What Is Pre-Finished Steel?
The term pre-finished steel can refer to a number of different aspects of the steel such as the painting, and whether the steel is laminated or co-laminated. Laminated pre-finished steel has a polymer top coat, while the top coat of co-laminated steel is made from PET.
Pre-finished steel has a number of uses including roofing, building envelopes and cladding. It is becoming more popular for use in the construction industry due to its environmental benefits and is used in various sectors across this industry.
Roofing
There are a number of environmental benefits to choosing a pre-finished steel roof over an asphalt shingle one. Steel roofs can contain up to 30% recycled material and when they reach the end of their useful life they can be 100% recycled. When a steel roof is installed it is usually expected that it will last for at least 50 years, which is up to twice as long as a shingle roof.
Having a steel roof can help make the property more energy efficient. The sun’s rays are reflected off the roof which reduces the temperature in the building. This reduces the need for air conditioning units to be used so often.
Building Envelopes
Pre-finished steel building envelopes are mostly used on commercial buildings. They provide protection for the building from the elements and also offer a number of environmental benefits.
The fact that the steel envelope offers protection to the building also means it has a role to play in controlling the temperature inside the building. When the weather is warmer a steel envelope will reflect the rays of the sun and the heat that they produce away from the building which will keep it cooler. The opposite is true in the winter, when the warm air inside the building will be prevented from escaping.
If the envelope ever needs to be replaced in can be recycled, which may not be possible with materials of other types. This reduces the amount of waste that will end up on landfill.
Cladding
Metal cladding that is made from pre-finished steel has many of the benefits of building envelopes but is more popular for use in single storey buildings.
The use of pre-finished steel to produce cladding can help to ensure that the building is properly sealed which will help prevent air from inside of the building escaping. A properly sealed building will keep the inside of the building cooler in the summer months and warmer during the winter. This will reduce the amount of energy that is needed to maintain a comfortable temperature within the building all year round.
Other Benefits of Pre-finished Steel Products
A further advantage of pre-finished steel products is that the environmental benefits may also lead to financial savings for the owner of the building, such as through reduced energy bills. Pre-finished steel is often much more durable than other materials and so will not have to be replaced so often. In some cases, such as with roofing, steel may cost more to purchase initially.
However, in the long run it is more cost effective because it will not need to be replaced or even repaired for a number of years.
Buildings that have pre-finished steel products often look aesthetically pleasing as the steel can usually be made in any colour and design that fits in with the rest of the building.
Pre-finished steel products can often be manufactured and prepared for fitting offsite. This means that on the actual day that the products are being fitted to the building, the process is quick and easy, and can be scheduled around any other building work that needs to be done.
