Steel is a widely used construction material with a variety of applications. Having gained popularity in the 20th century, steel has been a major component of commercial building construction, bringing to life some of the world’s strongest and tallest buildings.
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Today, modern steel is made with combinations of alloy. Despite the emergence of new building materials, steel remains the most used material to fulfill many purposes.
The following are the reasons steel is still the best material for building and construction:
Strength. Having the highest strength-to-weight ratio of any construction material, steel is still preferred by builders in the commercial industry and developers of multifamily construction.
Durability and flexibility. Steel does not easily warp, buckle, twist or bend, which makes it easy to modify and design for specifications. Steel is also easy to install. Its strength and ductility, combined with solid engineering and design, make it a safe choice in seismic zones.
Eco-friendly. A "green" product, steel is structurally sound and manufactured to under strict specifications and tolerances. It is also energy efficient and excess material is 100 percentrecyclable. Steel is one of the world's most recycled materials, with a recycling rate of over 60 percent globally.
Cost. Buildings made of steel have been widely accepted due to cost efficiency. Compared to other materials, steel is not prone to price fluctuations.
With improved in its production, malleability for end products, and design capabilities, steel, undoubtedly, remains the go-to material for building and construction.
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Chris Keehner is the president of DS Pipe & Steel Supply LLC, a leading distributor of structural steel in Maryland. Follow this Google+ page for news and updates about steel production and application.
