Should You Build Your Home Using Steel?

Jason Hunt

Wood-framed homes have been extremely popular in Canada because the country was heavily forested when the population began to boom. The decision to use wood to build houses was simple because the material was readily available. However, wood isn't your only option. More and more people are building homes from steel because steel is cost-effective and offers several benefits. So, before you tell your contractor to start purchasing lumber, learn more about steel buildings and the benefits they offer. 

Steel House Options

When you choose to build a home using steel, you can build a house with a steel exterior or opt for steel framing and more traditional exterior finishes, such as vinyl siding and asphalt roof shingles. If you opt to use steel to finish the exterior of your home, you don't have to worry that your finished house will resemble an old trailer. Steel houses are designed so that they resemble traditional-style homes.

When finished, the interior of your home will look just like any other house. Many steel houses have finished interiors with sheet rock walls and your choice of flooring. You can even hang crown molding and large, heavy artwork -- you just need to use a screw instead of a nail.

Durability

Steel buildings are becoming more popular because steel is an extremely durable material. Unlike wood, steel doesn't warp over time. It's also highly resistant to termites, dry rot, and fungus. Steel is also fire resistant. It doesn't ignite when heated and doesn't contribute energy to a fire. Additionally, steel homes or houses with steel frames can withstand gusts of wind up to 150 miles per hour and up to a level-nine earthquake.   

Environmentally Friendly

If you want to build your house using environmentally friendly materials, steel is a good choice. Many steel buildings are built using recycled material. The material can also be recycled again once the building reaches its lifespan, so you don't need to worry about material from your home filling up landfills.

Faster to Build

The material used to build a steel house is prefabricated. While this means that the overall house details can't be completely customized so that your house is unique, it allows your house to be built quickly. So, if you have a specific time frame for your project, opting for a steel building could be a wise choice. 

Ultimately, steel buildings look the same as wood-framed houses when they are finished. If you don't mind purchasing prefabricated materials, you should consider using steel to build your dream home(such as pre-engineered steel buildings by Norsteel Building Systems Ltd).


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