What Makes Steel Stand Out From Other Building Materials?
The modern era of construction has undoubtedly led to lots of innovation and advancement. Engineers and builders select building materials depending on the value they can derive from them. Therefore, you shouldn't be surprised when your contractor takes time to choose one from the many options available to him or her. Out of brick, stone, steel and fibre, cement and other options available in the market, the builder must make sure that he or she settles for something cost-friendly and functional. On that account, what makes steel stand out from its peers? The following information will help you understand why steel is the ideal choice for building your warehouse:
Steel Is a Lightweight Material
Well, tagging the name lightweight to a piece of steel may sound ironical considering its density. However, you cannot compare its weight to other materials such as stone and wood. A three-by-four piece of steel does not have the same construction frame required by a piece of wood with the same measurements. Lighter weight means that you have a chance to reduce labour costs because you need fewer working hours to assemble your steel pieces. Freight costs also reduce, especially when dealing with transporters who charge for each unit of weight they carry.
Faster Construction Process
When it comes to construction, meeting deadlines is necessary for effective management of resources. You need a workable material that easy to cut, mould and manipulate. Gladly, steel meets all these requirements. Additionally, you can use pre-fabricated components delivered to the site and ready for fitting on various sections of your warehouse. You don't have to worry about long curing periods needed by materials such as concrete.
Ease of Expansion
Steel offers lots of flexibility for expanding your warehouse in the future. Simple welds and bolts hold steel structures together, making it easy for you to modify when the need arises. You can cut through the steel with special blades or torches, and unfasten the bolts holding steel pieces together for expansion. Such procedures are more complicated when you for bricks or stone.
There are Many Types of Steel
Steel fabricators have different types of steel you can choose to meet your particular needs. Example include:
- Stainless steel – has about 10 to 20% of chromium. The chromium composition makes it withstand corrosion effectively.
- Alloy Steel – comprises a rich combination of other metals such as manganese, silicon and aluminium. In construction, alloy steel works well for sections such as pipes and sewer lines.
To learn more, contact your local structural fabrication company today.
