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Since the introduction of steel to the construction industry, there have been different advancements it has brought with it. Today, you can see this from the different groundbreaking structures available. Specifically, the benefits of steel, other features, and materials like cement, timber, clay, and more are rapidly becoming obsolete and less frequently used by construction companies today.
Steel remains the top option for commercial and residential properties across the world today. Most of the skyscrapers you see today are made of steel structures. Another critical thing to note is that steel offers an impressive level of durability and versatility, which gives it an edge over other construction materials. Steel is excellent for any environment. It’s not difficult to handle, thereby making the construction process a lot easier.
In addition, it mostly comes pre-engineered, implying that there won’t be any need to shape or cut it. There are many other benefits of steel, such as its level of flexibility, unlike other construction materials that are widely used today. Regarding the level of stability it offers, the key thing to note is that with steel, you won’t need to raise load-bearing pillars or walls.
Strength is equally not a question, as steel remains one of the strongest construction materials today. With everything above, you might wonder about the different steel options you must choose. Two standard options are usually presented to people; structural steel and light gauge steel. In this article, we’ll take you through the differences between these two steel options so that you can choose your preferred steel material.
Structural Steel
The creation of structural steel involves heating iron and other substances to give it a unique property. Today this is considered one of the most significant resources used in the construction industry, primarily for the excellent benefits it offers and the premium strength it provides. Most large construction projects today are done with structural steel, and examples include bridges, industrial plants, and multistory buildings.
One key thing to note is that structural steel is hot rolled, making it thicker and heavier than other alternatives. With that said, here’s an overview of the advantages and disadvantages of structural steel that you should know.
Advantages of structural steel
Here’s an overview of the advantages of structural steel:
- Structural steel is designed to be durable, which allows it to easily withstand the external pressure caused by different conditions. This includes thunderstorms and earthquakes, but for this to be the case, it will need to be correctly maintained.
- Another pro of structural steel is that it is relatively cheap, unlike other materials used for building projects.
- Flexibility is also a significant selling point of structural steel. Even though structural steel is extremely strong, it is designed to be easily moulded into any shape without any substantial changes to the properties it provides. Basically, it’s easy to convert structural steel into sheets or turn it into wire, depending on what you are designing.
- Another fantastic benefit of structural steel is that it is easy to produce, as steel is primarily created off-site, after which it is assembled on-site, unlike other construction materials. This makes it a lot more effective and makes the construction process a lot faster. Eventually, this can save costs significantly.
- Structural steel is hot rolled, which makes it super strong after it hardens.
Disadvantages of structural steel
Here’s an overview of the disadvantages of structural steel:
- Structural steel is made of an alloy of iron, which makes it highly susceptible to corrosion. However, this is a problem that the addition of anti-corrosion substances can solve.
- Even though steel is generally cheap, its maintenance cost is on the high side as you may need to paint it so that it can become resistant to corrosion. This may cost you more than when you use other construction materials.
- The use of steel requires a lot of technology, which may add to the expenses incurred. In addition, its extensive weight also involves the use of technology for transporting structural steel to the construction site.
Light Gauge Steel
Light gauge steel is another steel option that you should know, and this is a cold-formed steel that creates a thin and long sheet that can be shaped into a guided Z or C pattern. This also allows it to effortlessly withstand heavy loads, unlike other construction materials.
Basically, light gauge steel frames and components are fabricated and produced using quality steel coils. Another thing to note is that the process is done at ambient temperatures and with the aid of roll-forming machines. This steel option is mainly applied on residential properties, but it can also be used on light commercial projects, and it’s an excellent replacement for wood framing.
One of the notable reasons why it is widely applied today is that it is versatile, cost-effective, and results in faster build times, unlike many other construction materials that are used today.
Advantages of light gauge steel
Here’s an overview of the advantages of light gauge steel:
- Light gauge steel is versatile and can be shaped into any form. It can also be insulated with other materials.
- Unlike other materials, building times are much faster with light gauge steel. This is because there’s no need for on-site cutting or welding, which is usually time-consuming. Basically, with light gauge steel, building time becomes much faster than when using other materials.
- Another benefit of light gauge steel is that it is lightweight but still one of the strongest materials used in the construction industry. It is also a handy option for building structures similar to wooden frames.
- Modifying light gauge steel at any point in its lifespan is easy. This creates room for different modifications.
Disadvantages of light gauge steel
Here’s an overview of the disadvantages of light gauge steel:
In addition to the pros above, there are a few disadvantages that you should know, and they include the following:
- Even though it’s similar to structural steel, it can quickly lose its property, especially when subjected to extreme conditions like fire and other physical conditions.
- The constructions don’t usually work effectively on their own. They often require sheathing, drywall, additional wooden components, and insulation to work effectively.
- Another thing to note is that light gauge steel sometimes requires soundproofing because it can easily transmit sound.
- It is also highly prone to rust, but this issue can be treated.
It would be best if you never forgot that using steel in construction helps to enhance the strength and versatility of the building. Knowing the pros and cons of the different types of steel used within the construction industry is the first step towards ensuring that you’re using the correct type of steel for your project. Among the different kinds of steel you would come across, the main ones are structural steel and light gauge steel.
Consult Steel Fabricators to Make the Right Choice
When it comes to the benefits steel offers within the construction industry, no other materials can match. Both structural steel and light gauge steel are designed to handle all aspects of their intended purpose with strength and resistance.
These two options are designed to make construction work go faster and be more effective. However, before using steel for your project, it’s essential to consult with a professional steel fabricator for anything related to steel construction.
These steel fabricators are experts in all things steel and can help you with everything from installing your steel frame to taking care of any repairs and replacements. There are many options, styles, and budgets available for you to consider.
Therefore, consulting with a steel fabrication specialist is the best approach to take. This is because it will help further guarantee the quality of structural or light gauge steel framing you get for your home or business in the long run. In addition, this makes the decision-making process much easier for you as experts can better advise which type of steel is suited to your needs.
