Steel is a Much Better Choice for Construction Material

  • Environmentally friendly; 100% recyclable.
  • Produces a smaller amount of scrap and waste (2% steel vs. 20% lumber).
  • Offers consistent material quality.  There is no regional variation in composition because it is produced in strict accordance with national standards.
  • Doesn't burn.  Many municipalities are requiring multi-family residences to be constructed of non-combustible materials.  Constructing with Light Gage Steel (LGS) improves fire safety in compliance with local codes and fire regulations.  In fact, construction with steel framing usually lowers your monthly insurance premiums.
  • Fewer workers are needed for erection.  Experienced crews reduce LGS framing time and costs.  LGS framing can weigh only one-third as much as traditional framing products, making on-site handling easier.  Computer engineered metal frames reduce field cutting almost completely.
  • Foundation problems aren't as likely; reduced weight results in less damage from foundation movement.
  • Smaller probability of damage in high winds; stronger connections (screwed vs. nailed) can withstand greater winds.
  • It has consistent material quality - produced in strict accordance with national standards with no regional variations.
  • Steel can be pre-fabricated into ready-made walls, trusses and other components using precision engineering and measuring.
  • Your home is completely grounded in a lightning storm.
  • One of the highest "strength to weight" ratios of building materials employed today.
  • Stick for stick, it weighs only 40% of lumber and since the pieces 'nest', over twice as much can be transported in a single truckload, saving precious fuel resources.
  • Doesn't require chemical treatment as wood does. This provides an added health benefit by eliminating pesticides and toxic chemicals used to treat wood.
  • Metal is impervious to termites and other wood destroying insects and rodents.
  • Steel is inorganic and therefore will not shrink, creep, rot, bow, creak, split or decay.
  • With proper insulation, a steel home conserves energy.  Steel is dimensionally stable - not expanding or contracting with changes in the humidity.  This eliminates energy loss through windows and doors.
  • Offers a high-strength, safe structure - with lower maintenance and a slower aging process.
  • Reduced chance of damage in an earthquake; a lighter structure with stronger connections results in lower damage from seismic force.
  • LGSF (Light Gage Steel Framing) used inside buildings generally lasts at least 300 years, unlike wood which is prone to dry rot and decay from the moment it's cut.
  • Provides for straight walls and square corners.  Allows doors and windows to open and close properly.

    •  

Longevity

Steel is strong and lasts a long time. That is why planes, trains, ships, skyscrapers and many other major structures are made of steel. The key to preserving steel though is to protect it from rust. This is accomplished in two ways. One is by galvanizing the steel and the other is by using self-weathering steel. Both galvanizing and using weathering steel increase the cost of steel, but they provide excellent protection especially when the steel is exposed to moisture.

A thin layer of molten zinc on the steel surface forms the galvanizing process, proven for nearly 300 years. The galvanized zinc topcoat bonds metallurgically to the steel's surface, forming a tough barrier that delays corrosion. As an added bonus, zinc is more electronegative than steel, providing what's known as "sacrificial protection." This means that steel, which under normal circumstances would be compromised by surface scratches or small nail holes, actually repairs itself as zinc molecules migrate to protect exposed steel. This is one reason that galvanized steel is commonly used in rain gutters exposed to frequent moisture and acid build up from fallen leaves and pine needles.

Weathering steel is a specially formulated steel material, which forms a dense tight protective oxide on the surface. It naturally weathers to a rich, dark brown color that requires no maintenance. Most steel bridges are made of a self-weathering steel called CorTen, which oxidizes to form a protective surface not requiring painting. Weathering steel is used commonly on office buildings in parts of Europe for its strength and untreated finished look.

Some metal roofs can outlast the structure itself. It's no coincidence that most metal roofing manufacturers stand behind their products with 50-year transferable warranties. Some companies even offer lifetime warranties for the original owners. Assuming proper maintenance, a quality metal roof could last 50 years, which outlives wood and most other materials by many years. Steel not exposed directly to the moisture can perform much better.

Summary

Steel is a superior construction material. The use of steel framing as the primary structural system in construction results in a better structure. A steel framed building is a better building. Steel framing, by virtue of its material characteristics and properties, offers significant advantages to both consumers and builders. Growth in the use of steel frame construction versus framing with other materials has a bright future.

Return to top of page.