Reasons For The Widespread Use Of Steel In Construction
Choosing building materials is part of any construction project. The materials you choose to build with will influence the performance, safety, and durability of your building or structure.
Steel is a widely used material in construction due to its many remarkable qualities. Continue reading to learn why steel has become a valuable material available for construction purposes.
Incredible Strength
Strength is a vital selection criterion for building material. As the need to build super-strong structures increases, steel has quickly become a favored construction material for many contractors and project owners.
Steel is one of the strongest metal alloys available for construction applications. The high yield strength of steel offers a high level of resistance against structural loads and stresses that may lead to material deformation.
What's more, steel boasts a high strength-to-weight ratio, meaning that the dead weight of steel structures is relatively small compared to regular timber and concrete structures.
High Durability
Aside from being extremely strong, steel is highly durable. This metal alloy does not expand or contract when exposed to moisture. And, it's not vulnerable to insect damage.
While corrosion remains the biggest threat to the longevity of steel structures, advances in metal coating technology have made it possible to manufacture high-performance steels that offer superior protection against corrosion damage.
Recycling Potential
Where do all the waste materials from construction sites go?
Nearly all steel products from end-of-life buildings or structures end up in metal recycling centers. As a result, most of the steel used in today's construction industry contains recycled content.
The recycling of steel helps reduce the amount of solid waste taken to landfills, thus minimizing the ecological impact of landfill operations. Steel recycling also reduces the demand for virgin steel, which requires more energy, water, or other natural resources to produce than recycled steel.
Cost-Effective Building Solution
While the upfront cost of building with steel can be high, the associated long-term financial savings justify the expense. The high strength and durability of steel structures combined with their low-maintenance design make for an economical building solution in the long run.
A properly functioning building or structure is achievable only with quality materials. As a result, you cannot take your construction material selection process lightly. Feel free to talk to the experts at a steel company if you need help selecting the right steel supplies for your upcoming construction project.
For more info, contact a local steel supplier.
