STEEL FRAMING - FACTS & BENEFITS

What is cold formed steel?
• Cold formed steel framing members are made from structural-quality sheet steel. This is formed into shapes either through press-braking blanks sheared from sheets or coils, or more commonly, by roll-forming the steel through a series of dies.
• Unlike hot-formed structural I-beams, neither process requires the use of heat to form the shape, thus the name "cold-formed" steel.
• Cold formed steel products are generally thinner, faster to produce, and they cost less than their hot-formed counterparts.

Why use steel?
• Steel has several advantages as a structural material.
• It has a very high strength to weight ratio - a little goes a long way in structural terms.
• Although steel uses considerable energy in its initial manufacture, it can be formed into precisely engineered sections to ensure that no material is wasted.
• Steel may be easily re-used and recycled at the end of a structure's life.
• In addition, a steel frame will not warp or rot, it doesn't burn or add fuel to fires, and it is impervious to termite attacks.

How does steel work?
• After delivery to the jobsite, frames are erected in a manner similar to wood frame products.
They are placed in position, then aligned, squared and leveled and fixed through the bottom plate and at corner junctions.
• Typical fixings include bolts, self-drilling screws, rivets, expanding masonry anchors or power-driven nails, and they are dependent upon the system used or requirements of local authorities or engineers.
• Steel wall panel systems may be joined together on site by welding, bolts, rivets or screws, depending on joining equipment available.

Why is steel the better way to build?
• Proven track record - Cold-formed steel is a proven framing material with a long history in commercial building.
• Ultimate strength - The inherent strength of steel allows for the highest seismic and wind load specifications in the country.
• Steel wall panel systems, have a high degree of rigidity and are non-shrinking and non-creeping at ambient temperatures.
• Quick Turnaround - Panelized wall systems allow a home to be built in days as opposed to weeks or months when using traditional wood products.
• Non-combustible - The new classification of steel framing has resulted in reduced insurance premiums when compared to combustible frame construction.
• Sub-Contractor Ease - Residential steel framing members are manufactured with pre-punched holes for piping and electrical wiring, minimizing prep work.

Trusses & Joists
• Steel joists and trusses can achieve greater spans, opening up large spaces inside a home.
• Wall panels and truss systems can be quickly and easily installed by contractors.

@ STEELSENSE 2007