Why You Need a Metal Building in the Southeast

Why Steel Buildings for the Southeast?

Most Billion Dollar Weather Events
Infographic

Hospitality, Football and Storms

The Southeast is known for a few things: hearty meals, warm hospitality and a passion for high-stakes college football. But when it comes to constructing new buildings in the region, it’s important to take notice of another well-known, more dangerous feature of the Southeast: severe weather.

Heavy rain, record floods and hurricane-force winds are an unfortunate trend in the Southeastern United States, especially for states along the Gulf and Atlantic coasts. Residents of this region face the biggest risk of costly property damage, total loss of property or displacement. Let’s take a look at why these risks are likely to increase and the importance of metal buildings for people like Johnny in North Carolina as well as other high-risk areas, such as Florida, Georgia, Alabama, and other surrounding states.

Rising Temperatures + Water Vapor = More Severe Weather

Areas like Florida, Georgia, Alabama are experiencing significantly more costly storms.

The Earth is getting warmer every year, and while there are debates as to why that’s happening, there is no debate that these higher temperatures are having a serious effect on the climate. As temperatures rise, more ocean water evaporates and is stored in the atmosphere as water vapor. These increased levels of water vapor create conditions more favorable to severe weather, including high-volume rain storms that can last for days, and even weeks.

These types of storms can lead to dangerous flooding, much like we saw recently in southeast Louisiana, where seven people died and 15,000 homes and businesses were destroyed. Unfortunately, the number of these intense storms will likely increase as temperatures continue to rise in this region and around the world.

Designed to Endure Storms

While droughts in the Midwest, heavy snow throughout the Rock Mountain region and earthquakes along the West Coast can cause billions of dollars in damage, the Southeast has seen significantly more billion dollar weather events since 1980. The damage from hurricanes in this area can be lessened by choosing to build an I-beam building rather than other types of steel structures. This is because prefab buildings are designed with the expectation of a severe weather event and engineered to endure these types of storms.

Looking Ahead

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) recently released a report that predicts 5-8 hurricanes and 12-17 tropical storms for the upcoming hurricane season. That would make it the most active season since 2012, when Hurricane Sandy wreaked havoc on the Atlantic Coast.

“We’re seeing fewer hurricanes, but the ones we do see are more intense.”

Jim Elsner: National Typhoon Center

With temperatures trending upward, it’s likely these storms will increase in number and intensity in the coming years. If you’re in the market for a new building in the Southeast, a metal building is clearly the safest and most reliable choice.

Our Hurricane Structures

Comparing Engineering Standards

So what are the demands of your project? As we’ve discussed before, metal building costs are dependent on your location, the intended use and the current price of steel. The chart below demonstrates how one part of the equation (location) can cost more to engineer for in one region as opposed to another.

Metal Building Costs 101

Wind 90-130 mph

Seismic 34/10

Wind 140-160 mph

Seismic Very Low

Wind 115-140 mph

Seismic 10/7

Wind 90-140 mph

Seismic 30/10

How Metal Buildings Reduce Risk

As we’ve seen in the last decade, the severe weather in the Southeast is a serious matter with real, long-lasting consequences. But you do have options when it comes to protecting your property and equipment. And while we can’t guarantee that your facility will survive a historic weather event, we do offer a 50 year warranty and many of our steel building structures have endured hurricanes in recent years. We can however guarantee you that when compared to other building materials, a steel building gives you the best chance of full recovery. This is why:

Strength to Weight Ratio: Steel has the highest strength-to-weight ratio of any construction material.
Wind Resistance: Steel performs well under high winds because of its ductility, which is the ability to bend without breaking

General Steel Buildings vs Wood Buildings

Why Buildings Cost More in the Southeast

A metal building engineered for Missouri would most likely cost less than a building engineered for the Southeast. This is true even though Missouri has a seismic rating of 250/100 and a wind speed of 90 mph. This because in most cases, it costs more to engineer for wind speeds than it does for seismic activity. In either case, the money associated with engineering the building correctly is a good investment when it comes to the longevity of the building.

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Why Steel Buildings for the Southeast?

Most Billion Dollar Weather Events

Comparing Engineering Standards

Alabama

Florida

Georgia

North Carolina

Why Buildings Cost More in the Southeast

Ready to Design Your Building?
Use Our 3D Designer Request Your Quote.

Price Your Building3 Easy Steps

1-800-745-2685Call Now

Why Steel Buildings for the Southeast?

Most Billion Dollar Weather Events

Comparing Engineering Standards

Alabama

Florida

Georgia

North Carolina

Why Buildings Cost More in the Southeast

Ready to Design Your Building?Use Our 3D Designer Request Your Quote.

Price Your Building3 Easy Steps

1-800-745-2685Call Now

Ready to Design Your Building?
Use Our 3D Designer Request Your Quote.