When the need comes to tighten belts and find ways to save, people spend less on non-essentials. However, for new construction, quality is a must and should not be compromised with low price. As more and more people opt for a structure that provides more space, combined with unmatched performance at a reasonable price, metal buildings surely come to mind.
The flexibility in design is one of the major selling points of metal buildings, aside from durability, long lifecycle, affordability and fast construction. Today’s consumers have more discriminating tastes as far as interior design is concerned. And thanks to the versatility of steel, metal buildings have evolved from ugly metal boxes to structures that are landmarks of style.
Imagine wide, open, column-free interiors, all the space you want, limited only by the size of the structure. This is possible only with steel. Metal buildings are prefabricated and pre-engineered in factories based on the needs and specifications of the customer, with building codes factored in.
Interiors of metal buildings can be finished as far as the budget permits. After all, you have saved enough by choosing to build with steel. Actually, there are myriad ways of finishing the interiors of metal buildings. In fact, they can look exactly like anything you imagined them to be.
However, keep in mind that the finish must match the purpose of structure. A place of business must exude professionalism while a home must promote warmth and comfort.
One finishing option for metal buildings, which is, by far, the most cost-saving, is the use of liner panels. Liner panels are the same metal panels that are used in the exteriors of metal buildings. They give the interiors of metal buildings a more finished look. They also serve to protect the insulation installed in the walls.
Liner panels are screwed to the framing of metal buildings. Savings come in the form of reduced work-days and the need for painting is eliminated. Some may argue that facings can be used in lieu of liner panels. However, they provide greater protection for the insulation material against sharp objects or power tools. Liner panels for metal buildings are stronger than plywood. Compared to sheetrock or drywall, they require no additional framing.
However, there are those who prefer to cover the framing with sheetrock or drywall and then have them painted or textured. Even the ceilings can be covered with drywall. To hide the ceiling suspension wires, wrap them around the purlins.
Metal buildings can also look like wood-framed structures, both from the inside and out. Whatever style and look you want, they can all be achieved with metal buildings.
Archive for April 2nd, 2012
Interior Finishing Options for Metal Buildings
Monday, April 2nd, 2012Creating Noise-Proof Metal Buildings
Monday, April 2nd, 2012Sound, in general, is any vibration transmitted through some medium. Noise, however, is simply unwanted and intrusive sound that often interferes with communication, especially in an office setting.
Sound, when propagated by a medium such as air, expands equally in all directions. This is why noise control is especially important for wide spaces, such as metal buildings used as warehouses, manufacturing plants, and the like.
Previously, I talked about the points you have to watch out for, in the aptly titled article “Know When It’s Time for Noise Control”. So once you’ve gone through the fundamental steps, now you only have to worry about installing your noise control systems.
For metal buildings, you always have the choice between do-it-yourself installation and hiring an expert to do the job for you. Both materials have been tried, tested, and proven effective, depending of course on the extent of the project.
If you’re trying to soundproof your personal studio at home, you might consider doing it yourself. Installing soundproof wall systems actually requires only a few tools. In fact, an electric drill, tin snips, and hole saws will allow you to get the job done in no time.
The beauty of metal buildings truly lies in their flexibility. Imagine, you can further customize your space by simply trimming panels to appropriate lengths, drilling a few holes, and fastening furring strips and carriers to your wall. And voila! You have yourself a soundproof room.
On the other hand, if we’re talking large scale projects such as industrial metal buildings, I suggest you don’t think twice about asking for professional help. For example, most contractors know best about resilient channel applications. In fact, many of them don’t need any special tools to do the installation and they can even finish the job faster than if you would do it yourself, or if you’d choose a different noise control solution. Resilient channel applications require certain angles and measurements during installation in order to perform at its best. For instance, the metal-to-metal contact should be minimized in order to ensure that the sound vibrations are also diminished.
Nowadays, combining noiseproof solutions for both walls and ceilings is increasingly becoming popular for metal buildings. In general, it is best if you ask expert for advice before proceeding with any installations, in order to maximize your return on investment.