54 | Business World Magazine |
January 2014
for three hours. Walls are typically made
of brick or block, but there’s a significant
cost advantage to frame that wall with
wood and gypsum board,” notes Henry.
Since that demonstration, the NFBA has
fielded increasing calls from architects in-
quiring how to deploy that methodology
within their project designs.
Increasing focus on sustainability and
energy efficiency also bodes well for the
advancement of post-frame building. As
NAFB Director of Market Development
John Ryan explains, the metal panels and
other materials used in post-frame con-
struction have secured Energy Star cer-
tification and would contribute positive
points to projects striving for LEED or
Energy Star rating. “Whether it is metal
roofing or metal siding, these are prod-
ucts that can last a lifetime and score high
points for their recyclability and sustain-
ability,” says Ryan.
The NAFB is currently undertaking
research culminating in an analysis of
thermal performance of structures. Henry
says because of the wall and roofing as-
