The construction industry is ever evolving, as people search for the best and most cost effective ways of constructing buildings. Steel has always been favoured in construction projects because of its versatility, strength and extreme durability. You can find steel being used in all areas of construction, but it comes into its own when used to create the structural components of buildings.
Today we are looking at one example: the steel frame office building. We hope to provide an insight into steel frame structures and whether they make a good foundation for an office building.
Steel framing is actually a term, and describes a technique employed by those in the construction industry. Steel framing involves combining steel columns and beams to create a skeleton frame that supports floors, walls, internal fixtures and furnishings as well as occupants. We usually associate the use of steel with the creation of large simple buildings such as warehouses, garages and agricultural buildings. More and more however, steel is being used in other types of development. These include schools, public buildings and, as this article suggests, offices.
As we outlined in the introduction, steel has a number of benefits which makes it an attractive material to construction developers. It is sustainable and very durable, so developers from all sectors are now looking to exploit it.
Not only is steel extremely strong, but it is more dense than timber or concrete alternatives. The superior strength of steel makes it durable, and able to withstand a number of conditions. For example, a pest infestation is unlikely to affect a steel structure like it would a timber structure. It is also highly resistant to fire. All of this combined makes steel a safe construction material that can be relied on.
One of the benefits of constructing a steel frame structure building is that parts of the building can be exposed, which in turn provides aesthetic value. Exposed steel has become increasingly popular in modern building designs. When coupled with an intumescent paint, exposed steel becomes a tough and striking visual feature within a building.
Steel is an attractive material to construction developers because of its sustainability. As a society, we are all moving in a direction in which we will be required to make sustainable choices. This will influence anything from construction material choices, to how we deal with and dispose of our waste. Steel follows this shift as it is one hundred percent recyclable, and, interestingly, does not see a dip in strength performance when it is recycled. It can be melted down and repurposed: retaining its quality.
As we have discussed, steel is durable and strong. As such, choosing to use steel to create the structure of your building will mean, in the long run, you will need to spend less on repairs and maintenance. Not only this, but insurance companies may lower their premiums for buildings constructed using steel. This is because of its ability to withstand a variety of conditions. By creating a steel frame structure building, you are likely to make savings in a number of ways.
Steel has a lot of longevity, so is a great material to use when constructing buildings. It is not susceptible to mould, it does not wrap or rot, it is not porous and it is resistant to damage from insects or pests. The same cannot be said for timber, for example. Although some sealing is needed to offer maximum protection against water and fire, it is a material that can be heavily relied on.
At the start of this article, we set out to determine whether a steel frame office building is a good idea. By this, we mean whether constructing an office building with a steel frame would offer a return on investment. We believe that steel is a great construction material, and provides a solid and reliable structure for buildings. Let us look at why, specifically, steel would be useful in the construction of an office building.
A lot of modern companies are aiming to be more sustainable, and are opting to make choices that are eco-friendly. As we know, steel is one hundred percent recyclable and retains its quality from project to project. A steel frame office building, therefore, may be in keeping with a modern company’s values.
Furthermore, some occupants of offices rely heavily on their brand image. This will, of course, differ from company to company: with some industries relying less on corporate image. Offices with areas of exposed steel may help boost the brand image of the occupant, and will be attractive to customers and prospective clients.
Aside from the specifics, steel is a material that is durable, able to withstand heavy loads (compared to other alternatives), is vulnerable to very little and has great longevity. Although a suitable choice of material for the construction of office buildings, it can be used in many areas of development with pleasing results.
The Kit Buildings family have years of collective experience in constructing steel buildings, which have been used for countless purposes. If you have a project that requires steel, or are interested in any of our industrial buildings, request a quote by clicking here!