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

So why is the Bloom Box being touted as the affordable fuel cell? Well it is all about the materials inside the box. Most fuel cells require platinum and/or other precious metals, and utilize pure hydrogen. The Bloom Box, however, uses an inexpensive metal alloy, disks made of beach sand (ceramic), some mysterious paint, and it feeds on oxygen and a methane mixture. Sridhar is also confident that he will eventually be able to bring the price of home units down to about $3000 USD

The cost is not the only concern that has been voiced in regards to the Bloom Box. In fact for as many supporters that Sridhar has managed to rally, there seems to be umpteen naysayers. Beyond the typical problems associated with fuel cells, other possible detriments include the possibility of high carbon dioxide emissions and, of course, high competition in the race to be the first company to create a viable fuel cell.

It will be interesting to observe how the Bloom Box story plays out and the effect it will have on residential and commercial steel buildings.

Watch the 60 Minutes interview, filmed earlier this week, of the “power plant in a box” here: BloomBox Experiment

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!

Before jumping right in and purchasing your property and commercial steel building, it is important to do you due diligence. As with any industry, the mini storage industry is not for everyone and it is important to do your research, tread carefully, and really consider whether or not the self-storage – or mini storage business is right for you.

Start by taking a look at the Norsteel Mini Storage Buildings website. We set it up specifically to provide would be and experiences mini storage business owners with information and resources. In particular, we ask that you read through our Free Self Storage Business Information and Tips page. This page not only poses important questions and provides valuable info, it also links to some great resources that you can utilize again and again as you go through the entire process of creating and building your mini storage business.

Of course, if you have any questions that the Norsteel mini storage site does not answer, or if you would just rather talk to a real live person, give us a call! Our toll free number is 1-866-822-4022. We are here to help.

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

Recycling this water is becoming an increasingly popular topic of conversation among residential and commercial construction industry experts. Water recycling systems can range from DIY grey water system devices to sophisticated filtration systems. Some areas of the US severely restrict the use of recycled grey water as part of a Uniform Plumbing Code act but areas that are utilising recycled grey water may experience a reduction of almost a third.

Click on this link to find some case studies of large scale grey water recycling in Canada or you can learn about how the 2010 Olympics are utilizing water Recycling programs.

Recycled grey water is not suitable for drinking and may not be applicable to gardens that bear edible plants but is perfect for watering parks, fields and lawns, as well as flush water for toilets. So when considering irrigation / watering systems for your commercial steel building project, make sure to do your due diligence on the subject of grey water recycling.

Here is a video by Ecoplay Systems about their greywater recycling system: