7 ADVANTAGES OF STRUCTURAL STEEL FRAME ...

06 May.,2024

 

7 ADVANTAGES OF STRUCTURAL STEEL FRAME ...

Hello This is cherry from Qingdao Xinmao ZT Steel Construction Co., Ltd. , My company is involved in STEEL products service for over 15 years and we are quite specialized in steel structure building, which is possibly a match for your market. We have factory in Dezhou City.The capacity is about 5000tons/month.

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Now I will share some information about steel structure building .

If you need more info about this , please don’t hesitate to contact me .

Structural steel isn't just for skyscrapers, large agriculture buildings and garages. There are multiple reasons why steel makes an attractive building option from start to finish, not the least of which are:

  • Sustainability
  • Affordability
  • Durability

From full-throttle metal building projects, to hybrid construction projects that leverage the attributes of both wood and steel, the modern builder has a wealth of options to choose from.

Steel is a versatile building material, which has led to its inclusion in nearly every stage of the construction process from framing and floor joists, to roofing materials. Here are some of the main benefits that make structural steel such a reliable choice.

STEEL IS LIGHTER THAN WOOD

This may seem surprising at first, because if you weigh a 2x4 of wood and a 2x4 of steel, the steel will weigh more as the result of its density. When it comes to framing, however, The design of a steel I-beam will almost always cause it to be lighter than the lightest, structurally sound wood beam design. A steel I-beam weighs less than glulams, LVL, and Parallam beams.

In addition to decreasing the labor required to build with steel, the lighter-weight advantage reduces materials shipping costs, and can also simplify the design of a building's foundation and other structural support systems, which can further reduce project budgets.

YOU CAN BUILD FASTER WITH STEEL

Time has always equaled money, but it seems like this high-tech era of ours has made it so that every clients wants their building to come in under budget and ahead of schedule. Fast-tracked projects can be a nightmare for architects and construction crews - namely because taking shortcuts can lead to unsafe building practices and a finished product that isn't up to snuff. That all changes with the addition of steel.

Steel parts are pre-engineered to a specific design inside the manufacturing plant and are shipped out, ready to be erected. This speeds up construction time significantly, making it possible to complete large-scale projects in a matter of weeks.

Because the fabrication process is highly quality-controlled, project managers can place their attention on other issues and the pre-cut, ready to assemble parts eliminate the need for measuring and cutting on site. This also takes the element of human error out of the equation, reducing the amount of time spent assembling something only to find out it needs to be re-measured, cut and installed again.

In addition to project time and budget issues, a faster construction timeline also reduces the amount of time your construction project impedes traffic, affects the flow into and out of surrounding businesses and any water or utility disruptions to nearby buildings.

SAVE MONEY WITH STEEL

Much of the cost savings you'll gain can be inferred from the labor and cost benefits of decreased construction time. However, building with steel also saves money via other first time and lifetime savings.

  • Steel can be recycled. Rather than paying landfill fees for non-recyclable construction waste, your company will be able to recycle steel and metal building components. Due to public interest in decreasing unnecessary constuction waste, most waste removal companies have subsidized programs allowing them to pick up your steel and metal building waste at no cost to you.
  • Because steel is so durable, and requires so little maintenance, it is a more economic choice for building owners. Maintenance fees, repairs and replacements are minimal - even over the course of 50 years or more - saving building owners tens of thousands of dollars over the course of the building's lifetime.
  • Innovation in steel production, combined with greater competition to meet rising steel demands, has brought steel prices lower than they've been in twenty years. According to the American Institute of Steel Construction, "In 1980, 10 man-hours were required to produce a single ton of steel. Today that same ton of structural steel requires substantially less than a single man-hour." Thus, these cost savings can be being passed on to the consumer.
  • Due to a steel structures' almost unrivaled ability to withstand high winds, heavy snow loads, fire and seismic activities, combined with their resistance to pests and decay, insurance companies often offer lower premiums on policies underwritten for metal buildings.
  • Faster construction times means fewer interest payments to the lender, who typically requires that interest-payments are made through the duration of the construction process.

When bundled together, these cost-saving benefits make steel one of the most affordable building products on the market.

STEEL IS INCREDIBLY VERSATILE

The versatility of steel is unrivaled. From the ability for structural steel to be molded into virtually any shape to its exterior ability to yield shingle-esque roofing patterns and wood-like siding, steel's versatility is part of what is making it such an attractive option for the residential construction market.

