When it comes time to choose what materials to use for your building, the sheer number of options can be overwhelming. Wood, concrete, brick, clay, glass, and stone all offer unique benefits, and they are a part of the American building tradition. However, not all building materials are equal.
In this day and age, these materials may be perfect for a business or individual primarily motivated by aesthetics, but for those looking for integrity, stability, and durability, all at a more practical value, then there is only one choice: steel. Steel provides builders with an array of advantages that other materials cannot match, making it a premier resource for constructing a building capable of standing the test of time. Let’s examine steel more closely to identify and outline some of the various ways it outperforms the competition.
It Combines Strength and Beauty
Comparatively, steel offers architects more options in color, texture, and shape than any material out there. Its combination of strength, durability, beauty, precision, and malleability gives architects broader parameters to explore ideas and develop new solutions to challenges. Steel’s long-spanning ability enables architects to create expansive open spaces, free of intermediate columns or load-bearing walls.
Its capacity to bend allows for the creation of segmented curves or free-form combinations for facades, arches, or domes, which sets steel structures apart from conventional buildings. Steel designs are prefabricated with exact specifications under highly controlled conditions, making its result more predictable and repeatable, which eliminates the risk of on-site variability.
It Is Incredibly Efficient
Forget weather-related limitations with steel. Steel and metal buildings only require a short amount of time and minimal on-site labor to assemble, regardless of the season. For more challenging sites, steel often allows for fewer points of contact with the earth, reducing the amount of excavation required. The lighter weight of structural steel compared to other framing materials, such as concrete, stone, and even some lumber, permits a less complicated foundation.
Moreover, the maintenance required for the upkeep of steel structures is vastly lower than other materials. Owners of steel buildings often boast that their buildings can sit for up to 20 years before needing any refurbishing. The resourcefulness of using steel translates to considerable economic benefits, including accelerated project schedules, reduced site management costs, and decreased labor expenses, not to mention an earlier return on investment.
Its Safety Is Unmatched
Building safety should be a leading priority for any individual or business looking to raise a structure. Steel structures are the safest choice for nearly every building application, whether it is urban or rural, commercial or municipal. Through decades of testing, engineers designed metal building kits to meet strict safety standards. Recent advances in 3D modeling have helped engineers and architects to find potentially hazardous issues and correct mistakes even before the beginning of construction.
Furthermore, steel is well known for its resistance to fire, seismic activity, and other inclement weather systems that often threaten building exteriors, including ice, wind, and water. It also protects a building’s interior contents from day-to-day combatants such as pest infestations, mold, mildew, and rot. Steel building components safeguard the building’s interior possessions while simultaneously keeping any exterior elements out.
Utilize Steel in Your Next Building
With Allied Steel Buildings, no project is too daunting. Whether you want a garage, barn, or skyscraper, we excel in creating pre-engineered steel building solutions for clients large and small. Discover the Allied Steel Buildings difference and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with a premier building company. Call us today at 1-866-530-6598 to learn more or visit our pricing page to see what we can accomplish on your behalf.
