Category: Metal Siding

Curb Appeal That Pays Off: Designing Modern Self-Storage Exteriors with Corrugated Metal

For decades, the self-storage industry operated on a simple architectural premise: function over form. Facilities were often relegated to a community’s industrial outskirts, designed as utilitarian rows of metal doors with little regard for aesthetics. They were boxes meant to hold other boxes. However, the market has changed — and the change has been significant. As urbanization drives density and consumers demand convenience, self-storage facilities are moving into high-visibility suburban corridors, mixed-use developments, and even near or in residential neighborhoods. This geographic shift brings new challenges and opportunities for architects, developers, and facility managers. Planning boards today are often stricter than in the past. To comply with regulations, structures must blend seamlessly into the surrounding community [...]

How Architects Use Curved and Perforated Metal to Add Texture and Depth

For architects and owners today, a building’s facade is a barrier against the elements but also an active contributor to the structure’s performance and a participant in its dialogue with the surrounding environment. Gone are the days when static, flat elevations seemed to be the only option. Modern architectural aesthetics increasingly incorporate dynamic surfaces that don’t just protect the building but simultaneously “paint” with light and shadow. They also play a distinct role in managing airflow.  Metal panels have become a new favorite. Curved, perforated, and corrugated profiles in particular are serving as a "second skin" for buildings, providing depth, movement, and functional performance.  For architects, developers, and project managers, the challenge often lies in selecting [...]

The Rise of Industrial-Modern Architecture and the Role of Metal Panels

Architecture, like any form of art, moves in cycles. However, the shift we are seeing in commercial and civic design right now feels less like a trend and more like a permanent evolution. What we are witnessing seems to be the solidification of "industrial-modern" architecture. Rather than hiding a building’s “bones,” this design language celebrates them. It is an aesthetic defined by exposed structure, raw materials, and rich texture. For architects, developers, and general contractors, this movement offers a unique opportunity to marry high-concept design with high-performance function. At the center of this movement is a material that has transcended its functional roots: the metal panel. No longer used exclusively for warehouses or agricultural sheds, architectural [...]

Recyclable, Durable, Sustainable: Corrugated Metal’s Triple Threat

When you're specifying materials for a new building, what matters most? It’s not just the upfront cost or the look anymore. Architects, developers, general contractors, and facility managers are all looking at the bigger picture. They are all asking more questions. How long will it last? What happens to it at the end of its life? What kind of maintenance does it need?  It’s a delicate balance. On one hand, you need strong materials. On the other hand, you want to use environmentally friendly resources. Finding a single product that delivers on all fronts — performance, cost, and environmental responsibility — is a serious challenge. While plenty of materials claim to be sustainable, many fall short [...]

Beyond the Surface: The Role of Corrugated Metal in Green Construction

The desire for sustainability is reshaping the construction industry. Architects, developers, and facility managers are looking beyond traditional materials for new solutions that deliver immediate performance and long-term environmental and economic benefits.   Consequently, the focus has shifted toward planning a building’s entire lifecycle — from material sourcing and construction to decades of use and, ultimately, recycling or reusing much of the resources. As a result, stakeholders are increasingly viewing corrugated metal as an exceptional material.  For today’s environmentally conscious construction projects, corrugated metal plays a vital role in green building. This includes supporting recycling, extending a structure’s longevity, and reducing construction waste. With an impressive recyclability rate exceeding 95% and the ability to be repurposed and [...]

Not Just a Pretty Pattern: A Visual Guide to CMI’s Metal Panel Profiles

Why Metal Profile Choice Still Matters Choosing the right metal panel profile ensures optimal appearance, performance and install efficiency. At first glance, most metal panel profiles might seem similar. They’re made of the same material. They’re built to last. And yes, many offer comparable strength and weather resistance. But when you zoom in on the details that define a successful build — visual impact, installation efficiency, and functional fit — the profile you choose can make all the difference. Whether you're designing a modern urban façade, roofing a curved agricultural structure, or building a trailer floor that needs to take a beating, your panel’s rib pattern affects more than just appearance. It influences how light and [...]

Build Faster, Save More: Corrugated Metal in Self-Storage Projects

As populations continue to grow, the self-storage industry is booming. For companies looking to enter this space or expand their offerings, the race is on. Developers continually seek ways to complete construction projects more quickly and affordably without compromising quality or long-term value.   While traditional building methods can accomplish the task, they often involve extended timelines, escalating labor costs, and the inherent challenges of on-site fabrication. These and other reasons are why corrugated metal panels are an increasingly popular solution, offering a powerful combination of speed, cost-efficiency, and long-term performance.   From their lightweight composition and extreme durability to the ease of transporting them to worksites, corrugated panels are an ideal material for the demands of modern [...]

The Smart Way to Scale Self-Storage: Modular Builds with Corrugated Metal

The self-storage industry is experiencing rapid growth, driven by increased mobility, downsizing trends, and the demand for additional space. For facility owners, this presents exciting opportunities for expansion. However, scaling operations efficiently — whether by adding units to an existing site or developing new locations — requires a strategic approach that minimizes disruption, controls costs, and maximizes return on investment. Increasingly, owners are leveraging modular construction and utilizing the inherent advantages of corrugated metal. This article explores how corrugated metal facilitates modular and scalable self-storage development. We’ll explore its versatility in creating diverse unit layouts and configurations, its seamless integration with prefabricated and bolt-together systems, and the significant benefits this approach offers developers, including faster expansion, [...]

How Corrugated Metal Protects Self-Storage Facilities From the Elements

People use self-storage facilities for many purposes. They might be moving, renovating, decluttering, or storing a college student's belongings when they’re home for the summer. Businesses also use them to store equipment, excess inventory, documents, and more. Consequently, units are always in high demand. As a result, entrepreneurs, storage companies, and others continually construct these buildings to keep up with the ever-growing need. However, in their zeal to meet this demand and secure more rental contracts, self-storage designers, builders, and business owners must not overlook the primary directive for these units: to protect their contents from whatever the environment throws at them. That’s where corrugated metal comes in. Stakeholders increasingly understand its value in helping weatherproof [...]

Fast, Flexible, and Durable: Why Corrugated Metal is the Perfect Fit for Self-Storage Facilities

The self-storage industry is almost always in growth mode. With entrepreneurs opening new facilities or expanding existing ones to meet consumer needs regularly, the demand for high-quality building materials is greater than ever. Facility owners and developers seek materials that provide design flexibility, durability, and ease of use. Against that backdrop and with those requirements, corrugated metal is emerging as the material of choice. It provides a compelling combination of aesthetic appeal, strength, and longevity that is ideal for self-storage facilities. This article provides an overview of what corrugated metal is, how it’s made, and why its performance characteristics check all the boxes for self-storage facility owners and operators. Let’s dive in! WHAT IS CORRUGATED METAL? [...]

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