A typical steel-framed home.
Despite steel’s long history of effectiveness in building construction, it has not been used extensively in single-family homes. But that may be changing now as builders are beginning to see the significant advantages of steel-framed residential construction. The plusses for using steel include:
- Steel is engineered and manufactured, unlike wood, to provide consistent quality and a stronger frame. (Steel has the highest strength-to-weight ratio of any building material!)
- The inherent strength of steel means that fewer studs need to be used. Steel framing allows for larger open spaces in a home with fewer framing members. One length of steel can be used to cross long spans (with proper support) or be used from first to second floor in a wall section.
- Steel doesn't rot, splinter, chip, crack, twist, split or warp. And it doesn't change with humidity! There are none of the nail pops you get from the drying and warping of other house framing materials and galvanised steel resists corrosion. Steel studs are dimensionally stable ensuring straight walls and square corners. Drywall can hang straight and true and will not bulge from bowed framing members.
- Steel studs can be pre-cut to size, meaning less time on the job site and less waste. And they can come in a variety of lengths.
- Steel weighs about 1/3 the weight of wood studs. It is lighter to handle and the overall house frame weighs less. This can have a positive effect on the foundation settling common in new construction.
- Steel is connected with screws, not nails or mortar; framing screws that resist uplifting loads more effectively than nails. This means strong connections that resist high winds and earthquakes.
- Steel is noncombustible, which may result in lower insurance premiums for home buyers. It withstands fire, floods, snow buildup, intense sun, high humidity.
- Steel framing is termite and borer proof as these pests cannot eat steel. This means less need for environmentally detrimental insecticide!
- Steel's price is much more stable than wood pricing and provides a more reliable supply for builders. Instead of weekly changes in price on the wood rollercoaster, you can predict the price of steel long into the future. Price fluctuations ultimately add to the final house price paid by the consumer!
- Steel framing can accommodate all types of commonly-used siding and finish materials.
- Steel is made from recycled material. While precut studs minimize waste, any waste that does occur can be recycled. From 65 - 85% of all steel products are recycled - the highest recycling rate of any material. And if a home is remodelled or demolished, the steel framing can be placed back into the recycling stream, not into a landfill. Some steel in a new home may have previously been used for an automobile or a commercial building. It can be recycled repeatedly without losing its strength or other properties.
- Steel-framing can easily accommodate future remodelling because non-load bearing walls can conveniently be removed, altered and relocated.
The case for steel is impressive. Steel framing for skyscrapers forms a load-bearing grid on which exterior walls and interior floors can be hung. The result is great strength, large open areas, and attractive economics. The same concepts apply to residential construction. Steel is strong and price competitive.
Quality lumber is getting harder to find and more expensive. Over the next few years the volume of steel construction will inevitably increase. Such growth relates to the inherent benefits associated with steel.
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