Over the last few decades, the construction industry has witnessed huge strides in development. For instance, a recent survey indicates that more than 90% of buildings and industrial construction are made of steel. Most homeowners worldwide are now opting for metal materials to construct their homes, garages, and workshops. Wooden or concrete buildings are now becoming a thing of the past. With advanced technology in place, metals structures dominate the industry, and most people prefer them.
Today, steel has gained popularity for being the most used metal worldwide. Several popular modern steel structures are The Eiffel Tower, Brooklyn Bridge, Taipei 101 Tower, Burj Khalifa, Willis Tower, Sydney Harbor Bridge, etc. Also, if you are looking for best cranes for your construction sites or building contact the Bryn Thomas Cranes now.
Below are the reasons why steel is a popular building material.
1. Requires Less Maintenance
Traditional materials like wood need regular maintenance. It requires painting, leakage maintenance, damp proofing, and other maintenance. Fortunately, steel buildings have infused paint that does not fade easily. They are all-weather resistant and safe from insect damage. Therefore, only minimal maintenance is required.
2. Eco-friendly
Considering recyclability, Steel is the most recycled metal in the world. According to SRI, Steel Recycling Institute, steel recycling rates have increased by 92% in the USA. Besides, used Steel can manufacture numerous steel products, making it the most eco-friendly construction material. To top up that, little carbon dioxide is emitted during the manufacturing process of steel products.
3. Higher Strength
Steel has a bigger density compared to wood and concrete. For example, a 50mm x 100mm of Steel can carry more load than the same timber length. They are also resistant to artificial and natural wear, making them the most preferred building material in earthquake-prone regions.
4. Cost-effective
Research proves that you can save up to 30% of construction costs using steel material. To be precise, a company like Norsteel designs, engineers, and fabricates steel frames prior, reducing on-site labor by 10% to 20%. Also, shorter construction time will reduce construction costs, meaning the building will be completed soon and will start earning money.
Again, steel is durable, making maintenance, repairs, and replacement costs lower. Some insurance companies give cheaper premium insurance to buildings constructed with steel because they can withstand pests, natural disasters, and decay.
5. Versatility
Structural steel can still maintain its strength despite fabricating it into different shapes. Its versatility encourages creativity and innovative designs. Architects and designers use steel to create aesthetically pleasing structures. Structural Steel allows the creation of indoor arenas, bridges, skyscrapers, and other structures. Again, it is possible to future-proof steel frames since they are conducive to structural modifications like expanding the building’s size and other innovations.
6. Optimized Energy Consumption
Steel Building can save you up to 50% of your monthly energy bills. Buy various appliances like a heater and air conditioner to maintain temperatures in your home. Again, steel buildings have fantastic insulations preventing heat transfer to the neighboring buildings.
7. Lighter Weight
Compared to wood and concrete, steel is lighter and can carry heavy loads. Its strength to carry heavy loads makes it a suitable material to build the foundation since it can be lifted and easily moved around. Also, its lighter weight makes it easier to move it from the manufacturing company to the construction sites. Again, steel does not strain the foundation.
8. Great Durability
One of the greatest qualities of steel is durability. It can withstand wear and tear from external elements like storms and earthquakes. Steel can resist high temperatures making it most suitable for extreme temperatures. A well-maintained and designed steel structure lasts for 20 – 30 years.
Steel does not crack, creep, or split, unlike timber and concrete. It is insect free since it lacks porosity, discouraging mildew and mold growth. Also, structural steel does not expand, and neither does it rot. However, a fire and water resistance coat is essential to protect it from losing its strength and rust.
Conclusion
As outlined above, there are no better options that can surpass the use of steel in construction. However, to get a stable and beautiful structure, you need to avoid common mistakes people make when constructing steel buildings. These mistakes include failure to budget for the entire project, not considering your needs, considering the cheapest building, failure to do enough research, and inadequate knowledge in differentiating building and zoning requirements.
