According to paint manufacturer Sherwin-Williams, the most popular colors for commercial buildings continue to be neutrals and whites that are accented by daring shades. It’s the corporate equivalent, according to Sherwin-Williams of having an orange door.
Meanwhile, if you have a metal building used for agriculture, the most popular colors are what Sherwin-Williams calls, “the colors of sustainability.” We already know that steel is one of the most recyclable materials on the planet, so colors that complement those prevalent in nature just makes sense.
Why Color Matters
It’s more than just what meets the eye. Selecting an exterior color appropriate for your area can also help you reduce overall energy consumption and make your DIY prefabricated metal and steel building more eco-friendly.
Darker exterior colors tend to absorb the energy from the sun, while lighter colors tend to reflect both the light and associated heat. If this energy is absorbed by your building, it’s transferred to the interior.
While color plays an important role, so does the material you choose. For example, standard metal is an efficient transmitter of temperature. A heavier material like brick or stone will block the energy transfer and keep your interior cooler during those hot summer months.
How the Right Color Saves Dollars and Makes Sense
Insurance giant Allstate recently looked into how much of a difference the choice of an exterior color can make a difference in energy efficiency. They were quick to point out that their findings agreed with Department of Energy’s (DOE) Cooling Your Home Naturally report.
Dark, dull colors have been shown to absorb up to 90 percent of the sun’s radiant energy. It gets transferred into your building, and then you’ve got to find ways to compensate. If, however, you choose a light exterior color to reflect that solar energy, you won’t have to work so hard to keep things cool.
Okay, yes. White can be boring.
It’s why a growing number of people are choosing Miracle Truss® building designs. Remember that dense building materials like stone or brick soak up heat and hold it longer without transferring it inward. This can also help keep your building warmer in the winter because the energy is captured and held by the brick or stone.
Our design options allow you to make truss-only orders, which let you finish your exterior with the material of your choice. It’s easy to go with exterior side walls made of brick, or even vinyl.
Find out how affordable our buildings can be. Request a free quote.
