Why Cold Formed Steel is the Best Choice to Use for Prefabrication

Cold formed steel (CFS) is a material that is rapidly gaining popularity. It has several advantages over traditional construction techniques involving hot-formed steel and hot-rolled steel. Many of the firms and contractors in the construction industry are using cold formed steel, or CFS, as part of their prefabrication process will be able to reap rewards including cost savings, increased efficiency and expediency, heightened productivity, shorter construction time, lower environmental impact, and reduced risk.

But what is cold formed steel and how can it transform your prefabrication processes? In this blog, we’ll explore the fundamentals of cold formed steel and why CFS is an important part of the process of prefabrication.

What is cold formed steel construction?

Cold formed steel (CFS) is the term used for steel products that have been manufactured using cold working processes. This usually involves rolling and shaping steel at close to room temperature, as opposed to other common methods that require high levels of heat. These techniques have been standard in the construction industry since the mid-twentieth century, and their popularity has skyrocketed in recent years.

Prefabricated construction of cold formed steel involves taking these cold-rolled members and assembling them off-site in a controlled environment into sections such as wall panels, then transporting them to construction sites. Skilled workers experienced in CFS will erect these panels into the appropriate framing structures and put them in their place. This off-site fabrication stands in opposition to alternative methods in the construction market, where traditional buildings are constructed piece by piece (or stick framed) on site.

Cold formed steel framing can be used in almost any building, from offices, to multi-use apartments with retail stores in the lower levels, and even for residential homes. The pre-engineered material is incredibly lightweight and easy to install, while also being extremely strong and non-combustible. These properties combined with the lower cost and greater efficiency of production mean CFS is the material of choice for developers who wish to maximize their return on investment.

Reduced Risk

Building with prefabricated cold formed steel reduces the amount of activity that takes place on the construction site. Although there are safety regulations and procedures in place, accidents do occur over the course of many projects, but prefabrication lowers the risk to construction teams.

Assembly of CFS is easy, which reduces injuries and other disruptions that can occur onsite. Overall management of the construction project is easier and increases the likelihood of success.

Versatility, Flexibility, and Sustainability

The prefabricated construction of cold formed steel components generally occurs with the aid of computer engineering, well before building begins on the job site. The prefabricated elements are measured and cut with complete precision before they are assembled, leaving no room for error.

This allows for an almost endless array of possibilities when it comes to design, making it one of the most versatile and flexible processes in construction technology. By designing the prefabricated portions of a building ahead of time, and with the proper coordination, the need for last minute design changes is gone, unlike with a stick framed structure, where each piece is individually cut and installed on site.

Also, cold formed steel is environmentally sustainable with each piece containing no less than 25% recycled materials. All CFS is 100% recyclable which makes it better for the environment than some other materials. CFS uses less energy to make, and it can be recycled more easily. That means it’s good for the planet.

Cost Savings

All of the benefits listed above contribute to the cost effectiveness of CFS in prefabrication and its superiority over alternative construction methods. Such factors mean developers can reduce the total cost of the entire construction project.

A project that is more expedient means contractors complete work faster and vacate job sites sooner. This lowers labor costs, transportation costs, as well as the expense involved in purchasing raw materials and other components. This necessitates a far smaller budget, while the shorter cycle also reduces the likelihood of costly errors and obstacles holding up the process.

Additionally, manufacturing the prefabricated materials offsite reduces both the costs of onsite construction and labor, as well as and the quantity of waste produced.