Cold Formed Steel vs. Lumber: Which is More Eco-Friendly?
When discussing the most eco-friendly building materials, it’s crucial to consider cold-formed steel (CFS) and lumber. Both have long been used as construction materials. Wood has been used as a building material for thousands of years. On the other hand, cold-formed steel construction has only been utilized since the dawn of the Industrial Revolution.
But which is more eco-friendly? In this blog, we’ll explore the environmental impacts of CFS and wood, how each is produced, their energy efficiency, carbon footprint, and sustainability. We’ll compare and contrast their qualities to determine which material is more eco-friendly today.
Overview of Cold-Formed Steel and Lumber
Cold-formed steel is a popular building material used to construct light-frame structures. It is made up of thin sheets of steel that are cut and bent into shape using various methods. CFS is strong and lightweight, making it ideal for constructing single and multi-story buildings.
CFS is also resistant to fire and pests, making it an ideal material for areas prone to these risks. It is easy to install and requires minimal maintenance, adding to its cost-effectiveness.
Wood is a widely used building material made from trees. Used in the construction of houses, garages, decks, and other structures, it is strong and durable and is a popular choice for both residential and commercial applications. Wood is also relatively inexpensive and easy to work with, allowing quick installation. Additionally, it is relatively easy to maintain, requiring only periodic sealing and staining to protect it from the elements.
How has CFS been used?
The history of CFS dates back to the late 19th century and early 20th century when it began being employed as a structural element in buildings. Initially, CFS was used primarily in industrial settings to increase structural strength and durability.
By the 1930s, CFS was introduced into residential buildings and commercial construction, and its use as a building material quickly became widespread. Steel framing with CFS was especially popular in buildings constructed mid-century, featuring modern designs, creating light and airy spaces.
CFS is even more popular today and is used for structural and non-structural elements, such as steel framing, walls, windows, doorways, ceilings, roofs, and steel studs. Cold-formed steel is affordable, easy to install, durable, fire-resistant, and energy-efficient. Its light weight makes it an ideal choice for high-rise buildings, while its versatility and long-lasting properties make it a great choice of building material for many construction types.
Examining Cold-Formed Steel Production
CFS is created by passing a steel sheet or strip through rollers. The sheet or strip is then cut to the desired length and bent into the desired shape. This process is known as cold forming because no heat shapes the steel.
The cold-forming process creates components with a higher strength-to-weight ratio than those produced using traditional hot-forming methods. The cold-forming process also has components with greater accuracy and repeatability than hot forming.
Cold Formed Steel’s Impact on the Environment
Cold-formed steel offers many advantages over traditional building materials regarding environmental impact. The production and fabrication process of cold-formed steel is significantly less energy intensive and does not require the use of large amounts of finite resources like sand, water, and limestone, which are necessary to produce some other materials.
CFS is also extremely durable, with a lifespan of up to 75 years, meaning that once it is installed, it can remain in place without needing to be replaced or repaired- which helps reduce the energy and resources used in building and demolishing structures.
CFS is primarily manufactured from recycled material and is incredibly recyclable. Up to 90% of CFS can be reused to produce new steel- helping to reduce the amount of waste that enters landfills and the energy required to make new steel from raw materials.
Additionally, cold-formed steel is much lighter than other building materials, which reduces the amount of fuel used in transportation and helps reduce the construction industry’s carbon footprint.
Recyclability of Cold-Formed Steel
Cold-formed steel is quickly becoming one of the most recyclable construction materials in the world. Its recyclability is due to the fact that it can be melted down and reused for various applications, such as automotive parts, steel structural components, and even new construction materials.
Cold-formed steel’s recyclability helps to reduce the amount of new material needed for a project and keeps waste out of landfills.
How has wood construction been used?
Lumber has long been used for wood framing residential, industrial, and commercial buildings. Wood has been used as construction material to support roofs, cladding exteriors, the fabrication of wood studs, and decorative features.
Examining Wood Production
The wood used in construction is produced by cutting down trees and then sawing them into logs. The logs are then cut into boards, planks, and other shapes depending on the desired product. The wood is dried and treated to prevent rotting and warping.
The wood is then graded and sorted to determine its quality before being cut to size and finished with sanding, staining, and other treatments. Finally, the wood is ready to be used by the construction industry.
Wood’s Impact on the Environment
Timber is a finite resource, and deforestation remains a major problem in many parts of the world. The use of wood in building construction has led to a significant amount of logging and deforestation that has disturbed the balance of nature and caused environmental degradation, including the displacement of wildlife.
In addition, the production of wood also has other environmental impacts. Lumber production requires the use of energy, which can lead to air pollution. Furthermore, the use of certain chemicals in lumber production can have a negative impact on the environment. In addition, the transportation of lumber can lead to increased emissions.
All of these impacts should be considered when considering wood construction for your next project.
Comparing the Two
Cold-formed steel (CFS) is a highly efficient and environmentally-friendly material that is exceptionally durable, allowing for a longer lifespan than traditional building materials like wood. Additionally, cold-formed steel is made using recycled material, so it has less impact on the environment than wood, which is a finite resource.
Cold-formed steel requires less energy and fewer raw materials to create and is resistant to mold and insects, reducing the need for damaging chemical treatments. Also, wood burns- cold-formed steel isn’t nearly as susceptible to fire, so construction insurance costs are often much lower. This can mean thousands of dollars in money saved for building owners.
Cold-formed steel framing is prefabricated off-site and requires less on-site labor; steel framing reduces the overall project timeline, leading to significant savings on construction costs.
In contrast, wood is a natural resource with a high environmental impact when used in construction projects. Timber requires harvesting from forests, which can lead to deforestation and the loss of natural habitat.
Additionally, wood is not as long-lasting as cold-formed steel, requiring more frequent replacement and greater use of resources. Furthermore, timber must be treated with chemical preservatives to protect it from mold and insects, which can damage the environment.
Final Thoughts
Overall, cold-formed steel proves to be the more eco-friendly choice when looking at cold-formed steel vs. wood. It offers superior durability while utilizing fewer resources, resulting in a longer life cycle and far less waste. Furthermore, cold-formed steel is easier to transport, requiring less fuel and emitting fewer emissions in the process. When it comes to sustainability, cold-formed steel is the clear winner.
If you’re interested in learning more about the advantages of cold formed steel framing, contact All Steel Mid-Rise today.
Recent Posts
How Using Cold-Formed Steel Can Help You Value Engineer Your Next Project
Enter your email to download your copy!
