Steel building construction has become increasingly more popular over the years and is preferred over wood, brick, and concrete for many reasons. Steel is more versatile, durable, affordable and sustainable than other materials – making it the obvious choice for most construction projects. Below you’ll find all the advantages of steel building construction and how it compares to other materials.
Durable
Steel is incredibly durable. It does not decay or age nearly as quickly as other materials. This makes it the perfect option for building owners as it allows for very little maintenance over the years. A steel building construction is a decision that will continue to reap benefits for years afterward as it does not warp or crack like wood and concrete.
Fire- and water-resistant coatings on the steel prevent corrosion and loss of strength so that the structural integrity of the building will not be affected by any accidents like fires or leaks.
High Strength
Steel is a lot denser than other construction materials. This means that it is heavier than other materials (when comparing sections of the same size), but it can also carry a much heavier load. With a standard yield stress of 50,000 pounds per square inch in terms of compression and tension, structural steel is ideal for building.
Traditional building methods also incorporate steel into their construction alongside other materials, like brick or concrete, to strengthen them with a hybrid construction.
Space Efficient
Because steel is so strong, beams can be placed further apart than wood or concrete beams – resulting in wider bays. The use of steel columns takes up to 75% less space than concrete ones. This means that the available floor space is automatically enlarged – allowing for a more spacious interior. It also allows for the incorporation of HVAC systems, which is a great way to reduce the heights between floors.
Recyclable
In an age of constant dialogue about the importance of looking after our planet, it is reassuring to know that the use of structural steel in design is highly sustainable. This is because steel does not lose its usability or integrity after a building is demolished and scrapped. Steel can be melted down and recast into new structures. This is a massive advantage over natural building materials that are costly to acquire, expensive to scrap, and difficult to reuse.
The significant part of being able to recycle steel is that it serves a dual purpose. The repurposing of steel ultimately aids the clearing up of salvage yards. This also means avoiding the continuous, unsustainable process of acquiring land for quarries.
Interestingly, almost 90% of the steel in use today is already recycled and is still able to be fully recycled and reused all over again if necessary. Another plus to this method is the fact that it produces hardly any construction-site waste – furthering its sustainability.
Modifiable
Another advantage of utilizing steel building construction is that it allows for changes to be made simply and easily. Adding steel plates to the flanges can strengthen existing steel frames and beams in order to accommodate new loading conditions or vertical expansion plans. From adding on extra stairways to floors, the possibilities with steel construction are endless.
Quicker Build-Time
Steel building construction is one of the quickest modes of construction there is. This makes it ideal for construction projects throughout the year as the weather will have very little effect on the timeline of the project. The computerized manufacturing process of the bolted connections and floor plates, as well as the standardization of various steel building components, make them easy to assemble and erect.
This makes for a much quicker build-time as there is no need to build any temporary formworks for concrete that need to be assembled and then taken apart. All of the steel parts are produced offsite and are then ready for construction when they reach the building site.
Steel Constructions Are More Lightweight
Due to its strength and design, steel beams are actually lighter than other construction materials. Lighter steel reduces the amount of labor required to build, which is also a significant cost-saver. Another benefit of steel building construction is that it reduces costs in terms of shipping materials due to its lighter weight.
Cost-Effective
Last but not least, steel building construction is the most cost-effective method of construction. Due to all of the parts being produced and manufactured offsite, on-site labor is reduced. Its quick construction time results in fewer interest payments, lowers the costs of financing the project and allows for quicker payback as the building will be ready for use in a shorter amount of time.
Final Thoughts
With so many advantages, steel building construction is one of the most used methods of construction. Using this method results in strong, durable buildings that can easily be modified at a later time. We, at Chad Fisher Construction, have worked on many steel projects and are confident that we can meet the requirements for your next project.