How Metal Panels Contribute to Sustainability in Commercial Projects
As sustainability becomes increasingly crucial, builders are searching for materials that minimize environmental impact. Metal panels have become a standout choice for their sustainable and energy-efficient properties. From its durability to its recyclability, metal is an ideal solution for any commercial project.
Let’s dive into how metal panels contribute to sustainability in a variety of ways.
How Metal Compares to Other Building Materials
Compared to many other building materials, metal panels stand out for their environmental and sustainable properties. Characteristics such thermal performance/reflectivity, longevity, and recyclability set them apart as a more sustainable choice for commercial projects.
Longevity of Metal Materials
Fabral’s metal panels can last over 50 years with minimal maintenance. This far outlasts asphalt shingles, which typically need replacements every 15-20 years as they deteriorate. The extended lifespan of metal materials generates far less waste, as the roof doesn’t require frequent replacements.
Recyclability
Once they’ve reached the end of their life on the roof, metal panels can be recycled endlessly. All new metal panels contain up to 80% recycled content, which creates a closed-loop manufacturing process that significantly reduces environmental impact.
The recycling process for metal panels uses less energy compared to producing new metal from raw materials, further reducing the material’s carbon footprint. This approach to material use makes metal panels an environmentally responsible choice for commercial projects.
Fabral’s metal panels are green by nature, making them an excellent product to earn LEED credits.
Advancements in Metal Roofing Technology
The metal roofing industry has seen significant technological advancements over the years, leading to enhanced performance and sustainability benefits. Through innovative paint coatings, panel designs, recyclability, and longevity, innovations in metal roofing technologies are enabling more sustainable construction.
Infrared Pigments & Insulation
Metal panels have advanced finishes with infrared-reflective pigments. These specialized pigments reflect solar heat away from the building, reducing cooling loads and energy consumption.
During warmer months in big cities, these infrared pigments help buildings achieve significant energy savings while helping to maintain more comfortable indoor temperatures as they lower cooling requirements.
Thermal Efficiency
Metal roofing profiles have been engineered to provide superior airflow and ventilation under the panels, enhancing thermal and energy-saving properties. This could include adding extra insulation layers underneath the panels.
The reflective metal surfaces, ventilated air space, and insulation barriers work together to significantly reduce heat gain during summer months and heat loss during winter. This helps maintain consistent indoor temperatures year-round, reducing the strain on HVAC systems and leading to substantial energy savings. The thermal efficiency of metal reduces the urban heat island effect and lessens the need for air conditioning.
How Fabral Helps to Reduce a Building’s Carbon Footprint
Fabral’s metal products can play a key role in helping commercial projects minimize their environmental impact. Our team is continuously working with vendors to find new processes and material suppliers who are on the cutting edge of technology and increasingly becoming a more environmentally conscious company. For example, scrap waste during production is important to us. We work to decrease the amount of waste month over month and recycle metal to reduce waste overall.
Learn More About Fabral’s Solutions
Fabral is widely recognized as a benchmark leader for metal wall and roof panels, with a commitment to producing sustainable and environmentally friendly products. Fabral provides expert guidance to help architects, contractors, and building owners select the optimal panel systems for their specific needs.
Our experts can guide you to the right sustainable metal solution for you. We understand that being green is vital to your building, and we’re here to make it last. Learn more about our solutions!