Chevelle Development Group, LLC

BEST WAY TO COOL METAL BUILDINGS DURING AN ARIZONA SUMMER

scott@chevelledevelopmentgroup.com — Wed, 09 Nov 2022 21:47:53 +0000

So, you’ve opted for a steel building for domestic or business use. Whether its purpose is storage, retail, manufacturing, or even to house a shooting range, you’re likely to want to keep it cool inside when the sun is beating down.

You may have had experiences of working or shopping in a steel structure when the temperatures start to climb, but things have changed. There are ways of staying cool and comfortable when you’re under that steel roof.

Energy Efficiency Building Codes

Before we start, it’s worth mentioning that in many countries, there is a formulated and agreed set of Energy Efficiency Building Codes (EEBC) that are administered by government energy departments. In the USA, this responsibility is devolved and administered at the state level, including in Arizona.

These codes consider the local climate, temperature ranges, and extremes of weather and temperature. The most efficient building insulation methods can then be determined and applied. Without going into detail, the point here is that help and advice are readily available.

Methods for Keeping Cool

Let’s look at several options for keeping the inside of your steel building cool and comfortable.

Roof Color

Darker colors absorb heat, while lighter colors will reflect heat. Paints are widely available for roof coating, including some that are specifically designed to do this job. These specialist paints are available in many colors, although light colors are still the most effective.

Roof Insulation

Roof insulation may seem an obvious solution, but it can come in many forms and range of materials. It must keep you cool in the summer and stop heat from escaping during the colder months. This is where the EEBC comes into play.

The Energy Efficiency Building Code for the area in which your building is located will largely determine the level and type of insulation you require. Talk to the Arizona Department for Energy to get expert help and advice. They have an active program to increase energy efficiency in the state.

Windows and Doors

Your windows and doors will offer little resistance to heat and sunlight without some intervention. There are things you can do to improve this, the obvious of which is to keep window blinds closed. In addition, you can install overhangs and awnings above windows and doors that will cast a shadow and protect them from direct sunlight.

You can install reflective coatings on the glass, which typically come in the shape of an easy-to-apply film. Another way of shielding doors and windows against direct sunlight is to plant trees that cast an appropriate shadow. This will have the bonus of creating a nicer and more ecological working environment.

Heating and Ventilation (HVAC)

Heating and ventilation may seem obvious, but its installation and proper maintenance are not to be taken lightly.

A specialist will design the system to optimize airflow throughout the building so that every corner of the premises gets an equal and regular feed of reconditioned warm or cool air. Filters should be regularly cleaned or changed and temperature regulating thermostats checked and, if necessary, recalibrated.

Poor maintenance mustn’t cause the system to fight against itself, thereby reducing its efficiency. It is also a good idea to instill a culture amongst staff that the HVAC should not be tampered with. For example, taped-up vents will not only create inefficiencies but will result in some people getting an increased or reduced ventilation feed.

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HOW EQUESTRIAN CENTERS IN COLORADO ARE PAYING OFF THEIR RIDING ARENAS BY RENTING OUT STALLS

scott@chevelledevelopmentgroup.com — Wed, 09 Nov 2022 21:44:22 +0000

LOCAL LOOK – WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU

Wherever there is money to be made in renting out space for special-purpose activities, there will be businesses that spring up to meet the market demand. This is no more true than in the equestrian industry, where horse enthusiasts are able to rely on horse lodging and care facilities for short-term boarding, long-term homes for their horses, riding accommodations, and much more.

This trend is catching on elsewhere in the country, too, and steel buildings are the perfect solution for equestrian centers that want to maximize the return on their steel building investment.

The Colorado Equestrian Center in Littleton, Colorado is doing something more and more commercial horse operations are doing: they’re paying down the mortgage on their steel building faster by renting out stalls for horse boarding.

This is not necessarily a new phenomenon, but it is something that caught our eye here at Capital Steel Industries. We love to see our steel building clients make creative use out of the structures they invest so heavily in, and what’s happening throughout Colorado is a great indication that this sort of business model is not only viable, it’s highly, highly profitable.

Planning for Growth from the Start

When designing a steel building of any size and for any purpose, it is crucial to know what every square foot is going to be used for before breaking ground on the project. Equestrian centers have unique needs, especially when there’s an indoor riding arena that is specified as part of the overall steel building floor plan.

The great news for those looking to build an equestrian center is that steel-framed buildings allow for much larger interior spans that are free from obtrusive supports. This allows for uninterrupted riding space that can be used for barrel racing, horse shows, livestock auctions, and much more.

