You have numerous material options when constructing commercial buildings. While many types have been used for decades, none can serve your purpose better than steel.
Modern steel offers a number of advantages when used for commercial construction. Here are the top seven.
Seven Advantages of Steel in Commercial Construction
- Consistent Quality
- Cost Efficiency
- Design Flexibility
- Durability
- Speed of Construction
- Strength
- Sustainability
1. Consistent Quality
Building with steel offers the assurance of uniform quality and performance.
- High Standards– Steel is produced with high standards and exact specifications. This leads to a performance that is consistent over the life of a structure.
- Quality Control– Steel manufacturers rely on producing a product that constantly maintains the same performance. Quality control checks are an integral part of ensuring high performance.
2. Cost Efficiency
Steel offers both immediate and long-term savings.
- Immediate Savings– This includes lower labour costs as well as fast construction.
- Long-Term Savings– Steel buildings will need less maintenance over the life of the structure. Additionally, the energy efficiency of steel buildings saves money over time.
3. Design Flexibility
The strength and flexibility of steel help designers bring creative and functional designs to life.
- Adaptable– Steel seamlessly integrates with other construction materials. This allows for additions to existing buildings as well as eye-catching designs.
- Open Areas– Because of the inherent strength of steel, spaces can be made without numerous support columns. This attribute simplifies the creation of modern and aesthetically pleasing designs.
4. Durability
Steel structures can stand the test of time. Additionally, steel has a number of inherent safety features that are not found in other building materials. These include,
- Fire Resistance– A steel building can withstand high temperatures. The range depends on the type of steel used. For example,
- Plain carbon steel up to- 399°C
- ½% molybdenum alloy steel up to- 454°C
- Stainless steel up to- 1,150°C
- Corrosion Resistance– Steel can resist corrosion, yet steel treated with specific coatings has enhanced resistance and is suitable for harsh environments. Barrier coatings such as epoxy, nylon, and urethane adhere to the metal and form a layer that extends steel’s lifespan and reduces future maintenance costs.
- Resists Pests and Decay– Steel is not impacted by pests that ruin wood, nor is it subject to damage from moisture or mould.
5. Speed of Construction
Prefabricated steel is an ideal material that facilitates efficient construction. It also lends itself to maintaining high quality and durability.
- Reduced Labour Costs– A fast construction time reduces labour costs because workers spend less time on the job site.
- Reduced Disruption– When building in an urban setting, reduction of noise and other inconveniences is vital. A faster turnaround time ensures that projects cause as little disturbance as possible.
- Fewer Weather Concerns– Because the assembly of prefabricated buildings is fast, work dependent on good weather is completed in a short amount of time. Once the outer shell of the building is complete, inside work can take place in any type of weather.
6. Strength
Steel is exceptionally strong. This is an advantage for the following reasons.
- Strength-to-Weight Ratio– A good strength-to-weight ratio means steel has a high load-bearing capacity. This makes steel the ideal material for use in large projects like constructing tall buildings or bridges.
- Uniformity and Predictability-Steel is made to high standards under tightly controlled conditions. This ensures that each piece will have the same qualities.
- Safety– The strength of steel provides the assurance that structures will maintain structural integrity, even in adverse conditions.
7. Sustainability
Steel’s sustainability helps to reduce the need for new, raw steel because it can be reused several times without losing its strength. The key ways steel helps the planet are;
- Reduced Construction Waste– When steel is used to make prefabricated construction elements, the result is a precise product that produces little waste.
- Recyclability– Steel is unique because it is one of the most recyclable materials on the planet. It is more energy-efficient to recycle steel than to make new steel. Around two out of every three tonnes of steel used in new projects is recycled material.
- Efficient Use of Resources– Buildings made from steel are more energy efficient than those made from other types of material. Energy efficiency reduces the amount of energy necessary to operate the building.
Steel’s qualities are unmatched. Consider the various advantages of using steel in your next commercial building project. You will benefit from the many attributes, including the fact that buildings made from steel remain strong, safe, and functional for years to come.
We have years of experience with custom commercial steel construction at Steel Frames, WA. Contact us to make plans for your next construction project.
