Are Steel Fabricated Homes Suitable For Multi-Storey Buildings?
Prefabricated construction has taken the construction industry by storm and is increasingly gaining popularity as the preferred method of constructing buildings faster and with superior quality. Steel fabricated homes are designed and manufactured at an offsite factory location and then transported to the construction site for assembling into finished construction builds. Efficiently combining technology with craftsmanship, prefabricated steel structures have allowed builders to complete construction without compromising on structural stability, strength, or durability.
Is steel fabricated home construction suited for multi-storey buildings as well? We certainly think so. Before we get into those details, let us learn a bit more about steel fabricated homes.
Structural Integrity and Strength of Steel Fabricated Homes
Steel is known for its structural stability and has an excellent strength to weight ratio that allows it to withstand natural disasters and stand strong. Light gauge steel frames are made of superior quality steel and have high structural integrity which ensures that the connections of frame elements remain robust and strong. They do not expand or contract due to moisture content and do not undergo corrosion or decay. Steel fabricated buildings also enjoy the structural advantage of being resistant to progressive collapse, where loss or damage to a single component or frame due to an extreme condition will not trigger widespread damage to other components.
Design Flexibility with Steel Fabrication
Working with prefabricated steel components allows the builders to experiment with wider spans, more expansive interiors, and flexibility in design at the time of construction as well as at a later date. Steel fabricated building layouts can be customized as per the changing requirements of the builder, with flexibility in changing the design and structure of the exterior facade and roof as well as the interior walls, height of the ceiling, and other structural elements.
Benefits of Steel in Multi-Storey Construction
Prefabricated steel structures are put to a variety of uses in industrial, commercial, and residential construction due to the many benefits they bring. However, their contribution to the construction of multi-storey buildings deserves special mention.
Timeframe for Completion
Traditional construction invests a lot of time into constructing multi-storey buildings, easily taking 7-8 months as the bare minimum. External influences like weather conditions, logistics, and availability of labour add on to the planned time and cause unexpected delays. Steel fabricated homes and commercial buildings can be completed in a much shorter duration because the manufacturing of the steel structures is completed within the factory, can be easily transported to the construction site, and quickly be assembled using less time and labour.
Ease of Construction
Since the building components are created in the factory using accurate measurements and also undergo quality control inspection before being transported to the construction site, assembling them is easy. Also, steel components are much lighter than concrete and wood, and loading, transporting, unloading, and assembling do not require as much effort as in traditional construction. It is also possible to readjust or modify the layout, facade or interiors easily even after the construction has been completed partially or fully.
Safety Features
Prefabricated steel buildings are designed and engineered adhering to stringent safety and building standards and come with an unmatched strength-to-weight ratio. They are excellent as protection from natural disasters as well as from pest infestations, mould, mildew, and decay. Steel structures are also preferred for multi-storey building construction because they are designed to withstand daily wear and tear and require considerably less maintenance than buildings built using traditional construction methods.
Reduced Disturbance to Community
Construction of multi-storey buildings within city locations using prefabricated steel can help to reduce the amount of disruption caused to neighbouring buildings and roads due to construction activities. Noise and dust during construction are considerably less with steel structures, transportation frequency of vehicles with high loads is reduced, and less waste is generated during the construction process. Reduced construction time due to the speed of construction can also help to decrease the impact of construction activities.
Sustainability
Material wastage during construction is very low in steel fabricated homes, which is a great advantage when constructing multi-storey buildings. Steel is also 100% recyclable and can be recycled multiple times to suit various projects. Multi-storey buildings that are environment-friendly are preferred by buyers as there is now increased awareness among people about green living and sustainability. Reduced maintenance needs over the lifetime of the building is another sustainable achievement of steel buildings.
Ease of Dismantling & Rebuilding
Steel fabricated homes are very adaptable and can be easily modified or extended to meet future demands. The steel components of the building are also easy to dismantle and rebuild at another place or to recycle and use to construct other built structures. This feature of prefabricated builds is of great advantage during the construction of multi-storey buildings as it helps to reduce wastage during demolition/dismantling of the building and very little waste needs to be taken to the landfill.
Value for Money
Prefabricated steel structures offer value for money at the time of construction with savings on logistics, labour, and time. Maintenance costs during the lifetime of the multi-storey building will also be less when compared to traditional builds, bringing considerable savings over the years. When the building is dismantled, the steel scrap can be recycled and used again. Overall, prefabricated steel structures are a great monetary investment for the future.
Multi-storey steel Fabricated Homes With Edge Neoteric
Through constant research, by developing innovative methods and by using technology effectively, Edge Neoteric has given construction a new definition through Light Steel Frame Construction. Our construction methodology uses the very advanced QWIKNEXT technology and high quality TUFFRAME to bring you quick, sustainable and superior quality building solutions. The Light Steel Frame Construction is ideal for residential buildings, high-rise construction, commercial establishments and industrial buildings.