Benefits of Building A Steel Home

Originally seen in the construction of industrial and commercial buildings, steel homes are becoming more popular in residential construction. If you decide to go with steel over wood, you will enjoy the following benefits:

1. Durability

Steel is one of the most popular construction materials among construction professionals due to its adaptability, durability, and flexibility. Even in harsh weather conditions such as strong winds and heavy snowfall, steel remains virtually unaffected. Steel is isotropic, meaning that its properties are the same in all directions, since there is no grain in steel its strength is the same in all loading directions. Unlike wood structures, steel does not simply wear out over time.

Fun Fact: To prove the strength of steel structures, researchers at UCSD Jacobs School of Engineering placed a six-story steel-framed structure on a shaker table to simulate a 6.7 magnitude earthquake which it impressively withstood.

2. Less Maintenance

An advantage you will love about a pre-engineered steel building is that you can depend on it year after year with virtually little to no maintenance. There is no need to worry about steel components splitting, rotting, or warping as you do with wooden structures. Unlike steel wall cladding, materials such as vinyl siding are prone to cracking and warping over time. Prestige Steel Buildings uses steel wall panels that are durable and long-lasting. Painted with polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) paint, they are fade-resistant and come with a 35-year warranty. When it comes to cleaning your steel wall cladding it is as simple as using a soft bristles broom to remove any visible dirt and using water to clean the rest.

3. Keeping Pests Away

Due to its metallic nature, steel does not attract destructive pests and insects. Lumber is vulnerable to damage from termites, woodpeckers, carpenter ants, and other rodents. Choosing a steel structure over wood can help you to avoid dealing with the structural damage these pests can cause. In addition to the cost of repair of the structure, termite treatments for an average-size home generally cost around $3,500.00. Steel eliminates all these issues and unnecessary costs.

4. Quick Construction = Lower Costs

Time is money in the construction industry, pre-engineered steel structures are erected quickly and efficiently and therefore can save you money on labor costs. Steel structural components arrive on-site straight from the factory ready to assemble, cutting down on-site construction time. Working with wood structures involves hiring skilled laborers to cut the wood to size, frame the structure, and drill holes which takes a considerable amount of extra time. Typical erection time on a steel buildings is two to four weeks.

5. Steel is Non-combustible

Steel framing is recognized as non-combustible material by the National Building Code of Canada, meaning that it won’t burn. When steel reaches temperatures over 1,500 degrees Fahrenheit it begins to lose its structural integrity, whereas wood ignites at around 390 degrees Fahrenheit. In the event of a fire, the steel structure will remain standing vs the wood structure.

6. Reduced Insurance Rates

Steel-framed buildings are often offered substantial discounts by insurance companies because of their resilience to heavy snowfalls, strong winds, pests, and other natural elements. When your structure is more resistant to damage, the risk for the insurance company is less, resulting in a lower premium.

Get a free estimate by calling 1-888-314-5751 and speaking to a member of the Prestige Steel Buildings team.