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Our founder, Joss Hudson, was featured as a columnist in Northbay Biz.

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Featured in Northbay Biz

Navigating the current construction marketplace will take patience and planning. Contractors are experiencing price increases in almost every building-related product in the industry, due to market forces and new tariffs. The California real estate and construction market was very busy before we lost more than 10,000 structures to the destructive wildfires of 2017. Now is an optimal time to build, and people need a new way to erect more durable structures for our communities.

The design/build experience should be an enjoyable and creative process, as clients are literally manifesting their vision into a physical reality. To do this successfully requires a team of people who are provided with clear instructions and expectations, including a detailed building plan and a total construction budget to start with. If local construction costs are averaging around $400 per square foot, then common sense would suggest that to reduce costs, the building should be smaller in size. However, square footage costs alone are not a construction budget, nor a factor to solely make decisions from; devising an actual, realistic budget number is the only way to be clear about expectations. To complete a successful building project in California, there are many additional soft cost items that contribute to the total budget, including engineering calcs, site plans, mechanical plans, interior finish plans, lighting plans, landscape plans and more. This is not a market that is favorable to an owner-builder since the sub-contractors are all very busy, so clients will need a general contractor with a good team in place to successfully finish a project.

Meeting code requirements
The first step in building any structure is to finalize a set of schematic plans so that everyone involved in the project has a clear vision of what is going to be constructed. Sonoma and Napa Counties require that all new structures meet current building code and fire code requirements. Before engaging in a design/build project, a clear understanding of construction budgets and schedules should be discussed. In many cases, people will begin to design a structure with no relationship to cost constraints, only to discover what the real costs are after the design is completed or, in some cases, after the design has already been permitted. In addition to having a well thought-out design, it’s important to consult with local builders to confirm average construction costs in the area.

The local Building Department will require that all code compliant items are addressed prior to receiving a certificate of occupancy on a structure. In addition to recent Title 24 California Energy Code changes and fire code updates, the guidance of an experienced and licensed architect and general contractor will help reduce the confusion as well. The reality is that the majority of structures that were lost in last year’s fires will have to be redesigned to comply with the current 2018 building code requirements.

Construction technology
The loss of life and property during the 2017 wildfires has created an awareness in the private and public sectors about the need for improvements in construction technology. Wildland Urban Interface Fire Area Zones have been established and new building code requirements are in place for these areas. There is a requirement for all roof and wall surfaces to maintain a minimum ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) Fire Rating, and for eave and soffit vents to either be eliminated or incorporate specialized fire-resistant features to keep burning embers from entering the structure. ASTM is an international standards organization that develops and publishes voluntary consensus technical standards for a wide range of materials, products, systems and services.

It is possible to build traditional or modern designs with new construction products that are more energy efficient and fire resistant than before. For example, there are steel and cement panels that look like wood-grain planks that can now be used instead of highly flammable cedar shake or shiplap lumber siding. Asphalt shingles are also highly flammable and should be a roofing product of the past; newer composite materials or metal roofing options are available that have a satisfactory ASTM Fire Rating. Every future structure should have solar panels integrated into the design, in alignment with California’s recently initiated Zero Net Energy mandate for residential construction by 2020, which is right around the corner. All new commercial construction must be Zero Net Energy by 2030.

The future of construction
To substantiate the need for better and safer structures for residential and commercial buildings, we can refer to the success of steel and glass buildings of the last century. The future of construction is clearly headed toward steel systems, as the modern world is building bridges, skyscrapers, automobiles, airplanes, trains, and machinery, all with metal alloy construction.

There is no doubt that wooden bridges will not be built as government infrastructure projects, nor will lumber-framed transportation methods be explored in the years to come. The Colonial Era of America is well behind us. It is time to start embracing the future of modern construction.

Joss Hudson is the CEO and founder of EcoSteel, a supplier of modern, prefabricated and preinsulated steel building materials that are eco-friendly, durable and economical. EcoSteel works with architects, builders and property owners to create a value-driven approach to steel construction. For more information, visit www.ecosteel.com. You can reach Joss at (800) 587-6604 or email info@ecosteel.com.

EcoSteel specializes in new luxury residential, commercial and retail architectural metal buildings in California. No project is too complex. We work with architects, builders and property owners to create a value-driven approach to prefab steel structures.

These days, construction standards are higher than ever. Great building projects should now excel not only in terms of beautiful aesthetics and functional design, but also in sustainability and resilience.

