Todd Gillman
Contributor
email: todd.innovativematerials@gmail.com
Whether you’re working on office buildings, a shopping center, a new hospital, or any number of other projects, commercial builders are always in the market for new and innovative building materials that will offer increased energy and cost efficiency without sacrificing style. Thanks to research and technology advancements, there are plenty of materials available today for the modern builder. While some of these advanced materials address needs like sustainability or energy conservation, others are designed to reduce costs while enhancing durability. In fact, many of the new materials on the market today accomplish all of those goals!
Let’s take a look at just a few of the innovative commercial building materials you might consider using for your next construction project.
1. Block Out Unwanted Sound with Acoustic Glass
Every builder knows that noise pollution from the external environment can cause a well-built structure to go from appealing to off-putting very quickly. From cars on a busy street to planes flying overhead, excess noise can quickly make for a distracting and unproductive workplace.
Whether you’re constructing a new building or renovating an existing structure, it’s important to take sound into consideration. Luckily, acoustic glass offers the perfect solution. Made from multiple panes of glass, glazed with a specific formula designed to help block out sound, acoustic glass is a simple way to give visual access to the outside world without bringing in all the noise. If you’re working in an area that has particularly high levels of environmental noise, like near the airport or a railway line, acoustic glass should be your first line of defense when creating a calm, welcoming atmosphere.
2. Save On Energy Costs with Radiant Floor Heating
Most commercial buildings use a forced-air system to heat and cool the space. The downside to forced air is that it’s often unsustainable, meaning that you will need to be constantly running the heater or air conditioner to keep a room at the desired temperature. Radiant floor heating is an innovative solution to this problem because it allows heat to fill a room slowly and consistently using minimal energy.
On top of being simple to install, effortless to run, and easy on the wallet, radiant floor heating is also compatible with a variety of flooring types so you can design and heat the space exactly the way you envisioned. Whether you intend to lay the floor with wood, tile, stone, laminate, carpet, or any other material, radiant floor heating gives you the freedom to design without limitations or constraints. This is ideal for unique projects as well as conventional office spaces.
There are two kinds of radiant floor heating systems including electric or water-based. The electric system heats wiring beneath the floor whereas the water systems pumps hot water through tubes which can be supplied by commercial tankless water heaters. Both are cost-effective alternatives to other pricier heating options.
3. Tankless Water Heaters
Speaking of tankless water heaters there is innovation happening there also.
As building technology keeps evolving, water heating systems have been stuck in the Dark Ages. Intellihot changes that: delivering endless hot water on demand while consuming less space and resources by every measure. These tankless systems use AI technology with learning capabilities, and IoT monitoring to create smart water heating systems.
Save space. Save energy. Eliminate downtime. Achieve all three advantages with new tankless commercial water heaters. These units allow you to conserve space by eliminating the need for redundant heaters/boilers and reducing or eliminating the need for storage tanks.
4. Seal Your Space Using Acoustic Ceiling Tiles
Acoustic ceiling tiles can be found in a variety of commercial spaces such as offices, schools, and restaurants because they are so effective at dampening noise and creating a quieter space. If you’re working in an area that will have high traffic, acoustic ceiling tiles offer a budget-friendly way to soften noise.
In the past, acoustic ceiling tiles were fairly limited in design, with most companies only offering a few sizes and colors of tiles. However, builders today have a wide variety of choices at their disposal when it comes to selecting ceiling tiles. In fact, they now come in a variety of shapes, sizes, textures, designs, and colors to match the specific architectural and interior design needs of your project.
5. Enhance Your Building’s Appearance with Architectural Metal Grilles
In today’s world, almost every building material can be used to advance the aesthetic of a space, even traditionally covered or hidden materials. Some architects and builders have even taken to showing off a building’s internal materials, such as pipes and support beams, making them an attractive feature of the building. The same can be said for metal grilles. Once only a functional part of the space, today, architectural metal grilles have taken on a new life as the central focal piece in many commercial buildings.
On top of adding design flair, architectural metal grilles can be used in any part of your building to give it a boost of style. From parking garages to elevators and meeting rooms to front desks, these metal grilles help designers give building their unique, artistic aesthetic for a cost-effective price.
The Bottom Line On Innovative Commercial Building Materials
Builders are always searching for ways to push the envelope with bold, daring designs, but that doesn’t mean you need to break the bank. Whether you’re looking to improve the functionality, performance, or aesthetic of a commercial space, these innovative building materials will help you accomplish your goal.
Todd Gillman 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.