“I’ll huff and I’ll puff and I’ll blow your house down,” shouted the Big Bad Wolf to the three little pigs. He was successful with the house made of straw and the house made of sticks. The only one he couldn’t blow down was the house made of bricks.
Building your house from a strong material is important. Have you ever considered looking into steel frame houses? Though wood has its benefits, steel is sometimes a better option.
Let’s check out what you need to know.
Installation
Some builders shy away from steel homes because of the expense involved in building them. In reality, metal-framed homes can be rapidly put together once they are on-site. The trouble mostly comes before that, building the frames requires special tools and knowledge that some companies are unwilling to invest in.
However, there are many benefits to steel-framed homes that shouldn’t be ignored. If you’re planning to take the plunge, use this guide to prep the site and be ready when the big day arrives!
Durability
Steel is one of the most durable building materials you can find. There’s a reason it has been the preferred building material for commercial buildings since the late 1800s.
Unlike wood, steel won’t warp or expand. Also, though still a threat, you don’t have to worry about water damage as much. While termites and other insects see wood houses as an open buffet, steel is not appetizing to them at all.
Finally, the best place to be during a natural disaster is inside a steel-framed building. The structure can hold up to even a level 9 earthquake and 150 mph winds.
Maintenance
Maintenance is the bane of every homeowner. Of course, some materials require more work than others.
Steel is on the less work end of the spectrum. Insects and water damage are big culprits in wood houses. Infestations and leaks have to be caught early to avoid a huge repair bill.
While steel can rust if left wet for too long, it is still highly resistant to water damage and insects don’t like metal. So you can check those problems off your maintenance list with a steel-framed house.
Safety
Wait, isn’t lightning attracted to metal? Is a steel-framed home just one big lightning rod?
Not really. Lightning may strike your home, but the charge will dissipate harmlessly into the ground because the frame is grounded in the earth. Just don’t go running over and hold the corner of your house during a lightning storm.
While no building material is completely fire-proof, steel is highly resistant. It can greatly impede the spread of fire, giving the occupants precious time to escape.
Building Steel Frame Houses
What do you think? Steel frame houses certainly have their benefits. One more bonus is that steel is recyclable, so choosing this building material is also good for the planet!
Looking for more tips and inspiration? Check out more posts on our blog!
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