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| Steel Trends |
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| The Growing Use of Steel Framing |
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Since 1992 there has been an explosion in the use of pre-fabricated light gauge steel building components in low-rise commercial and institutional construction. Light gauge roof trusses, wall panels, and joist systems have proved to be an extremely cost-effective, non-combustible alternative to traditional building materials. Light gauge steel (LGS) can be used on commercial structures up to eight stories high and is now commonly used to build: |
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| • Office and Bank Buildings |
53% |
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| • Laboratories |
45% |
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| • Dormitories |
49% |
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| • Hospital and Health Treatment |
53% |
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| • Public Buildings |
53% |
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| • Apartments |
52% |
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| • Assisted Living/Nursing Homes |
52% |
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| It was not until 1999-2000 that a prescriptive method for building with LGS steel became available and incorporated into residential building codes. This allows LGS to be built using the same “rules” as wood (wood has had prescriptive methods and code acceptance since the 1920s). Building methods, fasteners, familiarity, tools, and experience all had a 75-year head-start with wood. Today, product standards, prescriptive building methods, adoption by the codes, and training the code officials have collectively leveled the playing field for steel. Tested, code approved, economical, durable, with a long list of ICBO reports (now called ICC-ES Reports), light gauge steel now further qualifies as a major player in the building industry. |
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Builders and developers find numerous advantages to using steel framing, including:
- Strength
- Durability
- Accuracy and Dimensional Stability
- Termite Proof
- Earthquake and Wind Resistant
- Mold Resistant
- Lightening Resistant
- Fire Resistant
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But costs are what drive all construction projects and the development of LGS components for the building industry was done entirely to reduce costs. So while the material costs of building with steel or wood are about the same, the most appealing feature of steel framing for builders is the cost savings in time and labor. High volume, precision manufacturing simply cannot be done with wood. Modern LGS component manufacturing is capable of producing much greater quantities, with much greater accuracies and with far less labor than wood.
One of the biggest cost saving features of steel framing is the ability to “panelize” the framing components. Panelizing involves assembling steel walls in a factory setting before shipping them whole to the construction site. Utilizing this approach both labor and materials costs are reduced, and other obstacles that are common in the field are eliminated, as the panels, walls, roof and floors are framed in a warehouse on an assembly line, almost like cars. Due to its low weight, light gauge steel is perfectly suited for this construction process.
Nationwide, there are hundreds of manufacturers of steel components. These manufacturers typically have a network of distributors who sell directly to building materials suppliers, builders and home remodeling centers. In addition, the number of building suppliers that stock steel framing is increasing. |
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