Steel framing systems are used as cost effective solutions for buildings compared to concrete and wood buildings with no hidden costs. Framing is about 20-25% of the total cost of any construction project and also the MOST important part of any project. Panelized steel framing comes as fully framed individual walls directly from the factory to the site instead of manually erecting the studs and tracks. This results in bringing down the framing timeline by 60%-65%, which cuts down the carrying cost.
Many Developers and Home owners are in favor of steel construction because they are able to use their final project faster rather than paying high interest cost to lenders when project takes longer to finish. On the other hand, Builders are able to finish their framing jobs faster and save on Labor costs.
2. Shorter Project Timelines
Components are fabricated offsite to precise specifications, which cuts down time on the job site and reduces delays from the weather. Compared to stick-frame construction, panelization is faster because of the enhanced efficiency of both the product and the process.
Panelized steel building construction circumvents the constraints of traditional wood construction and significantly speeds up the timeline of the construction process.
In contrast to the traditional construction process, steel can reduce framing time by 60%-65%. With panelized steel construction, an entire wall frame can be erected rather than installing single studs, within few days than weeks.
Panels are manufactured in a factory – under a controlled environment, and mere assembling is done on-site, cutting down the weather delays to a minimum.
3. Lower Construction Financing Cost
As stated in point 1 above, the framing timeline reduces drastically (60% – 65%) with Panelized Steel Framing. This means you can finish your project much faster. Therefore significantly reducing the construction timelines and interest costs.
4. Higher Quality Building
How is high quality achieved using steel?
Steel panels are custom designed by the engineers and manufactured in the factory, maintaining the desired standards, providing no errors and high-quality assurance.
Because of machine-cut panels we can achieve accurate measurements according to the design, with aesthetically pleasing finish with a wider range of surface finishes.
5. Helps in Sustaining Environment
The Steel Recycling Institute, SRI reports that steel is recycled more than paper, plastic, glass, copper, lead, and aluminum combined.
The World Steel Association states that the steel industry has reduced energy consumption since the 1970s in the manufacture of steel by 50%. This directly relates to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
6. Highly Durable and Increased Lifespan
The steel framing system easily adapts to new loading conditions, vertical expansion, and changes in owner requirements, providing for a new life beyond its original design, and further extending its lifespan.
Steel is made to last longer than many other building materials. As noted by the Steel Framing Industry Association, with the proper coating and construction techniques, the protective barrier over steel will last nearly 700 years, even under extreme conditions such as near aggressive salt-laden waters.
What makes steel buildings last? Durable and dimensionally-stable steel buildings last a long time because of the comprehensive and tensile strength that protects them from seismic forces, severe winds, and heavy snow or rain.
7. Moisture/Mold Resistant
Preventing exposure to susceptible materials during a flood or even under normal conditions in some areas is critical to preventing mold, mildew, and structural deterioration.
Steel is inorganic. It will not function as a food source for mold. Further, steel is dimensionally stable in a moist environment. Walls and floors remain plumb and level in a wet environment.
Ventilation is efficiently built into a steel-framed design, and energy efficiency is maintained or increased due to steel’s inorganic properties.
Steel is dimensionally stable and does not expand or contract with changes in moisture content. Steel will not warp, split, crack or creep when exposed to the elements.
8. Fire Resistant
Steel is one of the inherently Non-combustible Materials for construction, which improves the fire performance of mid/high-rise buildings.
By adopting Steel, the structure type changes from Category V to Category III. Hence, the fire water demand reduces, eliminating the requirement for additional fire water tanks to be constructed.
Building Construction Types: Fire Resistance Ratings
Type I- Fire Resistive Type II- Non-combustible or protected Non-combustible Type III- Ordinary (Exterior protected) Type IV- Heavy timber (Older buildings made from thick lumber) Type V- Wood framing (Modern buildings with combustible framing and roofs)
9. Earthquake Resistance
Metal studs greatly increase strength and make steel structures more resilient to high winds, earthquakes, and natural disasters.
According to the World Steel Association, ductile buildings are safer as they dissipate energy from seismic waves. They can undergo plastic deformations without complete structural failure during an earthquake.
The law of inertia states that seismic waves will exert less force on a building that is lighter in weight, which makes it important, for buildings, to be made of light and flexible materials such as steel that can ‘bend’ with the movement of earthquakes. On average, steel buildings are 60 to 70 percent lighter and 10 times stronger than other buildings.
10. Termite Resistance
Steel prevents destruction caused by vermin, the need for chemical treatments that can pose health hazards, and the cost of pest control. It can resist termites in nearly any climate or building type.
Steel framing helps to ensure a strong, very long-lasting final product that prevents termites from weakening a building’s overall structure. Also, it is not prone to any of the drawbacks of timber, including wet or dry rot, warping, or burning.
The International Residential Code (IRC) suggests that steel is a recommended termite resistant alternative to wood for construction, as it promises a ‘healthier’ building with no chemical termite control needed.