Architects and designers like steel's ability to let their artistic imaginations run wild, while still having the ability to design and construct a building that is both safe and resilient. This same durability is also what allows for the versatile design of large, clear span buildings such as airplane hangers, warehouses, agricultural buildings and indoor arenas. It also permits for the construction of skyscrapers, the tallest of which stands in Dubai at 2722.4 feet (829.8 m) tall. The commercial sector no longer corners the market on steel buildings, either.

This same design versatility and flexibility is now being touted in the residential sector as well. Consider a family who wants to knock out a wall for a remodel or renovation, only to find that a load-bearing wood pillar is an essential component. Now, they have the option of running a steel beam across the ceiling, opening the space up and negating the need for a structural beam below the ceiling line. Additionally, steel and metal are used for siding and roofing materials that far outlast their wood counterparts.

STEEL AND WOOD HYBRIDIZATION

This is an area where hybridization comes into play as well. While most homeowners like the idea of steel's versatility and durability, they are wary of moving away from wood completely. As a result, many construction companies offer hybrid steel/wood buildings, which take advantage of the strength, durability and support benefits offered by steel, paired with the insulatory properties of wood.

This pairing of materials is so beneficial that the US Department of Housing and Urban Development has published a Hybrid Wood and Steel Details Building Guide to encourage urban developers to use structural steel in addition to traditional building materials.

IT'S ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY

Steel is made from recycled materials and can be recycled at the end of its lifespan, one of the many reasons why it can earn builders points toward major green building certification programs. According to the Steel Recycling Institute:

  • 80 million tons of steel are recycled each year, making it the world's most recycled product.
  • Since 1990, the steel industry has reduced energy intensity per ton of steel produced by 28% and CO2 emissions by 35% per ton of steel shipped.
  • Reductions in energy use and CO2 emissions are rapidly reaching the limits defined by the laws of physics.

When combined with other design enhancements, steel buildings are incredibly energy efficient. The connections between high-quality, prefabricated steel parts is so exact that with the addition of adequate insulation, they are air-tight and comfortable, ensuring the building has a completely sealed envelope. Roof panels are primed and ready to host a solar array and cool metal roofing products dramatically decrease solar heat gain, further increasing energy savings.

This list of advantages of structural steel is dependent on two factors, however: the quality of the materials and the experience level of the builder. When these two pieces of the puzzle are in place, building owners benefit from an attractive and well-designed building that is both durable and sustainable.

 

Pros And Cons of Shipping Container Homes

Pros And Cons of Shipping Container Homes

Post updated on Sept 5, 2023

A shipping container is a large box made of steel that is traditionally used for storage and to transport goods long distances. Shipping containers are constructed from Corten steel (or weathering steel) and come in a few different sizes, but the most common sizes of a standard shipping container are 8’x20’ or 8’x40’. They are built to withstand inclement weather and abuse during transport by ocean, rail or land, and usually have a shipping lifespan of 25 years.

A shipping container home is exactly what it sounds like: a living space constructed from a standard shipping container or containers, sometimes involving the welding together of more than one container to make a structure wider or taller, that is modified to have most of the things you’d find in a traditional house.

It’s likely you’ve heard a lot about people who are choosing to abandon traditional, larger, wood frame homes for “tiny homes” that are more affordable to build and maintain, more environmentally conscious and, ultimately, offer a simpler, more minimalist way of living. Right along with the tiny home movement comes container homes, which continue to gain popularity for many of the same reasons.

While BigSteelBox offers shipping container modifications such as adding electrical options like heat, lights and cooling, as well as insulation, windows and doors, we do not build or sell container homes. However, we do sell new and used containers to those planning to outsource the work or complete the construction themselves.

If you’re considering a build like this, but still on the fence about it, read on for some pros and cons of shipping container homes.

Pros of Shipping Container Homes

1. Durability and Strength

As mentioned above, shipping containers are made of tough, corrugated Corten steel, which can withstand extreme weather conditions and constant movement. Thanks to its strong steel frame, walls, ceiling and floor, it won’t bend or shift under the weight of its contents. Fun Fact: Some bridges are made from Corten steel!

