As modern living requires efficient solutions to typical problems, more owners are shifting to steel structures. These provide value for the basic needs, even safety in a disaster. The question, however, is why some homes are not made of steel structures.
The bases of unwillingness
Although steel buildings are everywhere, some ideas influence how people think there are fewer or no homes built of steel structures.
Unpopular in some places – Wood and other structures are still dominant in certain areas that you can barely notice if there’s any steel-made house. The reason can be as simple as it’s customary. Sticking to the traditional type prevents a building from looking different from the others. In some instances, the preference is the influence of neighborhood organizations that want all the abodes to look alike in their community.
Some don’t know that steel is flexible in the design aspect. Steel structures can camouflage as wood or other types. And the easiest way to do that is through painting or staining the steel.
The availability of steel experts – Homes built with steel structures may not always come easy in a place where steel experts are rare. It is a hindrance since you can only expect quality outcomes from a qualified builder or contractor. For non-experts, the process can take longer, and the expense is higher than usual. Moreover, steel construction is complex as it needs particular tools and skills to assemble the whole building.
Steel construction is deemed expensive – The upfront cost of constructing wood structures is way cheaper than steel. The gap is noticeable, especially if its construction method is conventional. The builder must measure, cut, drill, fasten, and assemble everything onsite. In that sense, it takes longer and is costlier to erect the house. It is the same with wood construction, but the latter’s edge is lighter to carry than some steels.
Why go for a home built with steel structures?
It is easy to conclude that constructing steel-framed houses is unideal. But some of the ideas about it can be an oversimplification, if not misconceptions.
A steel-built house is valuable in many places – In coastal areas, a steel-made home is ideal because it is free of termites or other pests. Wood obviously cannot endure this without demanding maintenance. Additionally, wooden materials expand and shrink depending on the weather conditions.
Wildfires also cause owners to shift to houses built in steel structures. And this disaster seems to always occur because of climate change that triggers drier conditions in many places. Most likely, homes that survived wildfires are built in steel or non-timber material. Indeed, being not flammable is another advantage of a steel building.
A steel-made house is economical – Costly steel buildings are usually constructed in a conventional method. However, there are options for clients to cut expenses, like choosing pre-engineered steel buildings. These are designed and manufactured off-site and delivered onsite to assemble everything. It saves time, materials, and effort besides money.
Moreover, whether conventional or pre-engineered, steel buildings are economical because its low maintenance and endure almost all kinds of harsh elements. And this is even more durable and comfortable to use if owners install an insulation system.
