Prefabricated steel buildings have witnessed rapid popularity in Canada. The latest statistics show that the prefabricated manufacturing industry stands at 2.4 billion USD in 2022 and will surpass 5.8% in the coming year.
Prefab structures are suitable for various purposes, including warehouses, garages, workshops, commercial buildings, storage spaces, and offices. Their durability, faster construction time, and high resistance to external damage give them a clear advantage over other materials.
If you require a prefabricated steel building for commercial or personal purposes, you should hire a company with experience in constructing metal buildings Canada. Although you will find plenty of such companies, it’s vital to find one that designs, engineers, and fabricates them in advanced manufacturing plants.
Pre-engineered buildings refer to those structures whose primary components are manufactured in a factory. When a company completes a manufacturing process, it transports those parts to a specific site determined by the customer, where they are assembled to form the complete building.
However, in most provinces of Canada, including Ontario, Surrey, and Toronto, you require a permit before installing steel buildings. Usually, the company takes care of the permit requirements or provides you with authentic certified engineer drawings, making it easy to obtain one.
But what are the various benefits of pre-engineered metal buildings, their types, and other things to know about them? Continue reading to find out.
Advantages of steel buildings
As mentioned above, metal buildings (made from steel) are gaining rapid popularity in Canada, with more people and industries opting for them over those made from concrete or other materials. The reason is their multiple advantages, some of which are mentioned below.
Lower construction time
Buildings made from concrete or wood have a high construction time, extending to several months. Most Canadian companies take 10 to 16 months to complete a single-dwelling home and around 18 months for apartments and commercial buildings.
In contrast, prefab companies take about eight to 10 weeks to manufacture the components and transport them on-site for the final assemblage. These are especially beneficial for businesses that work on strict deadlines. However, depending on the company, the delivery process might take some time.
Lower installation costs
Lower installation costs are another factor that attracts people toward metal buildings. The cost of installing a steel building is between 10 CAD to 25 CAD per square foot in Canada but may go higher depending on the building.
In contrast, hiring labour for construction in Canada is pretty expensive. According to the latest available figures, the unit labour cost for construction in Canada is 0.84 CAD per unit, while the average labour cost is almost 36 CAD an hour.
Highly durable
While concrete buildings have many advantages, the disadvantages far out shadow those. For example, concrete has extremely low durability. It cracks open during heavy rainfall and freezing temperatures because of low-tensile strength, leading to water seepage and weakening its structure.
Steel buildings easily last anywhere from 50 to 100 years, with proper maintenance and high-quality material. It is interesting to know that in several provinces of Canada, for example, British Columbia, structures made from steel have existed for 100 hundred years or more.
Generally, steel buildings are best suited to Canada because they can withstand harsh weather conditions like heavy rainfall, intense storms, lighting and fire mishaps.
Friendly to the environment
Canada is an environmentally friendly country and takes sustainability very seriously. 70% of its electricity comes from eco-friendly sources. Naturally, using steel for construction is an ideal choice because it has minimal leftover materials, supports insulation, reduces energy usage, and meets Green Building requirements in Canada.
How to choose a company?
You should choose a company specialising in various steel applications, including farm buildings, warehouses, sports facilities and industrial warehouses. An experienced company will supply you with the required pre-engineered building within the specified timeline and budget.
Also, check the customers they have worked with, their delivery mechanisms, and the steel they use for construction (ideally, they should use high-tensile steel capable of withstanding 50,000 to 1,00,000 pounds per square inch).
You should hire a company that has experience in creating prefabricated metal buildings in Canada and understands your specific requirements, budgetary limitations etc. Steel buildings have numerous benefits, from durability to lower maintenance, and should be your first choice for construction.
