When stainless steel is properly selected and maintained, it can
remain attractive for centuries. After this long service life,
stainless steel's high scrap values and low corrosion rates
ensure its end-of-life recapture and recycling rates are very
substantial, making reuse possible. This article explains the
material's use in sustainable roofing and curtain wall projects.
|An exterior view of Beijing's Poly Plaza. Photo courtesy A.
Zahner Co.| Interest in sustainable design has grown
significantly around the world. Consequently, material
comparisons for exterior applications now frequently include
recycled content, durability, maintenance requirements, and
impact on energy and water consumption.1 When these analyses are
done, stainless steel consistently garners high marks,
particularly in structures designed for thirty or more years of
service. Stainless steel limits negative impacts on the
environment in many ways. Bare stainless steel panels produce no
emissions, and roofing, curtain walls, and sunscreen