Articles 

Fastening Options For Steel Frame Construction

2011-02-23

The popularity of commercial and residential buildings supported by steel framing has been growing. Embracing environmental responsibility in architecture, plus improved performance in weather extremes, including resisting the downsides of earthquakes and hurricanes, amplifies steel as an attractive alternative to wood framing. The steel versus wood argument is powerful: · No other building material offers the strength-to-weight ratio that’s available. · Stud density can be reduced, which produces a savings in material and labor. · Unlike wood, plated steel frames don’t burn, rot, shrink, warp, swell, crack, and also resist corrosion; this may result in lower insurance premiums. · Insects and rodents cannot chew through or eat steel. · More favorable performance is realized in structures combining steel framing and screws that resist uplifting loads better than nails. · High recycle rates makes steel framing environmentally friendly and steel studs are compatible with all common types of siding. · Steel stud costs don’t tend to exhibit the “roller-coaster” fluctuations common to products dependent upon lumber prices; so down time from material availability and increased cost issues saves time and money. · Remodeling is easier since non-load bearing walls can be removed, tailored, and re-used.