5 Factors Every Project Owner Should Consider Before Approving Building Materials

Technical construction discussions can feel overwhelming, but your decisions about materials directly shape your new building's long-term value. Learning about innovative materials can spark ideas you hadn’t considered, leading to a building even better than you envisioned.

Every structure, in any industry, is unique. That’s why we encourage you to ask questions—lots of questions—of yourself, your architect, and your contractor.

This article serves as a building material selection guide for project owners. It will help you understand the pros and cons of different materials and their impact on your project, so you can confidently discuss material selection. 

Leading with Strength

Structural strength is crucial, but not all commercial building materials offer the same resilience, especially under specific conditions.

Questions to ask your architect or contractor:

• What type of framework should my building have?
• Will my building be permanent or temporary? Is future portability an issue?
• Will the building need to accommodate any type of hanging load?
• Will the building need to support rooftop loads, such as for HVAC or solar?
• What external environmental stressors will affect my building? (Think about extreme temperatures, humidity, salty marine air, high winds, high hail risk, heavy rain or snow loads, hurricanes, seismic events.)

Durability and Longevity

Strength and durability directly impact your building's lifespan. Consider both cladding and framing materials.

You expect decades of service, but remember that operational costs directly affect your total cost of ownership. For example, energy-efficient materials enhance comfort and save money, while high-maintenance materials increase expenses.

Questions to ask your architect or contractor:

• Will my building be exposed to a corrosive or caustic working environment (like storing fertilizer or salt)?
• What ongoing maintenance do different materials require?

Design with Flexibility

You’re the project owner. You have high expectations for a building that meets your specific needs. Understanding modern construction techniques and material options helps you make smart, future-proof choices. Remember, materials also affect the user experience, especially regarding light and sound

Standardized, pre-fabricated structures are not necessarily the simplest, or even the cheapest, solution.

Questions to ask your architect or contractor:

• How much square footage do I need?
• Can I get the clear span distance I need?
• How do different cladding materials affect interior acoustics?
• What are my ventilation options?
• Can I get natural light inside?
• What size and type of doors are available?
• What if I need high walls? Or what if I don’t want walls?
• What are my insulation options?

Pride in Aesthetics

Let’s face it. Your building should be a source of pride for everyone who uses it. Style and aesthetics truly matter. 

Questions to ask your architect or contractor:

• Are there limits to architectural features I can include?
• How do cladding materials affect my exterior appearance options? (And how will the exterior “weather” visually over time?)
• Can I customize my building with branded images, colors or other unique effects?

The Construction Process

A well-chosen team and effective communication streamline the design-build process, ensuring you get the building you want. As the owner, you want to be involved, and you should be. At Legacy, we use a unique single-source approach that clarifies every design detail up front, preventing costly mistakes and delays.

Questions to ask your architect or contractor:

• Who will be in charge of my project?
• How will I be kept in the loop as the process unfolds?
• What if changes need to be made?
• Who will be responsible for permits and approvals?
• Does the process affect cost?

Knowledge Is Confidence

In the end, it’s all about getting a complete package: advanced materials and innovative design options that can give you a future-forward structure. Digging deeper helps you fully understand your options and their impact on building performance and operating costs.