But, the utility of steel doesn’t stop there. When a person or company begins conceptualizing the business model for a new equestrian center, it helps to bake in the ability to obtain revenue from multiple sources. For equestrian centers in Colorado, these sources include:

One-time, weekly, monthly, or yearly facility use fees. Not every horse rider needs or even wants their horse to be boarded full-time at an equestrian center. They may want to use it just for the day, or perhaps as-needed on a monthly basis. Equestrian center owners are able to right-size their membership fees and allow their customers to have customized access to their steel-built equestrian center.
Retail sales. Horse tack includes equipment and accessories that are unique to the activity of horse riding, be it Western or English. Halters, leads, saddles, pads, and more are all in high demand by horse riders, and many equestrian centers are able to offer retail sales of such goods in the same complex where the riding arena is located.
Horse stall rentals. Typically, a horse is provided with a single stall, and it’s owner is given access to the horse during normal business hours. In addition, access to trails, a pasture or the arena is often included.

In Colorado, the market will bear a cost of boarding averaging between $400 to $500 per month. However, in metropolitan areas, some horse stall rental rates can break the $1,500 per month mark. Furthermore, premium services like mucking, feeding, and turning out a horse to pasture may not be included in the stall rental price.

Why Steel Horse Facilities Are More Profitable

Not only does a steel-framed structure allow for a larger, more accessible indoor riding arena, the modular design also allows for easier integration of attached horse stalls, grooming areas, tack and feed rooms, and more.

It’s no wonder that the vast majority of indoor riding arenas in Colorado and throughout the US are constructed using steel as the primary framing material. The overall construction timeline is shorter, the cost to insure the building is less compared with traditional alternatives, and steel equestrian centers are much more energy efficient, a feature which is especially valuable in places like Colorado where the temperature can swing wildly.

At Capital Steel Industries, we specialize in matching qualified steel building contractors with steel building buyers who need their services. If you’re a contractor interested in joining our network, or if you’re in the market for a new steel building and want to explore your options, contact us today.

With a high-quality, long-lasting steel building, there’s virtually no business goal you can’t accomplish.

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WHY STEEL WORKS SO WELL FOR INDOOR SHOOTING RANGES

scott@chevelledevelopmentgroup.com — Wed, 09 Nov 2022 21:42:17 +0000

LOCAL LOOK – WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU

Recreational firearm shooting is more popular in the US than in any other country, whether that be for sport, profession, or simply fun. There are many shooting ranges throughout the country, with some states having better availability than others. State legislature policy around gun control is the key factor that affects the prevalence of shooting ranges. However, it’s a big market with potentially lucrative opportunities for anyone considering opening and operating a shooting range.

Depending upon local market demand, climate, and available real estate, the choice of whether to open an outdoor or indoor shooting range is about the only big decision that needs to be made, second of course to choosing the building material. This article explores the many benefits that a steel building provides when it is built as an indoor firing range.

So, you’ve decided to operate an indoor shooting range.

It’s likely you based your decision on several criteria, such as:

Being able to set up your range in or near other buildings or highways
Guaranteeing availability night and day, and in any weather conditions
The ability to include additional services, such as retailing clothing or shooting equipment
The flexibility to operate separate areas for weapon type, target type, shooting distance, and competition

Commercial buildings come in all shapes and sizes and are constructed using a wide variety of materials. You may choose to locate your indoor range in an existing “brick and mortar” building.

However, if you plan to take on an existing property, ask yourself the following:

Is it big enough?
Is the layout convenient?
Can it be easily outfitted with equipment and infrastructure (soundproofing, ventilation, etc.)?
Can it be repurposed if I upgrade or sell and move on?
How safe and secure is it?
Will it stand up to extreme weather?

Steel answers the call for those looking to commission new construction of an indoor shooting range.

We’ll answer why by taking another look at the questions listed above.

Is it Big Enough?

If you take on an existing “bricks and mortar” building, you pretty much have to work with what you’ve got. It will be a particular size and shape, with inherent load-bearing walls that will be difficult to remove.

With a steel building, the framing allows for long, spanless interiors (up to 200’). Therefore, the internal partitioning can be however you want it. And, it can be big—really big—giving you some of the advantages of an outdoor range without the disadvantages.

If you decide that the partitioning needs to be modified for some reason, it’s easily done, without compromising the building’s structural integrity.

Is the Layout Convenient?

As your business grows, you may need a reconfiguration of the premises or even an extension. This is easily done with a prefabricated steel building. In fact, it’s even possible to install a second-floor mezzanine using the base structure you started with.

Can it be Easily Outfitted with Equipment and Infrastructure?

