Steel frame buildings have been gradually growing in popularity in the United States, where wooden frames used to be the order of the day. Now, though, the construction industry and the general public are both now finally beginning to understand the numerous advantages offered by steel frame buildings and why these are desirable for meeting America’s ever increasing housing needs. Below are five of the main advantages which demonstrate why steel buildings are the future for the United States.
Easy to Install
Once the design for a building has been finalized, steel frames can be engineered to specific measurements and designed so that they can be fitted together simultaneously. This makes erecting steel frames considerably easier than when working with wood. Steel frames also don’t require the use of fasteners like wood does; steel frames can be designed to lock together mechanically, thus eliminating the need for any form of adhesive. The whole installation process is generally far less labor intensive than other construction methods.
Cost Effective
Because steel can be accurately constructed and one can determine exactly how much they need beforehand, there is far less wastage of materials. With timber, there is a margin of error and so pieces are produced longer than specified and are cut down to size later, there is no need to do this with steel and thus far less waste generated. This also means that less manpower is required during the initial phases of construction and so money is saved on those salaries.
The steel building cost is exceptionally good when compared with that of timber, especially when using the best steel suppliers you can find. If you want to learn more about the general cost of steel buildings, one reputable supplier who have some of the most competitive costs I’ve found can be seen at http://armstrongsteel.com/.
Safe and Fire Resistant
Steel framed buildings are far more resilient to fire than their timber counterparts. Steel is also not affected by bugs, rot, rodents, mold and fungi. To achieve the same with timber requires treating it, which adds another cost to each construction. Because steel buildings are less grounded than timber frames they are less likely to be hit by lightning.
Better Quality
Steel frames are very high quality in every regard; in particular steel is exceptionally strong and resilient. Steel doesn’t deteriorate with age the way that wood does, it is also corrosion resistant and generally very tolerant of different weather conditions.
Durability
Steel is remarkable, not just for its strength, but also for its resistance to stress. Still doesn’t buckle, deform, split, break, rotate, or rot and yet, despite all of this, it is less heavy than timber. Recent powerful hurricanes across the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico have starkly demonstrated the difference in how timber houses, like in the Caribbean, fare against a hurricane compared to steel framed buildings, like in Florida. Steel framed buildings are far more likely to survive these kinds of adverse events.
Steel framed buildings are becoming the standard across the United States and this is undoubtedly a good thing. The United States has long lagged behind Europe in the quality of its housing construction. Steel framed buildings are easier and cheaper for construction companies to use.
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