Why More Residential Builders Are Using Steel
While steel has long been used for large construction projects—think skyscrapers and bridges—residential buildings have historically been framed with wood and finished with brick, concrete, or more wood. Lately, however, builders are discovering many benefits to using steel on residential structures, too. Steel offers strength and design freedom that wood and bricks just don’t supply. Here are four reasons to choose steel for your next residential project.
It’s Strong
If you’re planning to build in an area that experiences extreme heat or cold, lots of snow and ice, high winds or heavy thunderstorms, then steel is strong enough to withstand all of those things. Even better, steel also stands up against fires and earthquakes. Simply put, it’s disaster-resistant, whether those disasters are natural or man-made.
It’s Fast
Housing developments that hinge on selling the homes quickly to recoup the developers’ investments would benefit from using materials that can be assembled quickly. Because of the versatility of steel, constructing a building can be done in a matter of days. Concrete, on the other hand, takes that long just to set once poured, adding more time to the project.
It’s Eco-friendly
Even though steel is not organic or biodegradable, it is endlessly recyclable. Melting steel to use again does not compromise its integrity, making it a great choice to protect the environment. If you want a “green” home, then steel is the way to go.
It Saves Money
While steel may cost more at the outset, homebuyers will save money over time if they purchase homes framed or finished with steel rather than wood and brick. Steel is resistant to rot and won’t rust if it’s correctly insulated and maintained. It won’t crack or crumble after extreme weather like brick or concrete. Its durability ensures that homeowners have fewer maintenance tasks, which saves a lot of money over time. One other money saver to keep in mind if you’re planning to use steel in your residential construction: insurance premiums are often lower for the very reasons listed above. This is a very attractive benefit to consider as you choose your building materials.
One last thing: buying surplus or Less-than-Prime© steel from Texas Iron & Metal helps you save even more. That’s savings you can apply to other areas of your project or pass on to your clients. LTP© steel is just as strong and durable as Prime steel, and it’s perfect for any internal use, such as framing and flooring.
Our inventory at Texas Iron & Metal is enormous. You’re sure to find exactly what you need for your next residential building project. If we don’t have it, we’ll find it for you right away. Just let us know what you need by giving us a call or requesting a quote by email or this form on our website.