Architects must consider a wide range of variables when choosing the resources to bring their vision to life. And, before steel, the world of architecture was limited to wood, brick, stone, and concrete. Since the late 1800s, however, steel has again and again been an important choice when constructing durable, functional, and aesthetically-pleasing buildings. Let’s examine a few of factors that play a part in selecting steel for your construction project.
A Foundation for the Imagination
Although it isn’t a new material, steel can be used in countless innovative ways. It allows the creative mind to envision something that may have never been done before: like building structures that reach the sky. Consider where the world would be without steel to support skyscrapers – the Chrysler Building, the Empire State Building, and the Sear (Willis) Tower.
The earliest skyscrapers, including the Flatiron Building, the oldest standing steel-framed skyscraper in Atlanta, were built in 19th-century America. Steel allowed these new marvels to be constructed with a steel frame so they could be built taller than typical load-bearing walls of reinforced concrete. Today, these buildings are dwarfed by steel structure commercial building projects around the globe, but each was built on the idea that steel could do more.
Sustainability and Eco-friendliness
The kind of material used to construct a building can vastly impact both its environmental and economic sustainability. Fortunately, steel is one of the most environmentally-friendly materials an architect can choose since it can be recycled an unlimited number of times without changing its natural state.
Popular and Easy to Use
Steel construction became popular in the early 20th century and became widespread around WWII, not long before Steel, LLC was founded in 1947. All over the world, many experts still prefer to use structural steel over any other building material for construction. Because steel fabrication can be completed off-site, assembly and steel building erection can be completed on-site. This can help save time and increase the efficiency and productivity of the project.
Some of the most beautiful buildings in the world were constructed with steel bringing strong support to the interior. Steel construction can help architects bring their vision to life to design sleek, modern structures or simple, unpretentious spaces.
Safety
Structural steel is one of the safest construction materials. As architects consider different building materials, steel is often a top choice for offices and high-rise residential buildings. As a non-combustible material, steel can retain its strength at incredibly high temperatures and inhibits the spread of fire. Steel also offers weather and storm-resistant construction options.
Versatility & Strength
Steel is the obvious choice for building projects because of its adaptability and durability. It’s also widely recognized as one the most reliable materials an architect can choose when designing a commercial building. Its high strength-to-weight ratio means that the steel sections of a building can be lightweight when compared to other materials.
Steel, LLC is a steel supplier, fabricator, and erector based in Atlanta, Georgia. We pride ourselves on having the structural steel fabrication resources and know-how of a large national steel manufacturer while maintaining the responsiveness that you’d expect from a smaller company. If you’re interested in learning more about how steel can benefit your next project, please contact one of our experts today.