Key Differences Between Light Gauge Steel Framing in Residential and Commercial Buildings

With prefabricated steel buildings increasing in popularity for both residential and commercial construction, the term ‘light gauge steel frame’ has become familiar to many. They are thin sheets of cold-formed galvanized steel that are used in LGSF (Light Gauge Steel Framing) construction technology. Compared to wood and other traditional construction materials, these frames are lightweight, making it easy to transport them to the construction location. Their thinness belies their strength-to-weight ratio, as LGSF frames are sturdy, strong, and capable of bearing very heavy loads. Prefabricated buildings use light gauge steel frames that are accurately manufactured to meet precise measurements. Another advantage enjoyed by LFSF frames is that they can be recycled multiple times without losing their original strength and quality, making them a very sustainable option in construction.

Structural Differences Between Residential and Commercial Construction

Residential buildings are constructed for people to live in and include houses or apartment complexes. Commercial buildings are larger buildings that are used for a variety of business-related purposes. They include large scale buildings and privately owned business spaces. There are a few distinct differences between the construction of residential buildings and commercial buildings.

Durability and Load-Bearing Capabilities

Using light gauge steel frames for a building construction ensures that the entire structure will be light and will not require a heavy foundation, without compromising on structural integrity or durability. This holds true for both residential and commercial buildings. Since commercial buildings are bigger in scale and area or will cover multiple floors, and receive much more footfall, they require more strength. They will need to have additional steel reinforcements as compared to residential buildings so that they can improve their load-bearing capabilities.

Design Flexibility and Customization

Residential buildings constructed using light gauge steel frames have greater flexibility in design and the building can be customized to suit the specific requirements of the client in a better way because the scale of construction is less. In the case of commercial buildings which require more focus on durability and strength, the design of the building is often more streamlined to meet the requirement of multiple clients or for multiple purposes, though even here it is possible to bring a certain degree of personalization and customization.

Speed of Construction: Residential vs. Commercial

In traditional construction, as the scale of construction increases, the speed of construction decreases due to multiple dependencies including material, labour, logistics, and weather conditions. This has a direct impact on the time taken to complete construction which increases as the scale gets bigger. In such cases, the speed of construction of residential buildings is more than the speed of construction of commercial buildings.

When working with prefabricated buildings that use light gauge steel frames, the design is finalized with precise measurements and the components are manufactured in a controlled environment within the factory. The components are also inspected and approved for quality and accuracy before being transported to the construction site. Therefore, when constructing steel buildings, the speed of construction is high irrespective of whether the building is residential or commercial. With less requirement of manpower, easier transportation of components and lesser dependencies on weather conditions, the time taken for construction can also be reduced to a large extent in the case of both residential and commercial buildings.

Are Light Gauge Steel Frames The Way Forward?

The popularity of light gauge steel frames in construction is primarily because of ease of construction. The precise specifications of the steel components ensure consistency in construction, making them versatile for a variety of applications. LGSF is used for building load-bearing and non-load-bearing walls, wall claddings and partitions, wall connectors, in roof systems and for improving the durability of flooring systems. They can be easily used for the construction of both residential and commercial buildings and offer high precision, and incredible strength-to-weight ratio, are more durable than conventional construction components and are the environment friendly alternative in construction.

TUFFRAME from Edge Neoteric Builders

TUFFRAME is a light gauge steel frame made of the finest quality steel using sophisticated technology that lends power to Edge Neoteric’s QWIKNEXT Technology. The light gauge steel frames offer exceptional strength and durability, help in the faster erection of building structures, and can be recycled and reused many times over making them best suited for construction in the future.