Why Cold-Formed Steel is Better than Structural Steel for Mid-Rise Buildings
If you’re involved in real estate development, contracting, architecture, or work in the construction industry, then you know how vital it is to select the correct building materials for your mid-rise residential and commercial buildings. Look no further because Cold-formed steel (CFS) is the top choice. With its high strength-to-weight ratio and increased cost savings, CFS provides many benefits over traditional structural steel.
From better fire and wind resistance to faster installation times, cold-formed steel is ideal for safety and efficiency when working with mid-rise buildings. This blog post will explore why cold-formed steel should be the go-to material for your next mid-rise commercial structure.
Introducing Cold-Formed Steel and its Benefits
Cold-formed steel is a superior material for construction because it offers strength and durability while remaining lightweight. As a result, cold-formed steel framing has become increasingly popular in recent years as a cost-effective solution that saves both time and money, making it the preferred choice for many construction projects.
Cold-formed steel framing can be formed into bendable shapes that are more structurally secure than traditional wood framing—making cold-formed steel framing ideal for projects that may have complex design configurations. Its versatility and strength make it a smarter choice for architects and builders seeking an efficient, cost-effective framing solution.
Examining the Strength of Cold-Formed Steel Compared to Structural Steel
Cold-Formed Steel (CFS) is an ideal building material for mid-rise projects. Compared to its rival, Structural Steel, CFS is an incredibly efficient framing system that will support buildings for years. It is lightweight, sturdier than wood, and can be made with full galvanization or primer system for additional protection against the elements.
Structural steel is heavier and more expensive than cold-formed steel, making it more difficult and costly to transport and install. In addition, structural steel requires more welding, which adds to the complexity of the construction project. Structural steel also requires more time to fabricate and erect due to its heavier weight, posing a greater risk of delays to the project schedule. Finally, structural steel is more prone to corrosion, making it less reliable and not as long lasting as cold-formed steel.
Not only is CFS a cost-effective choice in mid-rise construction but it can easily be manipulated into various shapes depending on the need of the building while offering superior strength and fire resistance compared to alternative materials. Additionally, CFS can be used instead of structural steel when load-bearing walls are needed due to its greater resistance when considering deflection and local buckling.
For mid-rise projects, CFS is the best option currently on the market due to its strength, affordability, and versatility.
Cost-Effectiveness of Cold-Formed Steel
The construction industry has seen many advantages in using CFS load-bearing components, from erecting structures more quickly to satisfy the requirements of building codes and local regulations. The framing created by CFS is a lightweight material that doesn’t require intensive labor or specialized tools to handle, allowing construction companies greater control over project costs and shorter construction cycles.
Cold-formed steel is an excellent choice for those seeking to take advantage of its numerous savings opportunities. It is a highly cost-effective material with low labor and material costs and easy scalability.
Exploring the Ease of Use with CFS
Among the unique benefits of CFS in building construction is its ease of use. The modern cold-forming process produces lighter and stronger products than other construction materials, reducing labor costs for job sites. It also allows for tighter code-compliant tolerances, making it an ideal option for any project.
Cold-formed steel’s extra strength eliminates the need for additional bracing and stabilization during installation, reducing labor time and costs. The ability to easily customize these components gives architects more design flexibility while saving time and money when constructing modern buildings.
Another advantage of CFS over structural steel framing is its ability to be used for repetitive framing members. This can be especially beneficial in multi-level buildings, where the same framing members are used throughout the structure, which helps reduce the time spent on the job site and helps to ensure that the highest quality materials are used throughout the entire structure.
Finally, CFS is much easier to work with than traditional wood construction or wood framing. CFS is easier to cut and shape, making it ideal for light-frame construction projects. CFS is also more fire-resistant than conventional wood construction and provides greater structural stability, making it a better choice for high-rise buildings.
How Quickly Can You Construct a Building With Cold-Formed Steel?
Cold-formed steel framing provides several benefits for your construction projects. One significant advantage is the speed with which the structure can be erected, even with a smaller crew. For example, a team of just eight workers can quickly and efficiently erect prefabricated sections, averaging up to 6,500 SF per week. By using CFS instead of heavy materials like concrete and masonry, you can save three months or more on the schedule for a mid-rise project.
Moreover, the CFS prefabrication process, which involves precision cutting, welding, and prepping offsite and transporting completed sections for easy onsite assembly, reduces labor, time, and construction costs.
With the proper engineering techniques and tools, constructing with cold-formed steel becomes quicker and more efficient while ensuring the result is a reliable structure you can depend upon for years.
Understanding the Durability and Longevity of a Structure Built With Cold-Formed Steel
When it comes to durability and longevity, CFS beats much of the competition, hands down. CFS is an incredibly reliable product that can sustain in challenging environmental conditions. Having a superior life expectancy makes it a preferred choice for projects where the materials have to withstand extreme weather while maintaining long-term structural strength. Additionally, CFS holds up much better under heavy loads than other products.
CFS is a perfect building material for those who want their construction projects to stand the test of time. It’s estimated that with proper coating and construction techniques, CFS can last for up to 700 years, even in the harshest conditions. The material is resistant to corrosion, mold, vermin, and fire, providing an unbeatable combination of durability and reliability.
Top Reasons Cold-Formed Steel is the Best Option
Cold-Formed Steel provides benefits that can positively impact your mid-rise residential and commercial projects In short, here are eight reasons why you should consider CFS for your next construction project:
- Cold-formed steel is lighter than structural steel, making it easier to transport and install.
- Cold-formed steel is a type of steel that is formed at room temperature and is a popular choice for construction due to its lightweight.
- Cold-formed steel is an incredibly versatile building material.
Cold-formed steel provides better insulation than structural steel, lowering energy costs. - Cold-formed steel construction is more cost-effective than structural steel, making it the preferred choice for mid-rise buildings.
- Cold-formed steel components are easier to fabricate than structural steel, allowing for more flexible designs.
- Cold-formed steel is more durable than structural steel, as it is less likely to deform or crack over time.
- Cold-formed steel is an increasingly popular building material due to its environmental benefits.
Conclusion
The use of cold-formed steel in mid-rise construction projects continues to grow. Steel industry analysts predict year-over-year growth in the CFS market to increase to $159.8 million by 2028.
It’s not surprising. Cold-Formed Steel is an attractive choice for anyone looking to build a lasting structure without breaking the bank. CFS is nearly 20% stronger than hot-rolled steel and contains a minimum of 25% recycled content, benefiting the environment too.
In summary, cold-formed steel is not only cost-efficient but also leads to better quality designs and a more efficient process; overall, all factors that make using cold-formed steel a better option over structural steel. All of these factors combine to make CFS the wise choice. So, why not make the switch today? To learn more about how you can incorporate cold-formed steel into your upcoming building projects, contact the team of experts at All Steel Mid-Rise today.
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