To achieve this level of excellence, you need to choose building materials that directly contribute to this goal. This is what makes EcoSteel’s architectural insulated metal panels a favorite choice among those who are seeking durable, energy efficient, and eco-friendly products for their new construction projects.

Sustainable Construction & Performance

EcoSteel’s architectural insulated metal panels can improve your project’s sustainability before they’re even installed. This is because the materials used to construct them are often largely recycled. Prefabricated steel, for example, is currently composed of up to 85% recycled material. Therefore, you can rest assured that you’re making a responsible choice with sustainably sourced insulated metal panels.

When it comes to energy performance, our panels stand out once again. Exceeding California’s strict energy requirements, they achieve maximized insulation levels of R49 while streamlining the installation process. Additionally, they are approved for LEED and other sustainability standards. All of this will allow you to enjoy the benefits of green credits on top of reduced utility bills.

Our Insulated Standing Seam Roof Panels, which are compatible with s-clip systems for attaching solar panels, eliminate the need for invasive installation techniques that cost extra effort, money, and time.

Strength & Resilience

For a material to be resilient, it must be able to withstand instances of extreme strain without compromising a building’s structural integrity, safety, or function. In this respect, our architectural insulated metal panels made from prefabricated steel offer outstanding performance.

Steel’s ductility gives it the flexibility needed to withstand strain. The ductility allows the steel to redistribute forces, preventing any one area from bearing too heavy of a load. In extreme conditions caused by hurricanes, earthquakes, or even man-made factors, steel can hold up better than many other materials.

Fire-safety is one particular area where steel panels excel. By replacing traditional, highly-combustible materials, fire resistant steel can minimize opportunities for fires to start and to spread. EcoSteel panels expand on this safety with a fire-resistant shell for added protection.

Overall, insulated metal panels are simply stronger and more durable than many traditional building materials. They can survive disasters with little to no damage, and even resist everyday wear and tear. Steel panels are immune from rotting, warping, and cracking. They’re also safe from termites and other pests, and are not degraded by humidity.

Enhance Your Project with Insulated Metal Panels

EcoSteel’s architectural insulated metal panels perform so well in these categories that they’re the perfect choice for improving your project’s design, sustainability and resilience. Here at EcoSteel, we specialize in creating top quality building products that fit applications of all types. Learn more about how our products can empower your project here: CONTACT US TODAY!

California’s New Building Codes Finally Catching up to Residential Steel Systems from 1950s Building Pioneers

California-based firm EcoSteel is leveraging the modern prefab housing movement with innovative building systems to meet zero net energy targets

The state of California has established an ambitious goal that by 2020, all new residential homes will meet zero net energy (ZNE) targets and produce at least as much energy as they consume. As builders and utilities scramble to find ways to meet the new zero net energy building codes in California, EcoSteel buildings have been meeting the targets from inception.

EcoSteel designs and builds, modern all steel and glass buildings that already meet California’s new ZNE requirements, and are the perfect solution for residential and commercial projects.

The California Energy Commission updates the Building Energy Efficiency Standards, or Title 24, of the California Building Standards Code every three years and is working to have the zero net energy measures built into the 2019 code cycle. “If a measure makes it into the code update, it has been shown to be cost effective and proved to be feasible in the marketplace,” says CEC Commissioner Andrew McAllister. “The zero net energy building concept is a compelling one: one can greatly reduce the footprint of one’s home through smart design and the use of clean technologies!”

EcoSteel’s smart design can save residential builders time and money, while meeting California’s ZNE targets.

With a nod to 1950s building pioneers Mies Van der Rohe, Le Corbusier, Eames, Frank Lloyd Wright and others who founded the modernist architecture movement, EcoSteel’s modern prefab homes feature cutting edge, contemporary designs that are durable and economical and offer unlimited design possibilities. Like the early building pioneers who utilized proven methods with steel and glass to design economical and efficient homes—including the iconic Case Study Homes which were experiments in modern, residential architecture—EcoSteel modern homes endure both for their style and their function. Sustainable materials like glass and steel provide a long-life cycle and are eco-friendly. Plus, they maintain exceptional energy performance, significantly reducing heating and cooling costs, while also meeting California’s zero net energy building code requirements. EcoSteel all steel and glass homes offer extraordinary views, bringing the outdoors in and providing an unparalleled connection to nature and the environment. Using a prefabricated and insulated system that eliminates the need for a host of traditional subcontractors, EcoSteel homes are also extremely cost-efficient, saving you both time and money.

Interested in how you can design and build your own unique and modern home that meets California’s energy efficiency goals?