The ever present importance of structural steel

Steel has always provided many benefits for the construction industry and has been used by designers and architects for decades. Due to steel being highly versatile, it can be fabricated and implemented into numerous construction projects. In terms of major architectural structures like stadiums, mall, and commercial properties, steel is a vital piece of the puzzle.

During the course of construction, steel fabricators will design and engineer the materials through the fabrication and erection period. This is why jobs in construction are so popular because they are often long-term. Working with steel is a big job, especially when the development of a major building or structure in underway.

Did you know that steel is a sustainable construction material? Most property owners prefer the value and flexibility of steel buildings versus wood, glass, and other materials. In terms of modernization, reconfiguring, and adapting or expansion with little disruption to the structure, steel can be manipulated easily. The cost of redevelopment can run very high and be harmful to the property.

However, steel significantly lowers these risks and makes the process a lot easier on the construction company, saving the building owner thousands. One might think that due to steel's durability, it would be a more costly material to use, but it truly is one of the most cost effective products available.

Highly Sustainable

Did you know that steel is the number one construction material for sustainability? It can be reused over and over again without any lasting effects on its properties. When steel-framed structures are demolished, the bits and pieces can be recycled within the steelmaking process and used to create new framework for buildings. The components can also be reused directly from the demolition site.

Presently, the UK uses over 95 percent of steel taken from demolished buildings or that has been recycled. Over half of all recycled steel materials are used in new steel production project around the world.

When it comes to materials such as concrete, steel is surprisingly a lot lighter and requires less extensive foundation work. This decreases the environmental footprint left by the construction process. When steel pile foundations are used, these materials can be retrieved, recycled, and reused when a building's purpose is through, resulting in no waste materials being left behind.

Economically Friendly

Due to steel structures being insanely durable and requiring barely any maintenance, the maximum value of the fabricated material from the resources invested within the structure can be put to use. In turn, this decreases costs associated with the building during the course of its life.

Buildings that are comprised of steel allow for open areas, free from columns within the inside of the structure. This is largely because of long span steel section. Because of this versatility, that are endless ways to configure the inside of the steel building.

When buildings are constructed with steel components, the layout of the structure can be easily changed in the future. In fact, it can be changed an endless amount of times. There are no new materials that need to be used and results in decreasing the building owners cost and increasing their profit.

Steel is Meant to Last

Steel is a very structurally sound material that is high in quality and extremely durable. In most cases, a good construction company will put their products through rigorous testing before implementing it into the fabrication process. Steel is no exception and undergoes a battery of tests before being used. Steel is known for it's strength, longevity, and being indestructible.

Unlike wood and concrete, steel-frame structures do not rot or age at the same pace. Many decades can pass before a steel building will need to be refurbished. Clearly, this sustainable material is a great investment all across the board.