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Advantages of Steel Structures

A New Building Material for residential and light commercial construction
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BUILDING WITH STEEL

Houses have been built with wood for hundreds of years. Old growth trees make a good building material. However, a dwindling supply of old growth trees and environmental concerns have caused the quality to diminish.

Today, it is clear that there is a need for a new building material. Despite the myths that still surround the use of light gauge steel framing, it has come to the forefront as the best and most feasible alternative building material for residential and light commercial construction.

Steel: Superior construction material

Steel is a superior construction material:

  • Highest strength-to-weight ratio of any building material
  • 100% recyclable
  • Non-combustible – does not burn and will not contribute fuel to the spread of a fire
  • Inorganic – will not rot, warp, split, crack or creep
  • Dimensionally stable – does not expand or contract with moisture content
  • Consistent material quality – produced in strict accordance with national standards, no regional variations

Termite Resistance

Steel framing offers unmatched protection against termites, ensuring long-term structural integrity in your projects. With steel, you eliminate the risk of termite infestations that can compromise timber structures. Avoid delays and costly repairs by choosing steel, a material that requires no termite treatments and guarantees a more reliable outcome for your builds.

Mold Prevention

Steel does not retain moisture, providing an optimal solution for preventing mold growth in construction. Unlike wood, which can absorb moisture and lead to mold issues, steel remains dry and stable, even in high-humidity environments. Build with steel to ensure a healthier, mold-resistant structure, enhancing overall project quality and reducing long-term maintenance concerns.

Fire Resistance

Steel framing is non-combustible and will not fuel a fire. Steel will not ignite and withstands higher temperatures.

CLADDING OPTIONS

Any cladding used with wood frame construction can be used with steel or traditional cladding modified. There are many cladding options when building with light gauge steel including:

  • Brick veneer
  • Light weight concrete
  • Hebel (aerated concrete)
  • Linear board
  • Tiled roofs and many other options

Essentially any cladding used with traditional wood frame construction can be used with steel.  Also most traditional methods of cladding can be adapted to work with light gauge steel framing.

Steel the new green

Steel remains stable, can be built with fewer materials and saves on energy costs
  • Steel is 100 percent recyclable. Each year, nearly 68.7 percent of all steel scrap is North America is recycled. (Source: Steel Recycling Institute)
  • Steel does not contribute to the growth of landfills. (Source: Steel Framing Alliance)
  • Steel framed structures stay straight and true and do not expand and contract with humidity and temperature changes.  This means that door and windows openings framed with steel remain stable and this saves on energy costs. (Source: Steel Framing Alliance)
  • Cold-formed steel has the highest strength-to-weight-ratio of any structural building material. As a result steel projects can be built with fewer materials. (Source: Steel Framing Alliance)

Consumer Benefits

Steel provides a number of benefits to the consumer including:

  • High strength results in safer structures, less maintenance and slower aging of structure
  • Fire safety
  • Not vulnerable to termites
  • No additional preservative chemicals are required over and above the galvanising process to treat steel, unlike the treatment of timber
  • Not vulnerable to any type of fungi or organism
  • Less probability of foundation problems – 5 times lighter than wood which results in less movement
  • Less probability of damage in an earthquake – lighter structure with stronger connections results in less seismic force
  • Less probability of damage in high winds – stronger connections, rivetted and screwed versus nailed

Builder Benefits

  • Lighter than other framing materials – no lifting equipment required on site. One person can easily carry a 5-metre fabricated panel
  • Easy material selection – no need to cull or sort
  • Straight walls and Square corners
  • Calls backs due to cracks are eliminated
  • Windows and doors open and close as they should
  • Less scrap and waste (2% for steel vs. 20% for timber)
  • Environmental selling and green positioning
  • Consumer perceives steel as better
  • No drying out period in wet weather, resulting in no delays

Setting the Industry Standard for Excellence in Steel

“The biggest contribution Scottsdale has made to my business has been in being there when we need them. I live in New Orleans, we operate out of New Orleans, and we have hurricanes and frequent power outages. Every time we have needed Scottsdale to sign back onto our system remotely from New Zealand or Australia, they are there to do it and that has been a lifesaver.”

Chad Brown, Founder of Dominion USA, Inc.

“With the cost of housing in Canada homes and with rentable suites as mortgage helpers becoming increasingly popular, Scottdale’s LGS system allows for a complete open concept basement to develop suites. There is a significant shortage of skilled labor in Canada, and Scottsdale’s system allows homes to be built with “unskilled” workers.”

Tom Rus, DMF President & GM

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