When it comes to constructing your building, you want to be sure you use the absolute best materials. After all, a building is a significant investment, which means that you need to ensure it will last a long time and serve your needs both now and in the future. While there are many different building materials to choose from, structural steel is one of the most versatile and trusted materials available. To explain this concept in more detail, here are a few ways that structural steel makes buildings more reliable.
Weather Resistance
Unlike other building materials, such as concrete, structural steel isn’t affected by changing weather. Whether it’s hot, cold, raining, or snowing outside, the steel in your building will remain strong. Since it is able to adapt to changing weather conditions, you also won’t have to worry about steel cracking over time as you do with concrete and other masonry materials.
Strong But Light
Another way that steel helps improve the reliability of a building is that it serves as a strong but light material that allows you to achieve your design goals. Unlike heavier materials that can place constraints on a project due to challenges in working with those materials, structural steel can conform to just about any project, meaning you can achieve maximum architectural interest while maintaining high safety standards. This also tends to make construction much faster since fewer machines from a steel service center will be required.
Tough Under Fire
If a fire occurs in your building, it’s important that the materials in the building can withstand the heat from the flames long enough to allow everyone to escape. Fortunately, structural steel can serve just such a purpose. Even if the materials around it are burning, the steel holding your building together can be depended upon to resist the fire so that crucial escape routes are preserved.
Flexible
Another one of steel’s many talents is that it is surprisingly flexible, especially considering its strength. This property comes in handy when you’re dealing with high-wind conditions due to a storm or tornado. Rather than collapsing from the force of the wind, steel buildings can bend a significant amount, reducing the resistance of the building, allowing it to stand rather than be destroyed.
Even on its own, structural steel can perform many functions in your building. Steel doesn’t always have to “steal” the show, though. Thanks to its flexibility and adaptability, you can use steel in a variety of ways in conjunction with other construction materials. When used correctly, this creates a solid construction that will pass the test of time. You can talk to a local steel service center to learn more and find the right equipment for your job.
Anica is a professional content and copywriter who graduated from the University of San Francisco. She loves dogs, the ocean, and anything outdoor-related. You can connect with Anica on Twitter @AnicaOaks.
