Steel framing vs Concrete
Right choice of building materials can significantly impact project success - affecting timelines, budgets, sustainability, and even property marketability. While concrete has been a staple in construction for decades, steel framing offers several advantages that make it a superior option for many modern projects. Here's why steel framing also known as cold-formed steel framing (CFS), often outperforms concrete construction.
Speed of construction
prefabrication:
CFS components are precision-manufactured offsite, reducing the need for labor-intensive onsite work
immediate assembly:
unlike concrete, which requires time to cure, CFS is ready for assembly upon delivery
Fire performance
LGS can achieve the same fire thermal performance using external/internal insulation boards designed to achieve different fire rating requirements
Seismic activity
seismic strength:
with the advantage of lighter weight, and steel’s flexibility, the seismic performance will outperform concrete frames
durability:
this resilience not only enhances a building’s longevity and reduces liability, but also boosts its market value by ensuring long-term performance and safety
Cost efficiency
reduced foundation requirements:
CFS's lightweight places less stress on foundations, leading to lower excavation and foundation costs
lower transportation and labor costs:
LGS is significantly lighter than concrete, reducing the need for heavy foundations and enabling easier transport and handling. Prefabrication also simplifies assembly, requiring fewer skilled workers onsite.
minimal maintenance:
Steel is durable and resistant to cracking or deterioration, reducing long-term maintenance expenses compared to concrete
Design flexibility
customization:
steel’s high strength-to-weight ratio allows for long spans and open layouts that are difficult to achieve with concrete
ease of modification:
future expansions or reconfigurations are straightforward with steel framing, unlike the demolition often required with concrete
Consistency and precision
standardization:
every component meets strict specifications, reducing the risk of onsite errors
predictable performance:
developers can count on LGS framing to deliver consistent results, simplifying project planning
Energy efficiency
superior insulation:
with the advantage of thinner thickness and the use of thermal breaks in LGS, it can be 5-6 times more effective than concrete from a heat insulation perspective
reduced energy consumption:
building on its superior insulation properties, LGS significantly lowers energy consumption
thermal bridging mitigation:
the design precision of LGS allows for efficient integration of advanced insulation materials and techniques such as staggered-studs assemblies, minimizing thermal bridging - a common issue with concrete construction
Sustainability and market appeal
recyclability:
steel is 100% recyclable
waste reduction:
prefabrication significantly reduces construction waste compared to concrete