Shipping containers are made to protect belongings from the elements when being shipped by sea, rail and land. As such, building a home inside of a shipping container (or containers) would provide the same structural and security benefits.

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2. Fast Construction

Shipping container homes can be completed much more quickly than the average new build home construction with a wood or concrete frame. This is true for a few reasons, but mainly it’s because container houses are built on a smaller scale than most other homes. Plus, the container structure itself (the frame) has already been manufactured and only needs modifications to make it livable.

3. Mobility

Another pro to shipping container housing is that they’re portable! And because of their steel frame, you don’t have to worry about it bending or shifting in transport.

Depending on their size, container homes can be moved and transported by either a forklift for individual containers under 10,000lbs, or crane for larger container structures. Assuming the container house has electricity, water and septic, there will need to be proper disconnection and reconnection to those sources before and after moving it, but the structure itself is usually mobile and you could even move it to a different city if you wanted to.

4. Lower Cost to Build

According to Altus Group’s 2022 Canadian Cost Guide, building a traditional single-family home in Canada ranges from $100 to $275 per square foot, depending on where you live.

“Just like buying a house, Vancouver and Toronto are the most expensive cities in which to build a new home in Canada. In Vancouver, the process costs between $150 and $275 per square foot, while in the Greater Toronto Area it runs from $165 to $260 per square foot. Calgary and Edmonton, where prices range from $125 to $200 per square foot, are cheaper options.” Zoe Demarco, dailyhive.com

In addition to location, costs will also differ based on the types of material and finishes you choose to use, but on average, the cost to build a new 2,500 sq ft wood frame home in Canada, excluding the cost of the land/lot and other requirements (i.e. electrical and plumbing connections in a city or rural area), can range between $250,000 – $680,000.

Building a shipping container home is cheaper based on a few factors. Obviously, they’re built on a much smaller scale and you’ll need less materials to complete the interior, so the materials and labour involved will cost less.

The structure or frame of a container home is already there, so you’re actually modifying it versus building from scratch. As such, the main factor to consider when pricing out the “shell” of your container home is the number of containers you need to purchase for the home, and modification costs if more than one container will need to be cut and welded together.

How much does it cost to buy a new shipping container?

To give you an idea of what it costs to buy a new 20′ shipping container in Canada, below is some pricing for reference. It’s important to note that pricing varies from city to city, and will also be impacted by availability, size and condition*:

*Prices above are excluding taxes, subject to change without notice, and do not include delivery.

After the cost of the container(s), the remaining work will also depend on where you live and the finishings and features you want. Smaller, more basic container homes can range between $25,000 to $40,000, while larger homes built with multiple shipping containers and more customized features can range in price from $100,000 to $175,000.

5. Unique Designs

When constructing a container home, you aren’t limited by traditional building methods or designs. Shipping containers can be used in extremely unique and creative ways! A lot of these homes have a modern, industrial feel once they’re completed, which is popular within the “minimalism” design style.

While you’ll have to find ways to make the most out of a smaller space on the inside of your container home, this is actually another opportunity to get creative. Just be sure to do some research on the latest space saving designs and layouts.

To maximize the use of your space, choosing furniture that can be tucked away or used for more than one purpose is ideal when decorating a tiny or container home. For example, a wall bed (often called a Murphy bed) may be a good choice as there are styles available that allow it to double as shelving or a desk/workspace when it’s stowed away. There is also plenty of furniture and designs that have built-in storage, which that can be handy in a container home while also being stylish.
Wall bed photo courtesy of visualhunt.com.

Cons of Building a Shipping Container Home

On the other side of the coin, there are also challenges and downsides to building a shipping container home. Here are a few of the cons you’ll want to consider.

1. Limited Supply

The COVID-19 pandemic caused many challenges for manufacturing and shipping sectors all over the world. Many factories were shut down and stopped production for long periods of time, which affected the supply of all sorts of goods. In addition, many shipping lines were closed or slowed significantly. Both of these factors directly affected the ability to produce new shipping containers in China and move them to other countries, like Canada.

As such, shipping containers have been in low supply and high demand since late 2020, and while the industry is slowly recovering, it continues to affect their availability and pricing. Because most container companies in Canada focus on renting containers for moving and storage purposes or transporting goods, fewer have been available for purchase.

