What is so good about steel frame buildings & sheds?

Sustainable

Sustainability. Steel is the only material used in construction today that can be 100% recycled and re-used. Any steel you purchase today contains at least some recycled steel.

• According to WorldSteel, 50% of the world’s steel is used in construction. That is more than is used in automobile production, mechanical machinery, and other metal products combined.
• We are proud to partner with New Zealand Steel and Metalcraft Hamilton to produce quality sheds with local products made by local people.
• When you buy $100 worth of steel made in NZ, $80 stays in NZ. When you buy imported steel, only around $5 stays in NZ.
• Average recovery rate for steel in buildings is 85%
• Steel does not suffer any product degradation through infinite recycling
• Steel can be engineered to precise specifications resulting in minimal on-site wastage.
• Steel is non-toxic, minimising health and safety risks.
• Steel is not vulnerable to rot, leaky buildings or woodworm. The lack of rot and mould creates a healthier environment for anyone with respiratory conditions like asthma.

So just how stable are steel frame buildings?

Earthquake-resistant

Using steel to create the frame of the building will result in a building that is exceptionally stable. Steel is considered a superior construction material and the proper use of steel will produce a building frame that exceeds all building codes.

Christchurch’s earthquake experiences have ushered in a new style of architecture that has influenced construction in Wellington and raised awareness in Auckland.

Steel construction is the biggest and most obvious feature in the city’s buildings – for the cost as well as safety perceptions.

Chris Hutching Jan 2018

In order to build more earthquake-resistant buildings, steel is still the best solution available.

Because the frame will stay in place through virtually any circumstance, the doors and windows installed in the building should close properly for the life of the building. Steel is also lighter than other types of framing materials making it easier to use.

Fire-resistant

The benefits of steel construction in relation to fire safety are:

• Steel is non-combustible and does not add to the fire load of the building.
• Fire will not spread through ceiling spaces or internal voids as there is not fuel to burn there.
• Fire resistance periods of up to 120 minutes are readily achievable in steel framing.
• The amount of combustible material in a steel framed building is much lower than in other forms of construction.
• The fire risk during construction is much lower for steel framing than for other forms of construction.

Out of all the possible building materials, steel has the highest strength to weight ratio, resulting in a building frame that will not warp or crack. It is also resistant to weather related expansion and contraction, which helps ensure that the materials used to create the rest of the building will not crack or buckle.

But doesn’t it cost more?

It may or may not, depending on a number of factors. In smaller buildings timber may have a price advantage. But as the shed size increases, especially the span, steel becomes more cost effective and can work out cheaper. There does become a point where timber is uneconomic to use.

The numerous advantages of using steel for the building frame greatly outweigh any additional cost. Steel frame buildings require less maintenance in the long run and the structure ages more slowly than structures made of other building materials. Because the material is inorganic, it will not split, crack, or warp.