’ll also have to ensure that the project is in line with government regulations. While working on site plans, you may also be responsible for sketches, models, video simulations of the finished site, photographs, and cost estimates of the work. You might work on wetlands restoration, college campuses, or shopping centers.”

Landscape Architects are becoming increasingly present and influential in the field of commercial building. As building green is increasingly becoming more present and new green industry standards are implemented, Landscape Architects have a lot on their plates. To learn more about this exciting career, visit this Wikipedia page or the Ontario Association of Landscape Architects website.