How is steel energy efficient? Is Cold Formed Steel a robust construction material? Does it limit home design capabilities? Will a steel framed home look different to other homes? What are the advantages of CFS for residential construction projects?
These are common questions we get about Cold Formed Steel as companies decide to shift towards Cold Formed Steel construction using the FRAMECAD technology.
To learn even more, please check out Framecad’s free eBook:
The Future of Construction. The case for building with Cold Formed Steel.
HOW MUCH STEEL IS USED IN A TYPICAL HOUSE?
A single storey house using cold-formed steel for the wall and roof framing has approximately 16-21 kg of steel per square metre of floor space. A two storey house has approximately 19-25 kg of steel per square metre of floor space.
IS STEEL DURABLE?
Galvanized steel will not crack, shrink, splinter, creep, split, warp, swell or rot. Steel is impervious to termites and wood destroying insects.
IS STEEL SAFE?
Steel’s strength and non-combustible properties offer greater protection for your home and family. Choosing steel-framing can eliminate high wind, fire, and lightning damage to your home.
ARE THERE DESIGN LIMITS?
No, because of steel’s strength you can design your home with larger open spaces. With a steel frame, the walls will remain straight and true and can be finished with any materials that are traditionally used. A steel frame home will look exactly like any other home. The same exterior finishes can be applied to a steel frame as those applied in standard construction.
WHAT IS USED TO CLAD THE STEEL FRAME WITH?
There are a range of cement based panel products for cladding the exterior of the building. These range from compressed cement sheets through to sophisticated composite panels with excellent thermal properties. On the interior it’s possible to use gypsum boards.
CAN A STEEL FRAMED HOUSE BE REMODELED?
Yes. Since steel framing enables larger spans in the design of the home, fewer interior load bearing walls are needed, making renovation very easy while allowing more flexibility in design.
WILL THE STEEL RUST?
No. The use of zinc coating on the steel framing protects the steel from corrosion for the life of the structure.
CAN YOU BUILD MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS WITH COLD FORMED STEEL?
Yes, buildings up to 10 storeys can be built faster and more efficiently than using traditional structural steel or concrete.
WHAT IS THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF USING STEEL?
The overall recycling rate of the steel industry is 86%, the highest of any industry in the world, this offers an environmentally sound alternative for home framing. Steel framing scrap is a valuable commodity that should not end up in a landfill.
IS STEEL RECYCLABLE?
Steel framing is the environmentally friendly residential framing choice. When you compare that it takes 40-50 mature trees and only six scrapped cars to frame a 200 n² home, you can quickly appreciate the value of steel today and the impact on generations to come.
IS A STEEL FRAME HOME ENERGY EFFICIENT?
Yes, steel framing can easily be designed to meet and exceed energy efficiency standards across the world. Steel framed walls are unaffected by temperature or humidity changes, more of the heating and air-conditioning cost remain inside the house, saving money spent on utility bills.
IS A STEEL FRAME SAFE FROM LIGHTNING DURING STORMS?
Yes. A steel frame actually allows more protection for the occupants since it provides a direct path to the ground in the event of a lightning strike. This reduces the likelihood of explosions or secondary fire.