5 Reasons Steel Should Be Your First Choice

When you’re in need of a material which is synonymous with strength and versatility, steel is the first choice. When it comes to the world of construction, steel is often at the heart of commercial and agricultural buildings – and for good reason.

With new grants for the construction of cattle housing and a clear focus on long-term sustainability, high-quality steel is in even bigger demand. With a wide range of commercial, domestic, industrial and agricultural uses, we thought we would share 5 of our favourite reasons to choose steel over other structural building materials.

Steel is a sustainable choice.

Due to the fact that steel is 100% recyclable, it is a much more sustainable choice for construction than some of the alternatives. Steel can be melted down time and time again without the need to compromise on strength or integrity.

With the world moving towards more eco-friendly and sustainable practices, choosing steel as a construction material is a no-brainer. 85% of all steel used in the construction industry is recycled.

This means that for every tonne of recycled steel that is used, there is a saving of 2,500 pounds of iron ore, 1,400 pounds of coal and 120 pounds of limestone. Just think how much iron ore, coal and limestone could have been saved in the construction of the Eiffel Tower’s 7,300-tonne frame if it were all recycled steel.

Steel is a strong choice.

Steel is the second strongest metal known to man and the most suitable for all manner of construction. No matter how many cycles of recycling steel goes through, its strength remains unchanged. Although steel is already 1,000 times stronger than iron, through a process called galvanising, it can become even stronger.

Galvanising is a process in which steel is coated with zinc to prevent rusting, allowing the steel to be used in all manner of different applications such as structural steel buildings, railway lines and many more. Even after being galvanised, steel can still be recycled and reused.

Steel is a timeless choice.

Steel will last a lifetime, especially once it has been galvanised. This is why it is important to ensure that you’re using high-quality steel from the beginning of your project as it will allow you to future-proof any structure.

As well as lasting a lifetime, steel is considered an easy-to-work-with material which means you can ensure your building will be up much faster than if you chose an alternative. Thanks to its durability, you won’t be facing any problems with maintenance or needing repairs down the line either.

Steel is a safe choice.

Any frame made from steel will have a naturally high resistance to fire, thus greatly reducing the risk in a building as well as ensuring a fire won’t be able to spread if one does occur. There are even additional flame retardant coatings which can be applied to further increase the fire resistance of steel.

Unlike wooden structures, steel cannot be degraded through the impact of burrowing insects. While still allowing you the flexibility to shape and design a structure to ensure it can easily be adapted for future uses unlike making a concrete structure.

Steel is a flexible choice.

With steel studs available in a huge variety of sizes and the option to have them fabricated to order, steel is incredibly versatile. No matter what the specific load of a building, the size or the purpose, there will always be options available to create a safe and reliable structure.

There are few other materials that offer the same level of flexibility and none which would offer the same level of strength and sustainability. With the option to order specific steel products from a job site on your phone using Buy-A-Beam, there is even flexibility when ordering.

Need some support?

We have been designing and constructing frames for agricultural and industrial buildings for over 30 years, giving us the knowledge to be able to offer your advice.

Our full turnkey solutions will help you save time and money as well as limiting your stress and hassle. Get in touch with us to find out more about the products and services we offer, or check out our online shop on Buy-A-Beam.