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Benefits of Pre-Engineered Buildings: A Comprehensive Guide

 

Pre-engineered buildings, often called PEBs, have become a game-changer in the construction world. These structures offer many advantages that have made them increasingly popular among professionals in construction, architecture, engineering, and property ownership. In this guide, we will take a deep dive into the world of pre-engineered buildings, exploring their benefits and applications in pre-engineered construction.

Advantages of Pre-Engineered Buildings

Cost Efficiency

One of the most compelling reasons to consider pre-engineered buildings is their cost efficiency. Traditional construction projects often face unexpected costs and delays, but PEBs provide a more predictable and straightforward process. A close look at cost savings shows that pre-engineered buildings can reduce overall construction costs by up to 30%. This cost reduction happens for several reasons, including:

  • Material Efficiency: PEBs are designed very precisely, which reduces material waste. This means you use fewer construction materials, saving money.
  • Lower Labor Costs: PEBs are designed for quick assembly, which means less time spent on labor and lower costs.
  • Faster Project Completion: PEBs are known for their shorter construction timelines, which means less money spent on labor and equipment over a shorter period.

Design Flexibility

Contrary to what some may think, pre-engineered buildings offer various customization options. For example, our parent company, MAR Building Solutions, a Butler Building partner, has built structures varying from single family homes to epic industrial buildings. Architects and designers can work within the framework of PEBs to create buildings that are both beautiful and functional. Design flexibility with PEBs includes:

  • Architectural Versatility: PEBs can look like traditional buildings with various façade treatments, finishes, and architectural details.
  • Customization: You can adjust building dimensions, interior layouts, and exterior looks to fit the specific needs of a project.

Structural Strength

Pre-engineered buildings are built with precision and meet strict quality standards. This results in strong and long-lasting structures, suitable for many uses. Key aspects of their structural strength include:

  • Precise Engineering: PEBs use computer-aided design (CAD) and engineering to make sure materials are used efficiently while keeping the structure strong.
  • Resisting Environmental Challenges: PEBs are designed to withstand things like earthquakes, harsh weather, and other environmental challenges, ensuring safety and durability. With steel having the higher strength-to-weight ratio of all construction materials, it reduces the load on frames and foundation while maintaining incredible strength.

Sustainability

Sustainability is a big concern in construction today, and pre-engineered buildings help in several ways:

  • Energy Efficiency: PEBs can include energy-saving features like insulated wall and roof panels, as well as natural lighting, which reduces energy use. Butler buildings in particular have patented insulation technology that ranges their wall and roofing lines helping them achieve r-values up to R-32, which is incredibly high heat resistance for walls.
  • Long-lasting materials: Butler uses metal construction made to last decades, and with its modular construction, maintenance is easier to isolate. Butler offers a 20 year warranty on weathertightness and Butler’s infamous paint, ButlerCote, carries a 25 year warranty against excessive chalking. Talk about long-lasting. 

Speed of Construction

Time is valuable in construction and can become a major factor in cost, especially when things are delayed. Pre-engineered buildings are much faster to build and have a more reliable timeline do to the nature of their assembly - The building components have already been made, they effectively just needs assembly:

  • Faster Project Completion: PEBs are designed and prefabricated in advance, reducing the time needed for construction by as much as 50% and reducing the chance for things going sideways on a project which would expand timelines. Shorter timeless = less workforce cost = less expensive project

Applications of Pre-Engineered Buildings

A. Commercial and Industrial

  • Warehouses and Distribution Centers
  • Manufacturing Facilities

B. Agricultural

  • Barns and Storage
  • Livestock Housing

C. Recreational

  • Sports Complexes
  • Exhibition Centers

D. Institutional

  • Schools and Educational Buildings
  • Healthcare Facilities

Common Concerns and Misconceptions

Durability

Some expect that if a structure is pre-engineered that could translate to a lack of durability. Truth is, if you work with a reputable company, such as Butler Manufacturing, durability is one of the benefits of getting a PEB. Butler has products still being implemented today that were originally introduced over 50 years ago. Some of Butler’s products, such as their MR24 roofing system can come with a 25 year warranty for weather-tightness. Patented weathertight paneling which covers a steel structure - durability is one thing you are buying with one of these PEBs.

Design Limitations

Some think that PEBs hold heavy design limitations, however, with PEBs modular building components, the design options really are endless. As shown above in the typical applications of pre-engineered buildings, the sky's the limit. And with the calculations, all the way down to the punch-holes, being done before construction starts, these designs are more efficiently built and with less headaches. 

Maintenance and Repairs

Some think that because these aren’t typical structures you see in a neighborhood, they might be harder to maintain. Not so. In fact, that’s our business. We supply everything from wall panels down to screws for Butler buildings. So if your building was hit with hail and roof panels need to be replaced, it’s no problem. Or if you have a wall panel that was damaged, Butler MFG Parts is here to assist, making sure you get the right one. 

 

Have a Butler building that you are working on and need some guidance? Give us a shout! We are here to help.

Email us at sales@butlermfgparts.com