Whether you’re starting a new build or updating a structure, there’s a good chance that you want your project to stay on time and on budget.
If you hope that your building will also be more sustainable, it can seem impossible to work towards these goals all at once. Meeting these goals is even more challenging if your building or build site is far away from an urban center.
Fortunately, with a bit of planning and a few strategic choices, you can take steps towards sustainability regardless of where your structure is.
Upgrade Your Rural Building Without Breaking the Budget: Tips for Eco-Friendliness While Staying In Scope
The success of your project will always begin with a high-quality plan and simple, proven strategies. Here’s what we recommend:
Keep it simple.
As you start to think about how you’d like to make your structure more sustainable, strive to keep your scope as simple as possible. Keep your roof lines clean; keep unnecessary fixtures few and far between. If you don’t need to add a window, don’t. Remember that a square is easy to build if you’re building a new structure. These cleaner, simpler designs are cheaper to complete and easier to keep eco-friendly. It’ll also be easier to get the materials you need to your location, reducing the cost and complexity of your project.
Choose innately eco-friendly materials.
Steer clear of building materials that aren’t sustainable in and of themselves, and you’ll already be miles ahead of the competition. Petrolatum and plastics are clear examples of materials to avoid, but wood may be worth reconsidering as well. Wood rots quickly and can fall prey to termites. It may be a natural option, but if it’s one you need to keep repairing and replacing, it’s not exactly sustainable. We prefer steel for its permanence and ease of maintenance.
Insulate your structure well.
If you’re going to need to heat or cool your rural building, making sure that it’s adequately insulated is critical. This will reduce the energy you need to control the climate within the building, which can lower your bills and reduce the carbon footprint of your building. Take the time to properly caulk the corners and seal the seams of your structure before adding insulation. If you’re interested in going the extra mile, you can consider using cotton, sheep’s wool, or another eco-friendly insulation alternative.
Think about solar energy.
This might seem like a massive, extravagant investment, but it doesn’t need to be. And, if your structure is far away from other tall buildings, you may be in a perfect location to reap cost-saving benefits. By placing solar panels on a roof or by the side of a building, you may be able to subsidize your energy bills or even sell some of the energy you make.
Is Steel Truly a Sustainable Building Option?
We’re partial to steel for many reasons, not least its eco-friendliness. So here’s a quick rundown of the ways steel can provide a sustainable upgrade for your structure:
- Steel leads to less construction waste. There aren’t any scraps because steel structures usually come in pre-fabricated pieces to create a pre-determined framework. You also don’t need to worry about cutting pieces on-site or going back and forth to the hardware store to get more materials, which is a definite perk for rural projects.
- Steel creates durable structures. Over time, your steel building won’t require renovations or repairs like a wood or brick structure might. This saves you time and results in cleaner projects.
- The production of steel is mainly eco-friendly. Many steel plants have zero carbon emissions, and the entire industry is working to make their plants more energy-efficient.
Whether you incorporate one or all of these tips into your next rural building project, you’ll stand a good chance of reduced costs and a greener structure. But, if you need help achieving that goal, Peak Steel Contractors is ready to assist.
Save Time, Money, and Frustration on Your Next Project with Georgia’s Go-To Steel Contractors
A genuinely sustainable, budget-friendly, and timely construction project may seem impossible, particularly in the early 2020s. That’s why it’s time to team up with steel contractors who know the ins and outs of successful projects.
At Peak Steel Contractors, we pride ourselves on planning and designing steel construction projects that stay on track, don’t break the bank, and are naturally eco-friendly. Want to see what we can do? Check out our past projects, and give us a call for more information about a cost-savvy rural structure.