How Construction Differs in Brick Homes vs Steel Framed Homes & Buildings
As expected, steel frame homes and brick homes differ significantly in how they are built.
- Steel frame homes are put together using steel beams to serve as a backbone of the building. After the backbone is built, walls, roofs, and other vital components are added to the structure.
- Brick homes are constructed by laying individual bricks to form the necessary walls. Typically, the bricks are two layers laid side-by-side of brick forming the exterior.
Critical Differences Between Brick and Steel Frame Homes
Aspect | Steel Frame Homes | Brick Homes |
---|---|---|
Durability | Resistant to moisture, pests, fire, and natural disasters. | Long-lasting but susceptible to moisture and fire damage. Requires a sealant for moisture protection. |
Build Time | Quicker construction due to off-site fabrication. | Slower construction, as bricks are laid by hand. |
Thermal Properties | Properly insulated steel frames offer superior energy efficiency. | High thermal mass, leading to slower heating and cooling times. |
Design Flexibility & Aesthetics | Allows creative designs with open floor plans due to strength. | Limited design flexibility as load-bearing walls are required. |
Durability
Steel and brick are known for being solid and durable. The durability differs between the two building materials.
- Steel is resistant to moisture, pests, fire, and many natural disasters.
- The brick is long-lasting but can be damaged by moisture and fire. However, bricks usually need to be coated with a sealant to add a layer of moisture protection.
Build Time
Because steel-framed houses are fabricated off-site, construction takes much less time than brick homes. When building brick homes, every brick is set in place by hand, which is a labour-intensive project.
Thermal Properties
Properly insulated steel-framed homes can have superior thermal resistance. This makes them more energy efficient for heating and cooling than brick houses, which take extended periods of time to heat and cool because of elevated thermal mass.
Design Flexibility and Aesthetics
Steel’s strength allows exceptional creativity in home design. For example, steel frames can support a great deal of weight and do not need additional load-bearing walls. This means open floor plans and unique fixtures are easily incorporated into your home. Brick homes require support walls, significantly limiting floor plans.
Advantages of Building With Steel Frames Over Brick
Brick has been a favoured building material for decades and is still high on the list of popular materials for home construction. However, steel frame structures offer a number of advantages over brick homes. These include,
- Quick Construction– Steel frame homes are rapidly put together on the job site. This reduces construction time compared to brick homes. For an even faster turnaround, Steel Frames WA offers you the option of purchasing one of our steel frame home kits. Your project will be completed in a fraction of the time needed to build a brick house.
- Durability and Strength– Your steel frame house will stand the test of time and harsh weather conditions. A steel frame house will not buckle, shift, warp, or twist because steel has a high strength-to-weight ratio. It will hold up better than brick.
- Resists Fire and Termites– Steel frame homes are 100% insect-proof, so there is no need for chemicals to stop bugs. Additionally, the non-combustible nature of steel reduces potential damage if a fire should break out.
- Environmental Benefits– Steel is fully recyclable and has a minimal effect on construction sites. When using steel, deforestation is not necessary, and carbon emissions are lower when compared to brick production.
- Energy Efficiency– Properly insulated steel-framed houses provide excellent regulation of heat. This makes these houses more energy-efficient for heating and cooling than brick homes.
Will the Final House Design Look the Same Whether I Use Brick or Steel Frames?
Your home will look excellent whether it is constructed using steel frames or brick. In most cases, it is quite difficult to tell the two apart. There are several reasons for this,
- We use the same or very similar window and door frames on both types of structures.
- Our designers are skilled at bringing ideas to life
- Steel-framed houses can have a single layer of bricks (called a veneer) placed over the framing.
Conclusion
Building with steel framing makes a great deal of sense when you think about all the advantages. If you choose a steel-framed structure, you can have a superior product at a similar cost that is ready for you in a shorter amount of time.
To learn more about steel-framed houses or to make an appointment and take the first steps to getting a steel-framed home, feel free to get in touch with us. The knowledgeable team at Steel Frames WA have years of experience and can help you decide the best option for your new home.