Builders, contractors and design professionals are concerned with overall system construction costs from the design phase through to the operational phase, and not simply the raw material costs of structural and nonstructural systems.
Cold-formed steel brings a lot of ingenuity to the construction industry that many people simply take for granted. While it’s certainly not a new material, there are new things learned daily about the capabilities of cold-formed steel.
If you are not careful, construction can quickly become a budget-nightmare with sky-high prices for equipment, labor, and materials. In fact, materials alone can quickly kill your budget and have you second guessing whether or not it’s even possible to complete the project.
Cold-formed steel (CFS) is one of the most reliable, durable, and sustainable building materials around, making it a great option for almost any low- or mid-rise construction project, no matter where it’s located. That said, there are some areas in the United States and beyond where framing with CFS isn’t just a good idea — it’s highly advisable.
Quality assurance, and the sourcing of cost-effective, superior materials, is a primary concern in any modern building project. One approach that can make a substantial difference in project quality and efficiency is to use roof trusses made with cold formed steel (CFS).
Steel metal siding isn’t new; it’s been around for almost 100 years. But thanks to a host of innovative improvements, there’s been a resurgence of interest in this surprisingly beautiful, durable, and environmentally friendly alternative to fiber cement, vinyl, and wood.
The demand for multi-family housing is growing. A study commissioned by the National Multi-Family Housing Council and National Apartment Association found that population growth and a preference for multi-family rental units will require 4.6 million new apartments by 2030. Fewer renters are interested in swapping out their apartments for homeownership, and more seniors are choosing to rent.
Effective project management is the result of thorough planning, which leads to cost-efficient project delivery. To achieve this, many companies will focus on additional project controls. However, this overlooks one of the most crucial ways to save money – by implementing design-led construction.
As the price of wood rises, more and more builders are considering cold formed steel (CFS) as an alternative to lumber.
Cold-formed steel (CFS) framing is a versatile building material because it can be connected to a variety of other materials. But how do you make those unions work? How do you connect CFS to hot-rolled steel, aluminum, concrete, masonry, or wood?
Panelization — the ability to assemble wall, floor, and roof sections off-site in a controlled environment — is frequently used in cold-formed steel framing projects and provides many advantages, from minimizing costly weather delays to ensuring greater quality control.
Quality assurance, and the sourcing of cost-effective, superior materials, is a primary concern in any modern building project. One approach that can make a substantial difference in project quality and efficiency is to use roof trusses made with cold formed steel (CFS).
Because Cold-formed steel (CFS) framing is light weight, extremely strong, noncombustible, and relatively easy to install, it has dominated the market for interior, non-loadbearing partition walls in commercial construction. Now, with advanced technological developments like panelized systems, the building community is using CFS for structural applications in mid-rise and multi-housing buildings.
Reducing construction waste by building with cold-formed steel framing can help building owners reign in project costs and protect the environment.
Recently, a major fire raced through the AvalonBay at Edgewater apartment community in New Jersey, destroying several hundred units and displacing the residents of the luxury development in the middle of winter.
Prefabrication has long been touted as the answer to smarter, faster, and safer construction. The prefabrication revolution is quietly changing the way engineering and construction works. Many companies are starting to see how this change in construction is enhancing their business and granting a competitive edge, particularly when paired with the right materials.
Although some builders may think of cold-formed steel (CFS) as an ideal material for interior framing, that’s not the extent of its utility. CFS delivers many advantages in the construction of wall panels, floor joists, roof trusses, and structural walls as well.
How is steel energy efficient? Is Cold Formed Steel a robust construction material? Does it limit home design capabilities? Will a steel framed home look different to other homes? What are the advantages of CFS for residential construction projects?
Timber has long been the framing material of choice for buildings. A sturdy and familiar material, it has been used on structures all over the world for hundreds of years
How does cold-formed steel (CFS) compare to cast-in-place concrete when framing a building? Neither material has the monopoly on benefits. The “best” material depends on the project.
