Are you ready to build your dream home?
Building your own home is the best way to create your perfect property, designed exactly to your specifications.
But what materials are you using for the build? Both wood and steel are commonly used as house beams, but steel has more benefits.
Read on to learn the top building tips and reasons why you should use steel beams for residential construction projects.
1. Substitute Steel Beams for Wood
If you’re building a house, did you know you can often replace wood with steel house beams? Steel is a great alternative to wood, as you need less steel than wood to hold the same amount of weight.
Steel can give you more freedom to be creative architecturally because it’s so strong. However, steel is also very heavy and will require cranes to move and lift, along with a lot of safety precautions. Make sure you have it in your budget to consider these additional costs.
2. Prevent Rust With Galvanization or Paint
Concerned about building with steel due to the risk of rust? Luckily, if it is treated properly, this won’t be a problem.
You can order your steel beams galvanized, which means they’ve been hot-dipped in zinc. This is an extremely effective and common way to prevent rust in both steel and iron. Although it does add to the cost of the product, it’s worth it in the long run.
If galvanization is out of your budget, you can paint your beams with rust-resistant paint. Apply several coats to make sure it does the job.
3. Choose a Sustainable Material
Wood is a renewable resource, but it takes a very long time to grow and often requires processing and transport over long distances.
Steel beams for residential construction are a more sustainable option. Steel can be recycled over and over, and new steel beams are often created solely from recycled materials.
It lasts a very long time and hardly ever ends up in landfills, making it a good choice for eco-friendly homes.
If building with sustainable materials is important to you, consider using other eco-friendly materials such as bamboo, cement made from recycled materials, or reclaimed wood.
4. Use Steel Beams for Residential Construction Columns
Are you creating columns from your home, either interior or exterior? They can create a dramatic and traditional look.
To achieve this architectural style, you’ll need to use steel beams. Due to the strength of steel, you can create expansive, open spaces safely.
The taller the beam, the longer space you can have between each column.
Steel also works best for vaulted ceilings or cantilevered structures.
5. Think About Earthquakes
If you live in an area prone to earthquakes or natural disasters, you’ll need to build with the strongest possible material — steel.
Many states, such as California, have very strict building codes that you’ll need to meet to ensure your residential property is structurally sound.
Steel is considered one of the best materials to build within an earthquake zone because it is not only strong but also has flexibility. Due to this, it can move slightly and flex when the ground is moving, meaning the structure won’t break and collapse.
Unlike more brittle materials, it’s unlikely to collapse, thereby protecting the occupants of the home.
6. Steel Beams Are Best For Masonry
Masonry, such as brick and stonework, can create a gorgeous look for your home, inside and outside.
If you plan on incorporating masonry into your home design, then you should always build with steel beams. Over time, wood can erode, break, or warp. If you’ve placed bricks on this surface, they could fall or become damaged as the wood underneath decays.
Steel, as a much stronger and longer-lasting material, is a much better choice for masonry.
Also, in some areas, using masonry on wooden beams is considered a violation of building codes.
7. Don’t Guess — Hire an Engineer
Even if you’re an expert builder, never start construction without the help of a structural engineer. They can advise exactly how much steel is needed to bear the load of the building.
As with any construction material, steel beams can be dangerous if not installed correctly considering the proper heights and weights.
8. Steel Is Fire and Termite Resistant
Why use steel beams? Another top reason is safety. They are resistant to both termites and fire, two common problems with wood.
If you’re unfortunate enough to end up with termites, they can quickly destroy a property if not treated. However, they can’t do any damage to steel.
Steel has a much higher fire resistance than wood. Wood tends to collapse as it burns, putting the residents of the home in danger. However, steel will remain structurally sound, giving the homeowners time to get out in case of an emergency.
9. Considering Your Budget
Steel can be very affordable, especially if you live in an area where wood is a premium. Considering the long lifespan of steel, the overall cost is small when you think about how long it will last.
You can often buy steel beams at salvage yards or secondhand which is a good way to save money if you can find what you’re looking for.
Also, save money by planning in advance. If you and your engineering team are on the ball, you can purchase exactly the right amount of steel and avoid any excess, which would go to waste.
This will also help you avoid delays if you haven’t ordered enough.
Start Building With Steel Beams Now
Using steel beams for residential construction gives you so many advantages when building your home in terms of safety, durability, and creativity. Use steel to design impressive and dramatic architecture, ensuring your dream home is just how you want it.
Start using steel beams with these tips and start enjoying all the advantages it can bring.
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