What is the most economical permanent entrance over the life cycle of a building?

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Routing the permanent entrance underground yields the lowest cost over the building’s life cycle. It protects the cabling from weather, temperature swings, and physical damage, which means fewer repairs, less maintenance, and a lower risk of water intrusion at the building envelope. Once installed, underground conduits and duct banks tend to have long service lives and require less ongoing protection work compared to entries that go through exterior walls, roof penetrations, or above-ground conduits. Although the upfront cost is higher, the long-term savings from reduced maintenance and fewer failure points typically make it the most economical choice over time. Exterior wall sleeves, roof penetrations, and above-ground conduit all introduce more points of potential water intrusion, seal degradation, and exposure to damage, leading to higher life-cycle costs.