Most people think that metal conducts heat and metal buildings can get too hot during the summer. While this may be true, metal buildings are designed to sluff off the heat and impede thermal energy from being transmitted to the interior surface. There are construction methods and accessories that you can choose to mitigate summertime temperatures and prevent your steel building from getting scorching hot.

You might be wondering how to keep your prefabricated steel building stay cool as the temperatures rise. These tips will keep you comfortable and improve energy efficiency inside your metal building:

Air Conditioning Units

Having a good air conditioning system can still help even if metal offers little resistance to heat transfer. If you have a smaller metal building, you will only need wall HVAC units. However, larger structures like metal warehouses and offices require centralized air conditioning systems to ensure cost efficiency and effectiveness. One advantage of a metal building is its endless customization options. You can freely choose the HVAC system for your metal building as early as the design phase.

Cool Metal Roofs

Unlike traditional roofing materials that heat up easily, cool metal roofing has solar reflectance features that help reduce the amount of heat transferred into the building. It helps eliminate heat gain that causes your HVAC system to overheat and burn out. 

Due to their reflective coatings, cool metal roofing addresses the “heat island effect” in cities and urban areas. The heat island effect involves the elevated temperatures in metropolitan areas as compared to their surrounding rural places. A coated metal roof can keep the roof surface temperature lower and dissipate heat.

Insulation in Walls and Ceilings

Used with your air conditioning unit, effective insulation will regulate the temperature regardless of the season. Adding insulation in walls and ceiling isn’t only used for keeping your metal building warm in the winter. It is also effective in cooling down your building by acting as a barrier that keeps the heat from entering inside. To reduce your heating and cooling bills, try upgrading the insulation to an R-Value rating according to the energy efficiency codes in your location. 

Radiant Barrier

Also called a vapor barrier, radiant barriers are a kind of insulation that is installed in attic spaces. It helps reduce the sun’s energy radiating through the panels while preventing heat gain and loss. Moreover, radiant barriers keep the interior of your metal building cooler and protect the sheet metal from trapped moisture and condensation.

Awnings and Metal Canopies

Doors and windows are where the most heat comes in and escapes from a home or commercial structure. Add awnings and canopies to protect your metal building from direct and overbearing sun rays. You may also install overhangs, window fans, and reflective windowpane glass to create shade and reduce solar heat gain. These cooling options can keep your building’s temperature from rising and give you control over solar heat gain.

Caulking and Weatherstripping

Heat escapes and cold air enters through any opening. Sealing gaps around windows and doors are considered a cost-efficient way to solve heat loss. Be sure to apply caulk and weatherstripping to keep hot air out and cool air in and lower your energy bills. A well-sealed metal building is not just energy-efficient but also more comfortable because it keeps out dirt, dust, noise, and moisture.

Cool Coating for Your Building’s Exterior

Since dark colors absorb a lot more heat than lighter ones, which is why it’s better to have lighter paint colors and coatings for your metal building. Lighter colors will reflect the light of the sun rather than absorb it. When you have lighter paint colors, the heat will not accumulate in the walls or inside of your metal building. Mitigate heat by using reflective coatings for your exterior walls, panels, cladding, roof, and other pre-engineered building parts.

Ventilation Systems

Aside from insulation, adequate ventilation is another way to ensure good air quality and keep temperatures to a comfortable level. Poor ventilation can lead to the build-up of moisture and your cooling system works harder. There are many energy-efficient ventilation systems such as:

  • Powered Exhaust Fans
  • Roof-Mounted Gravity Vents
  • Wind-Powered Turbine Vents
  • Air Filters
  • Dehumidifiers
  • HVAC Systems
  • Powered Fans
  • Gravity Vents
  • Turbine Vents
  • Dehumidifiers

Landscaping

Smart landscaping provides shade against direct and harsh sunlight. Lush trees and plants around your metal building can also dramatically cool down the structure’s surfaces. Aside from planting trees, you should add enough mulch to the soil to keep the ground cooler, especially during the summer months.

Energy-Efficient Lighting

Good lighting can instantly change the way your metal building looks. Unlike incandescent and fluorescent bulbs, LED lights offer superior light quality and energy efficiency. They also emit less heat other than other lighting options. LEDs are considered the most energy-efficient for metal buildings because they can make the structure cooler while reducing the carbon footprint. You can choose among hanging LEDs, mobile LED bulbs, LED panel lights for your metal building.

Let Us Put Together Your Steel Structure

Custom Metal Buildings of Midland is always ready to help you in regulating the temperature inside your pre-engineered metal building. When it comes to the best metal products and services, count on our team! We are your best choice for pre-engineered steel buildings in and around Texas!. Call us for an appointment!