Sustainability of Butler Manufacturing Buildings
Sustainability and energy efficiency are at the heart of Butler Manufacturing's building designs. In this article, we'll cover how Butler's products and practices benefit both the environment and building owners.
Sustainable Materials and Practices
Butler Manufacturing uses many sustainable materials and practices to reduce its environmental impact. One key method is using recycled steel in its structures.
Steel is 100% recyclable.
Butler frames have 74.6% recycled content, with 48.4% from post-consumer materials and 26.2% from pre-consumer materials. This reduces waste and the need for new raw materials, making Butler buildings more sustainable.
Butler’s commitment to green building is also seen in their regional manufacturing strategy. Butler Manufacturing has ten plants strategically spread throughout North America:
- Pennsylvania
- Washington
- Wisconsin
- Tennessee
- North Carolina
- Mexico
- Texas
- Missouri
- Alabama
- California
By producing closer to building sites, transportation energy costs are lowered, reducing their environmental impact.
Energy-Efficient Building Systems
Butler Manufacturing offers many energy-efficient systems that help lower energy use and utility costs. A great example is the MR-24 roof system. The iconic roof has been installed on over 2 billion square feet of buildings since 1969 and can last over 45 years with little maintenance. Its design allows for thermal expansion and contraction, reducing the risk of leaks and improving energy efficiency.
Butler also offers cool roof finish options that meet Energy Star® standards. These roof coatings reflect more sunlight and absorb less heat, keeping buildings cooler and reducing air conditioning costs. For instance, the Cool Solar White finish on the MR-24 roof system has a Solar Reflectance Index (SRI) of 87, which is significantly higher than the industry standard, making it a top choice for energy-efficient buildings. Check out our article on Butler-Cote for more information on this.
LEED Certification and Green Building
Using Butler components can help buildings achieve LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification, a mark of sustainability excellence.
Butler’s products contribute to various LEED credits, such as:
- Materials and Resources (MR) Credit 4: Recycled Content - High recycled content can earn 1-2 points.
- Sustainable Sites Credit 7.2: Heat Island Effect - Roof - Cool roof systems help reduce the heat island effect, promoting safer habitats and microclimates.
Butler also supports the LEED initiative by offering online courses on sustainability and lifecycle costing for metal roofs. These courses provide valuable training for architects, engineers, and customers.
Innovative Products and Technologies
Butler Manufacturing invests in research and development to make their products more sustainable. The Butler Research Center, established in 1959, tests materials and systems to ensure high performance and sustainability. This includes testing for thermal performance, weather resistance, and durability.
Commitment to Sustainability
Butler Manufacturing's commitment to sustainability goes beyond their products. Each Butler facility has received the National Safety Council’s Occupational Excellence Achievement Award for maintaining safe and efficient production environments. This commitment ensures that Butler remains a leader in sustainable building solutions.
Wrapping Up
Butler Manufacturing's focus on sustainability and energy efficiency shines through in their use of recycled materials, smart manufacturing locations, and innovative building systems. At ButlerMFGParts.com, we are proud to support these green efforts by offering high-quality parts that help make buildings more sustainable and energy-efficient. By choosing Butler products, you are not only getting great performance and durability but also helping the environment.