Steel is one of the most common materials used in constructing structures. While timber and concrete has also been widely used for constructing structures, steel is often considered more durable, cost-effective, and aesthetically appealing.
Steel is used in the foundation of structures by a process called steel framing. In this method, steel columns and beams are used as the foundational structure to support floors and roofs. Steel is also used for internal fixtures and finishing.
In this article, we will discuss the 9 top reasons to use steel in your home’s foundation.

1. Durable

When it comes to construction, steel is one of the most durable materials. The Mohs hardness test that rates materials on a 10-point scale, with one being the softest, has given steel a rating of six. Steel beams used for your home’s foundation will ensure that the foundation of your home is strong and can withstand harsh weather conditions and natural disasters like earth quakes. In most cases, a home’s foundation made of steel beams should last up to at least 30 years.
Steel is also known to withstand extreme temperatures, thus, making your home’s foundation strong and sturdy. Since steel is fire-resistant, using steel beams in your home’s foundation can reduce the risk of any unforeseen fires. Steel is a preferred choice for constructing multi-storied buildings since it is much lighter and stronger than concrete buildings. This makes steel the ideal material for steel building construction in earthquake prone areas.
The foundation of any building is extremely important as you do not want to end up with a weak foundation. A steel foundation is one of the most economical and effective ways build a strong home. The foundation can be constructed on your own, but often times, contractors will be needed to finish the job and do all the work for you.

2. Easy To Use

A steel structure is easy to install and can be assembled quickly any time of the year. Since the components of a steel structure are manufactured off-site, it’s assembly on-site can be quick without being labor intensive. Unlike concrete construction, that’s labor intensive and is often a time-consuming process.
A steel frame can be constructed within a few days and reduces the construction time considerably. Since steel is considerably lighter when compared to other construction materials like concrete, it allows for a simple and effective foundation.
Since steel foundation has lesser points of contact with the earth, it makes evacuation easy in times of need. Being an efficient and resourceful construction material, using steel beams for your home’s foundation can lead to faster project completion, reduced on-site labor, and reduced site management. This eventually leads to a lower cost of construction.
For efficient assembly of steel beams, you need to ensure that the steel beams are good quality. To ensure that you’re buying good quality steel beams for your home’s foundation, check its manufacturing quality.
All the manufacturing processes need to be kept in the utmost precision and efficiency to ensure maximum efficiency. You should ensure that the production facilities are equipped with all the required equipment. They should be equipped with all the necessary tools and equipment for the manufacturing process. You should also consider the quality of the materials used to assemble the product before finalizing its assembly.

3. Cost-Effective

As steel beams are constructed off site, the on-site labor cost is reduced considerably. Since there are fewer workers on site, it often reduces the risk of onsite injuries and mishaps that are common in construction sites and often lead to additional expenses.
As steel beams are easy to assemble, the construction time is less. This often translates to fewer financial costs. Since steel is a durable material, it doesn’t require much maintenance and remains sturdy for years to come. Thus, helping you save up on annual maintenance costs that are a necessity for homes constructed with concrete or timber.

4. Eco-Friendly

Steel beams top the list when it comes to eco-friendly construction materials. This is because steel is often created using recycled material. When steel buildings are demolished, the waste steel is circulated and reused into the closed-loop recycling system of the steel industry. Here the waste steel is melted down and repurposed for further use. Since steel is recycled without creating any waste, it can be a completely recycled material. Steel can also be endlessly recycled without losing any of its inherent properties of strength and durability, making it an ideal resource for construction, especially if you want to reduce your carbon footprint.
Studies suggest that about 45% of the steel that was manufactured in the earlier decades, is being repurposed for reuse today. Since steel structures are lighter and require less extensive building foundation, the environmental impact of the building is considerably reduced. Steel is also energy efficient as the steel roof radiates heat quickly, cooling your home during the hot summers and in colder climates, double-paneled steel walls can be well insulated to keep your home warm.

5. Maximum Space Utilization

Steel beams often translate to thinner, smaller structural elements to maximize space. Since steel beam depths are half the size of timber or concrete beams, they offer more usable space than other materials. Because of steel’s strength and spanning capacity, the steel walls can be thinner. Steel beams are especially useful for projects that have spatial challenges and creating free-usable space is a priority. Unlike bulky concrete walls that take up a lot of space, thinner steel walls are ideal for maximum space utilization.

6. Design Freedom

Since steel is a stong construction material, the bays within the steel frame can be placed wide apart, allowing for wider free space. This allows for more design freedom and flexible floor designs that can utilize the given space.
Steel also allows for more design freedom in terms of color, texture, and shape. This gives architects more room for exploration of new ideas and design innovation. It’s capacity to bend is ideal for creating curves or free-form structural designs such as arches and domes.
Steel beams allow for endless design opportunities when it comes to construction. Since they are factory-finished with exact specifications, they’re also easier to install and the final result is often predictable. This reduces the risk of on-site variability.

7. Disaster Resistant

Steel is not only an ideal construction material in extreme weather conditions, but is also useful for areas that are prone to natural disasters like earth quakes. Being a fire-resistant material, using steel in your home’s foundation can also reduce the risk of on-site fire mishaps.
With the advancement in technology and design, the factory-finished steel beams are created with accurate specifications that take into account fire protection requirements. This results in the reduction of the amount of fire protection required by the building.
Since steel is a ductile and flexible material, it has been the material of choice for construction in earthquake prone areas. As steel flexes under extreme load rather than crumbling or crushing, its capacity to resist lateral loads caused by earthquakes and harsh cyclones is considerably higher.

8. Longevity

When properly maintained, steel can last you for years to come. Infact, when compared to other construction materials like timber or concrete, steel doesn’t crack or split, even after years of construction.
While timber is prone to insect attack and concrete can be infested by mold and mildew due to its porous nature, these issues don’t affect the steel foundation since its neither porous nor prone to insect infestation.
Steel can be protected by applying fire-resistant and water-resistant coatings. The water-resistant coating will ensure that the steel doesn’t corrode or rust. While the fire-resistant coating will make sure that the steel structure doesn’t lose its strength in case of a fire.

9. Safety

Due to the strength of steel beams, the foundations made of them perform well in disasters like hurricanes, earth quakes, and snow loads. Since steel is a non-combustible material, it reduces the risk of fire. Steel beams also resistant to insect or mold infestation, thus providing safety to your home inside out.
Conclusion
Steel beams are the best materials that are commonly used for constructing new buildings, bridges, and other structures. They are very easy to use and are available in a variety of sizes. The most important thing that you must keep in mind while looking for steel beams for construction purposes is to make sure that the steel suppliers you choose are certified by the government.
While choosing a steel beam supplier for your home’s foundation, make sure that you hire a company that is reputable and has years of experience. In addition, you may check the reviews of the company before you sign an agreement with them.
You may also visit some websites of these steel suppliers and make comparisons among the different types of beams. Finally, choose a supplier who offers good quality steel beams and can help you transform your home into an aesthetic yet functional modern home.