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Over the last few years, steel-framed homes have become increasingly popular. Although steel-framed buildings are not new and have been in the industry for many years.
What You Need To Know About Steel-Framed Homes
Benefits Of Steel-Framed Homes:
Of course, there are good reasons for the rise in demand. Steel-framed houses offer an array of benefits that make them worth considering. These include:
1. Strength & Durability
Steel is strong and will last for years. It is even strong enough to withstand most earthquakes and similar extreme weather events.
2. Resistant to Fire
Steel doesn’t burn easily, making it especially effective in bush fire risk zones.
3. Quicker to Build
The steel frame is created in a factory and then transported to the site to be erected. This means it takes a lot less time on site.
4. Easily Customized
You can create almost any style of home with steel, including large open expanses. There is also an array of cladding options to ensure you get the perfect finish.
5. Environmentally Friendly
All steel can be recyclable and the steel you use in the house frame has been recycled. The environmental impact is minimal.
Disadvantage of Steel-Framed Homes:
However, while Steel has several benefits, it is also important to be aware of the issues that surround steel-framed homes.
Corrosion Issues
Steel can rust. It’s metal and, when mixed with oxygen and water, it will corrode. Over time, this will weaken your building and cause an array of issues. That’s why all steel framing needs to be coated. This protects it from contact with the air and eliminates the chance of rust.
However, for a peace of mind, have a Nace inspector check the steel in your home. This will ensure the integrity of your home is kept and any issues are located and dealt with early.
Don’t forget, if the steel is out in the open and rusts, the issue will spread. You’ll need to treat it quickly in order to preserve the integrity of the steel and your building.
Checking and updating your barrier coat regularly is essential to ensure your building lasts as long as you expect it to.
Poor Insulation
Metal is a great conductor. If the house is warm, it will absorb the warmth and allow it to escape. That means a steel-framed home needs to have plenty of insulation, including putting insulation board around the steel beams. Coupling this with standard insulation helps to protect your wallet and keep the heat inside your home.
Cost
Steel-framed homes are actually more expensive to build than traditional wood-framed ones. Although the time on site is less, you will need a crane, and the metal beams themselves cost more to make than the equivalent piece of wood.
You should also note that steel framed homes rarely have pitched roofs. This is simply not possible with the current design techniques. However, you can get around this by using a wooden roof frame on top of your steel framed house.
Conclusion
Steel-framed homes are interesting and have benefits over wood-framed ones. However, it is important to look at all the pros and cons of big decisions like this. It is a durable material, fire resistant, saves time on building, and is friendlier to the environment. However, it is the more costly option for the materials and the production. It also has poor insulation, especially for heat, so this might not be the best idea for a home with colder weather. Since steel is a metal, it can also rust. Even though it is a more environmentally friendly option, it may not last as long.
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About the Author: Ashley Edwards
