Steel is now used in house framing. This is because steel is durable, affordable, strong, and versatile. It can be used in framing for structures such as bridges, skyscrapers, high rises to malls and homes. One of the properties of steel which makes it more durable than other metals is that it has a high strength to weight ratio. You my use steel flat as well as steel square for framing. However, to make sure that you will make an informed decision, you should know what steel framing is, and its advantages and disadvantages.
Steel Framing
Before, houses used wood for framing. However, modern carpentry now uses steel studs instead. These studs are large sheets of steel. In order to make these sheets supportive of proper ventilation, these sheets have to go through a process where they are passed under rollers which do not utilize heat in the process of doing so. These rollers are needed in the process since they are the ones which will bend the steel and form them into different shapes, as needed in the buildings. There are various shapes which a sheet could be made into such as C shape, stud, lips, flanges or webs. Steel studs also come in different variety in terms of shapes and sizes. While steel studs are still in the refinery, they are cut into lengths which are easier to manage. Most of them though are custom cut while still in the plant. Due to the exclusion of the use of heat in the whole process, steel maintains its inherent strength and integrity at the same level. After undergoing through the rollers, it can be expected that the new shape of the steel studs will make them even stronger than the original.
Advantages
1. Studs and joists made out of steel are light weight and look uniform.
2. Steel is not prone to termite tunnels and other destruction brought about by insects.
3. Quality steel such as steel flat and steel square can survive harsh weather conditions such as earthquake, typhoon, hurricane and the like.
4. Steel also serves as a stable source of material for the framing of the buildings. This is because its price is not dictated by changes in the supply and price changes of the lumber industry.
5. Steel is also a recycled material and is recyclable as well. This makes it all the more environment friendly.
6. Steel framing makes building adjustments or remodeling easy to do. This is because it can be easily removed.
7. Steel, likewise, has the properties to resist fire and withstand adverse conditions. As a result, this makes the building’s insurance premium lower.
8. Steel can weather high winds and areas with seismic movements.
Disadvantage
Thermal bridging may happen. This will result to drastic changes in the temperature within a building. Furthermore, the drop and rise in temperature can cost the building owner more with heating costs and moisture damage. It is better to spend more money in the beginning to stop problems happening in the future.
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