By its very nature, the framework of a steel building lends itself ideally for attaching internal cladding for heat and sound insulation as well as peripheral systems like lighting, moveable target runners, ballistic arrestors (for catching and collecting spent ammunition), and heating and ventilation (HVAC) equipment.

Can it be Repurposed if I Upgrade or Sell and Move On?

Your steel building fundamentally consists of a modular frame with metal cladding. Any accessory components that are built onto these fundamentals can be reconfigured or removed at any time. Therefore, if or when you decide to move on, perhaps to bigger and grander premises, the next owner will be able to reconfigure and repurpose the building for their business requirement.

Due to its versatility and configurability, a steel-structured building makes for a very sound investment.

How Safe and Secure is it?

Being primarily made of steel, your new indoor shooting range will be structurally impervious to fire. A fire might cause superficial damage, but you are very unlikely to lose the building itself. Also, the building’s significant structural strength will make burglary and theft far less likely, as well.

Will it Stand Up to Extreme Weather?

A steel-framed and metal clad building is about as robust as you are going to get. Bring on the hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, and earthquakes. Chances are, your steel-built shooting range will still be standing when other less substantial buildings have yielded.

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WHY CITIES IN ARIZONA ARE TURNING TO STEEL BUILDINGS FOR INDOOR DOG PARKS

scott@chevelledevelopmentgroup.com — Wed, 09 Nov 2022 21:36:12 +0000

LOCAL LOOK – WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU

With as cost-effective and easy-to-build as steel buildings have become, it’s no wonder dog parks are being brought indoors in warmer parts of the country.

We’re noticing an evolving trend of dog parks making this transition as the mercury rises more each year. Say what you will about the severity or reality of climate change…Fido and his friends need a safe, cool place to run around in the hot summers, and steel buildings fit the bill.

If you live in Arizona (or even if you’ve ever been there in the summers), you know how hot it can get.

At its hottest, the state can easily reach temperatures exceeding 106°F, a troublesome fact for dog owners. Cities across the state including Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Tucson are making the move to indoor dog parks in an effort to provide spacious, climate-controlled areas where dogs can run free and play without the worry of overheating.

It’s important to remember that when it comes to cooling themselves off naturally, dogs are not like humans. They don’t sweat, and instead of using their skin as a radiator like we do, dogs rely on panting to cool themselves off. While this natural adaptation is effective in most environments, it’s just not enough to keep the heat at bay when summertime temps hit their highest in Arizona.

Because of the many beneficial features of steel buildings, more and more steel-built indoor dog parks are being erected throughout Arizona. Compared with wood-framed buildings, the advantages steel has make the use case for steel indoor dog parks a no-brainer.

Why Steel Is the Framing Material of Choice

Indoor dog parks in Arizona need to be big. And, they need to have plenty of column-free interior spans that allow for dogs to run around and chase each other without obstructions. For these reasons, a steel-framed building is much more suitable.

When properly engineered, a steel building can be built with support-free interior spans as long as 300’ in length. This gives property owners a lot more flexibility in how they design the floor plan, and the users of the indoor dog park have a lot more breathing (and barking!) room.

Another outstanding advantage of steel over wood framing is the shortened construction timeline. Compared with traditional buildings, a steel-framed indoor dog park is likely to be built as much as 40% faster. This allows the property owner to grant access to customers sooner, and the return on the building investment can be recouped faster, as well.

‘Spot’ Light on Energy Efficiency

Another little-known fact about industrial-grade steel buildings is their uncanny ability to be effectively climate controlled using minimal resources.

For indoor dog parks, this is key. When the heat is on in Arizona and dogs need a cool place to frolic, a steel building is going to do a much better job at circulating cool air provided by the building’s HVAC system.

But why is this? Aren’t wood-framed buildings also equally capable of being cooled down in hotter parts of the country? Not necessarily.

Because of the modular nature of steel framing, HVAC equipment like air chillers, condensers, and blowers can be installed in more optimal locations. And, without all of the structural supports that a wood-framed building would need, the air is circulated more evenly. This reduces the cost of ownership for the property owner while maintaining an ideal indoor environment for patrons of the indoor dog park.

Flexible Floor Plans Make the Grade

Some indoor dog parks have annexed grooming areas and kennels. These additional spaces can be easily integrated into the overall floor plan in a way that allows for a smooth flow of operation for the park.

And, when the temperatures drop again in the fall and winter, indoor dog parks can take advantage of oversized framed portals that can allow dogs to go in and out of the building easier.

When you consider how liberating a steel building floor plan is and combine that with the shortened construction timeline, you begin to realize just how ideal steel framing is for indoor dog parks.

At Capital Steel Industries, we’re glad to see steel buildings being used in this way. It’s great for the property owners, the customers, and the dogs themselves.

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