Construction is part of human progress, and technology and hard work are used to erect structures for various purposes. The designs are endless, with hardworking men and women implementing their training and skills to build residential, commercial, and industrial buildings. In addition, they make all the infrastructure around them.
Steel always has a solution, regardless of design or specific project challenges. The choice is simple, so steel is the best solution for everyone involved if you are considering building.
Steel is one of the most popular building materials. Why use steel in construction?
Steel Is a Strong Material
Steel is the most durable and toughest material to build with. It withstands corrosion and harsh weather conditions while maintaining its structural integrity and strong chemical makeup. Because of its strength, endurance and malleability, steel is easily fabricated and shaped in any orientation. This allows engineers and designers to create stunning components that offer form and function.
Unlike lumber, which is typically shipped to construction sites and then cut and formed to build a structure, steel is brought to sites already shaped and ready to be put together like a complicated erector set. Because of its flexibility and strength, steel is also earthquake-resistant. The beam and column connections support gravitational loads.
More Open Spaces
Steel buildings have a huge advantage over other building types. Because of their strength, fewer columns are needed. This allows space for large-scale, open-concept structures like showrooms, factories, and other building applications. Steel buildings are built with columns and beams, then steel siding and roofing, creating an entire steel envelope.
Steel is very adaptable to design and easily works with mezzanines to create elevated offices. This allows management to oversee the shop floor and use raised storage solutions. Steel also works well when expanding a building, as you can quickly add more square footage while still keeping the open design intact.
Steel Is Environmentally Friendly
It is hard to find a more environmentally friendly building material than steel. It is 100% recyclable, enabling you to create the same material of the same quality repeatedly with its closed loop. It is much lighter than concrete structures, reducing overall environmental stress, and is cheaper to transport and move around on the job site.
Steel’s energy efficiency is unparalleled. It radiates heat to create a relaxed inner environment. In colder weather, it helps to insulate and keep heat indoors. This all translates into less air conditioning use and less dependence on the power grid.
Flexibility
As we discussed above, steel is very flexible. Since it can be fabricated in almost any shape, it is a safe and reliable material to work with, even for the most ambitious architects. Along with the long spans come unique curves that give it its moniker as the ideal material for structural design.
Construction Time
Steel components are fabricated off-site and shipped sequentially when needed so they don’t take up valuable space on job sites. When they arrive, they can be immediately craned into position, bolted, and welded to become one rigid structure. This predictable schedule cuts down on manpower and shaves off a project’s total cycle time. The end result is faster occupancy times and decreased financial costs.
Contractors need reliable materials to meet their schedules. That’s why more architects turn to steel to bring their design ideas to life. Steel also addresses construction safety concerns. Because it is fabricated off-site and requires less manpower to erect, fewer workers are on site.
This translates into a safer environment. Prefabrication also includes dedicated lifting points for each assembly, reducing accidents.
Different Steel Solutions
Steel is highly versatile and fits into many construction applications and sectors. Cold-formed steel framing is a light framing material often used for steel studs and tracks. Steel joists are lighter than wood-framed ones but use the same open web design.
Steel decks are cold-rolled steel sheets used for roofs and floors in various projects. Structural steel framing includes structural beams and columns with vertical and horizontal elements.
Metal roofs and wall systems finish buildings. They come in various profiles and colours to enhance security, durability, and aesthetic appeal.
