Speed

A steel frame can be erected at speed and with relative ease compared to a concrete slab construction. Each steel beam is pre-engineered and cast to fit specific requirements, eliminating the need for any production on site which limits human error. These beams are then assembled rapidly, and it is not unusual to see a floor being built per week.

As well as speeding up the process for contractors on site, steel frame construction also minimizes disruption for passing traffic and local businesses by reducing the construction timetable.

Durability

Steel is incredibly durable and requires minimal maintenance over the lifetime of a building. This saves money in the long term and means that each building is built to last.

It is also a flexible material, able to bend without cracking or breaking, and can withstand a great amount of weight and force. This makes a building more useful and durable in the long term, further increasing the utility of the homes.

Recyclable

Steel is also environmentally impressive when compared to concrete. For a start, it can be recycled at the end of its life which is a major advantage. In fact, steel is one of the most recycled products in the world, with tens of millions of tones being recycled annually.

Furthermore, nothing is wasted during the process of recycling steel. This makes it unusual among all materials, not just those used in construction, and is a major advantage. It is estimated that at least 30% of new steel products made today is actually recycled material. We would expect this figure to rise over time as recycling techniques and technologies become more refined.

Sustainable Production

the amount of energy required to produce a single ton of crude steel has decreased by more than 60 percent;

water loss has been reduced to 10 percent or less; and

Waste water from steel production is treated and returned to the source cleaner than when it was taken.

Sustainable Transportation

Steel, for all its strength, is a light material for its size. More steel can be transported using a single volume of fuel than any other construction material. Rock, concrete and wood is all strong substances, but their strength-to-weight ratios do not come close to matching that of steel.

Since steel production is spread throughout the country, it also saves on fuel use and energy costs because of shorter transportation distances, enhancing the savings from the lighter weight.