Photo: Erik Mclean

How do you heat and cool a metal building?

By doing the following, you can keep your metal building nice and cool in the heat of summer: Create a heat barrier with proper insulation. Reflect the heat with light paint colors. Consider cooling add-ons to windows and doors. Choose a cool metal-roof system. Ventilate your building well.

alphastructures.co - How to Keep Your Metal Building Cool in the Summer - Alpha Structures

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If you live in a hot climate, you might be inclined to avoid metal buildings because they conduct heat. However, with a few simple strategies, metal building owners can keep their homes cool throughout the warm summer months. By doing the following, you can keep your metal building nice and cool in the heat of summer:

Create a heat barrier with proper insulation.

Reflect the heat with light paint colors.

Consider cooling add-ons to windows and doors.

Choose a cool metal-roof system.

Ventilate your building well.

Don’t let heat prevent you from investing in a metal home, metal carport, metal barndominium, or metal garage. The benefits, like durability and affordability, far outweigh the potential challenges.

Five Ways to Keep Your Metal Building Cool This Summer

There are a variety of economical possibilities when it comes to keeping your metal building cool in the summer. Many homeowners choose to insulate their metal buildings to reduce both heating and cooling costs. Other cooling additions—like awnings, window fans, and ventilation—will increase the value of your home or business. Otherwise, you can simply paint your roof a light color or add a cool metal roof system to reduce heat.

Create a Heat Barrier with Proper Insulation

If you want to save money on heating and cooling costs, reduce your carbon footprint, and stay comfortable year-round, start with the right insulation. As building codes become increasingly green, most new buildings are required to have a certain level of insulation. Make sure to check regional regulations and confirm your metal building matches energy efficiency codes. Did you know that the majority of heat gain comes from above? For this reason, you should concentrate insulation in your attic. Insulation also keeps you warm in the winter—so you’ll save money on both air conditioning and heating costs. Talk with a local contractor to get all of the necessary details of which type of insulation you’ll need according to the local climate.

Reflect the Heat with Light Paint Colors

Most people know that dark colors attract light and heat from the sun, while lighter colors reflect heat. Despite this, many people in warm climates still use dark-colored roofs. Adding a white or light-colored roof to your metal building is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to avoid heat. In fact, a Yale study indicated that adding white roofs to buildings could automatically lower their temperature by 2 degrees celsius. During hot days, cool air naturally slips through doors and windows, raising the temperature of your metal building. Reduce direct sunlight with awnings, overhangs, and canopies. These additions are generally inexpensive and offer natural shade.

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In addition, reflective window pane glass and light-colored doors work like white roofs, deflecting light and heat back into the atmosphere. You can also invest in window fans and AC units to keep your metal building cool. These require more energy but they address the overheating issue directly at the source.

Choose a Cool Metal-Roof System

Both Energy Star® and the Cool Roof Rating Council recommend cool metal roof systems to improve sustainability and energy efficiency. Use metallic-coated steel sheets or reflective resins to save money on cooling costs and stay comfortable in the process. These compounds include solar reflective pigments that reduce the need for air-conditioning.

Ventilate Your Building Well

Ventilation is important to maintaining good air quality in your home or business. It can also provide a natural solution to overheating. Gravity vents allow air to automatically cycle through your metal building with no additional electricity. There are both solar and wind-powered turbine vents that provide airflow and heat relief. Of course, powered fans on ceilings and walls lower indoor temperatures dramatically and usually don’t require as much electricity as air conditioning. If you live in a humid environment, consider a dehumidifier or HVAC system to keep your metal building cool.

Takeaway

Metal buildings can easily be as cool and comfortable as traditional wooden structures. A few simple additions can reduce heat dramatically—and save you hundreds of dollars on your energy bill. Even if you live in a hot climate, metal buildings are a great option for year-round relaxation. Small changes like a light-colored roof or cool metal roof system diminish heat without breaking the bank. Other fixes like awnings, insulation, and ventilation involve a small upfront cost but save you money in the long term. For answers to your specific metal building questions, reach out to one of our qualified specialists today.

alphastructures.co - How to Keep Your Metal Building Cool in the Summer - Alpha Structures

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