Facts To Know When Choosing Between Concrete Homes And Steel Frame Homes

On the face of it, concrete would seem to be the most obvious option for a home. It is strong, durable, and can be moulded into a variety of different shapes. It is certainly preferable to a wood home as it will last longer and offers better protection against the elements.

However, when compared to metal the case is not so clear cut.

Concrete Has An Insulation Advantage

Metal warms and cools with the air, potentially increasing the heat inside on a hot day and cooling it on a cold day. That isn’t what you want and makes it essential to have good insulation.

In contrast, concrete is a food insulation material and will help to maintain a steady temperature inside your home, regardless of what the weather outside is doing.

Metal Wins On Strength

Metal is very strong. If you check out the statistics on construction beams you’ll find they can carry more load than concrete. This allows you to make a property with fewer materials than a concrete house but a stronger one.

The strength of metal beams also makes it very easy to create large open spaces in your home. In short, the design options with steel framed homes are infinite, there is almost nothing that you can’t do.

Metal Is More Durable

It may seem like concrete will last forever. However, this is not the case. Before the concrete is poured metal rods are positioned which enhances the strength of the concrete. In principle this is excellent. However, the truth is that even the smallest amount of damage can allow moisture to reach the metal rods. In fact, often there is enough moisture in the concrete to start corroding the metal.

It’s a condition known as concrete cancer and usually results in the collapse of the building. Naturally, it will be destroyed before it is likely to collapse.

Steel is coated to protect it, making it impervious to rust and other damage. In short, a steel framed house can last a lot longer than a concrete one.

Environmental Concerns

In general, people are becoming more conscious of the effects their actions have on the environment. Concrete is not an environmentally friendly solution. When the ingredients are mixed a large amount of carbon dioxide is produced and this can be detrimental to the environment.

In addition, it damages the topsoil and changes the water course, potentially increasing erosion and even flooding.

In contrast, steel is made by recycling old metal items. The only cost to the environment is creating the heat necessary to melt the old steel. It is significantly less harmful to the environment than concrete.

Maintenance Is Easier With Steel Frame

In fact, maintenance is almost non-existent with steel framed buildings. All you need to do is wash the building occasionally and visually inspect to ensure there is no damage. Damaged steel is more likely to corrode. To prevent this any damage needs to be coated to protect it.