When building a container home it’s best to use “new” or “one trip” containers so that they will be in better condition and last longer. Due to the supply shortage and the limited ability to bring a new container from overseas, purchasing new shipping containers can be more expensive and take longer than usual.

2. Limited Space

Although a shipping container is a great option for temporary or long term storage, it is a very small space for a person (or people) to live in.

The average 8’x20’ container gives you 160 square feet of space, whereas an 8’x40’ container offers about 320 square feet of living space. There is the option to combine multiple containers to create a bigger space, but doing so will increase costs and time because there will be work needed to retro-fit them into one unit.

So, the main takeaway here is that you’ll need to think things through and be realistic about your ability to live in such a small space.

3. High Temperatures

A shipping container can get extremely warm during the summer months if they aren’t well insulated and equipped with proper venting and cooling systems. Because containers are made from steel, without insulation they will absorb heat and warm the interior quite quickly.

This means you will need to add some type of insulation to your container, as well as a wall finish, vents and ideally a built-in air conditioner. If done properly, this can be done efficiently and look great in the end, but will take a bit of space away from your already limited square footage.

4. Possible Health Hazards

There is the possibility of health hazards associated with living in a shipping container home, but this con is more likely to be an issue when older, second hand containers are used. This is because there’s the possibility that chemicals were used to treat the wooden flooring, or the paint used to protect it from seawater during transport may release toxins.

So, while using new containers may cost more but be safer, some people want to use second hand containers to leave a smaller environment footprint.

“If you are using the new containers to build your home, then you need not worry about these (health) concerns as you can always dictate to your manufacturer, not to treat the floors or to coat the containers with harmful chemicals. However, using new shipping containers to build your home is sure to increase the cost and it also defeats the environment-friendly credits that you would have gained by using recycled shipping containers.” Susan Tora, Customer Success Manager at InnoDez

Using spray foam insulation, non-breathable underlay and flooring, adding vents and exhaust fans to help with airflow will help reduce the health risks, however, it’s still important to research this topic and discuss it with your contractor.

5. Zoning and Permits

Because shipping container homes are a fairly new trend, most cities don’t have specific regulations in place for them. This may result in the zoning and permit process taking longer than usual, or even being denied.

In addition, each province will have its own building codes and requirements that must be met for it to be approved. This can include items like emergency access, alarms, energy efficiency and plumbing. We recommend contacting your local city planning office for more information about building codes, zoning restrictions, and permitting requirements for container homes, or find a contractor with experience in this area.

6. Construction Challenges

The fact of the matter is that shipping containers are not designed or built as living quarters so there are bound to be construction challenges. Unlike wood frame structures where a home is built from the ground up and leaving spaces for doors, windows, plumbing, etc., are part of the process, modifying a shipping container requires openings to be cut from steel walls, and you’ll likely need to get creative when it comes to putting in a bathroom. And, every “extra” you add will take away more precious space that is already scarce.

Also keep in mind that steel can rust if it’s exposed to certain elements and not properly protected. According to containerhomehub.com, rust occurs on shipping containers when they are exposed to moisture and oxygen, which leads to oxidation (the breakdown of iron-based metals). Rust can weaken the structure of a shipping container home and lead to additional problems, such as leaks and water damage.

When left unchecked, rust can create serious problems for your container home. It can weaken the containers, which increases the risk of structural damage during a storm. Rust may also lead to gaps that allow moisture to reach other areas, causing water damage and leaks inside your home.” Gail Rose, containerhomehub.com

To prevent rust, shipping containers must be coated with a protective layer of paint or an acrylic finish to prevent moisture from reaching the steel underneath. You’ll also want to ensure you especially protect the roof from pooling water, install an effective gutter system, and repair any areas showing signs of rust as soon as possible.

Where to Find Shipping Containers to Convert into Homes

Depending on where you live, there are likely a few companies that sell new and used shipping containers, including BigSteelBox. There are even some that will build your home for you and deliver it to your location.

While BigSteelBox does not build container homes, we can complete a variety of modifications to your purchased container before we deliver it to you. Check out our Modifications section to learn more about those options.

To give you an idea of the container modification process, this is how we build a shipping container office. Obviously a container house would have many more requirements, such as plumbing, storage, and a place to sleep, so it’s important to do your research, enlist the help of professionals when needed, and be prepared before you start to build your dream container home.

Contact us to discuss your requirements of steel structure frame container house. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.