Innovation in the commercial construction industry has seen leaps and bounds in recent years, with many new and exciting products available for builders to choose from. Whether you’re looking to improve the eco-friendliness of your building, the energy efficiency, or the aesthetic, there are plenty of options at your disposal.
Commercial buildings, in particular, have unique requirements that you might be looking to address, so in case you’re constructing a new commercial building, here are some innovative projects you might want to implement.
1. Pre-Engineered Buildings
With lumber prices on the rise, there’s never been a better time to look for different materials to use in the construction process. Many commercial buildings are built with wood frames, but a steel building is the better option right now.
Using a pre-engineered steel building is cheaper than having a wood-framed building built from the ground up, and much faster to install as well. These buildings are already built before they’re delivered and are made from almost entirely steel.
One of the best reasons to use a pre-engineered steel building instead of a more traditional type of building is that if you want to re-purpose the building for whatever reason, it can be done with ease.
They also stay cooler in the summer because they reflect the sun’s rays. This energy efficiency and versatility is why new commercial building owners are opting for pre-engineered steel buildings over regular wood-framed ones.
2. Acoustic Optimization
Optimizing the inside of your commercial building best for the best sound flow possible is ideal if you want to facilitate good communication. Acoustic sound panels can help you do just that, by blocking, bouncing, and canceling sound to your liking. Arktura, for example, offers the highest-quality acoustic panels on the market.
They have a wide variety of different panels to suit any acoustic needs you may have, and all of their products have an excellent NRC rating as well. Arktura also uses a more accurate NRC rating system that takes into account more variables than traditional ratings do.
3. Prefab Construction
Prefab construction is popular right now because it reduces installation time and saves money. Prefab construction is also safer to install, helps keep the workplace cleaner, provides better materials, costs less, and produces less waste during the installation process.
4. Exterior Additions
Adding architectural grilles to your commercial building is an innovative way to add privacy, reduce noise, and improve ventilation as well. These grilles come in a variety of different styles to fit your preferred aesthetic and help to protect your windows from insects and debris.
5. Steel Windows
If your commercial building is in an urban area, you might want to consider installing historic steel windows as a safety precaution. These windows are made from steel and designed to add both beauty and safety to any building. They are perfect for commercial buildings and the advanced criteria that windows need to meet on such buildings.
6. Permeable Pavers
Traditional asphalt and concrete parking lots and paved areas are costly, fragile, and require additional drainage methods in many cases. One innovative solution to this is the use of permeable pavers.
Generally made from 100% plastic, these pavers can possess up to 98% permeability and completely eliminate the need for additional drainage features like drainage grates and/or a retention pond.
They can be filled with many different colors and types of gravel for aesthetic flexibility and the finished product looks very clean-cut, albeit unique. One of the main benefits of using permeable pavers in your commercial parking lot is that there are almost no maintenance requirements and many lots will last upwards of 50 years before needing replacement.
The installation process for the pavers is another reason they are becoming a popular choice for commercial parking lots. Many projects can be completed in a few days, if not sooner. The equipment needed is minimal and the entire process is very simple.
Stay Ahead of the Curve with these Innovative Commercial Building Projects
If you want to keep up with today’s hottest commercial building trends, the six we’ve listed here are a great place to start. By installing architectural grilles, steel windows, permeable pavement, and acoustic sound panels, you can optimize your commercial building from head to toe.
Also, for maximum value and versatility, consider using a pre-engineered steel building. Pre-fab construction is another way to quicken the construction process, keep things organized, save money, and be more eco-friendly as well. By implementing one or more of these projects, you can reap the benefits and stay ahead of your competition too.
Brian Jeffries is the content director for the Innovative Building Materials blog and a content writer for the building materials industry. He is focused on helping fellow homeowners, contractors, and architects discover materials and methods of construction that save money, improve energy efficiency, and increase property value.
