Steel is one of the most used metals in 2024, especially in the construction industry. You can find different types of steel used in construction, including alloy steel, carbon steel, and galvanised steel.
Steel is a tough metal, so it’s understandable why it’s so frequently used in the construction industry. There are new construction materials being manufactured all the time, but steel has remained one of the most widely used metals in construction, design, fabrication and manufacturing for decades.
There are many reasons why steel is so popular, from its affordability to its properties. Keep reading to learn more about the benefits of using steel in the construction industry.
Steel Isn’t Expensive
One of the main reasons that steel is frequently used in construction projects is because it’s an affordable metal. Although steel isn’t as affordable as other metals such as concrete, steel has a variety of properties that ensure your value for money.
Steel is highly efficient and durable and can be used for a variety of purposes. It’s also a 100% recyclable material, which lessens the overall cost.
Steel Is Durable
Steel is a highly durable material, which is why it’s frequently used in the construction industry. You can create building frames with steel as it’s such a durable material. It’s a strong metal that can easily withstand high winds, hurricanes, corrosion, rain – pretty much anything.
In fact, steel pretty much outmatches most other materials, with a stress yield of around 50,000 pounds per square inch. This means that a building constructed with steel can withstand pretty much anything that nature throws at it.
It’s also a non-flammable material, which makes it a great choice in construction. Steel has massive compressive strength and can resist warping and buckling, meaning that it can stand up against earthquakes.
One of the key reasons that steel is so durable is because it’s manmade, unlike other materials used in construction such as wood. In 2024, there are more advancements coming out all the time to enhance the strength of steel, so it is continually becoming stronger.
Steel Is Versatile
Steel is used in a variety of industries for a reason – it’s a highly versatile metal. It’s used in the construction industry, in mechanical equipment, the automotive and aerospace industry, as well as other transportation industries.
Steel comes in different forms – the form that most of us recognise is its robust and unmoving form – but with the right tools, it can become a versatile metal.
Some kinds of steel are super lightweight – even lighter than wood. Despite being light, it has impressive strength. It can be more space-efficient than other materials such as concrete and is the perfect material for design.
In one quick walk through your city centre, you’ll find plenty of steel structures – whether it be cars, bridges, or even buildings.
Steel also looks great, with a sleek and modern appearance. Exposed steel frames are becoming more common in the construction industry, and they can come in a variety of colours, textures and finishes.