Why Metal Framing is the Smart Choice for Building
Because steel is inorganic, using metal for buildings offers many advantages over an organic building material like wood.
Here are the reasons steel is the preferred choice for most construction projects:
Consistent, Dependable Steel for Buildings
Nature, while endlessly beautiful, creates organic materials, which are endlessly variable and unique. However, such inconsistency does not make the best building material.
Why?
Because no two species of wood are exactly alike in strength.
In fact, no two trees of the same species are even precisely alike. That is because a tree’s age, growing conditions, region, climate, rainfall, soil, insects, diseases, and other variables all affect the tree’s strength.
On the other hand, steel for buildings is manufactured to precise tolerances governed by strict national industry standards. Therefore, steel is always predictable and reliable.
Every steel component of a given gauge compares exactly to all the other members just like it. Its strength characteristics are known and precise.
Using metal for buildings takes full advantage of steel’s predictability and stability.
In addition, engineering software quickly and efficiently designs a prefab steel building to meet or exceed all current local building codes— with the least amount of steel possible.
Steel’s verifiable consistency makes the strongest possible structure at the best possible price.
It is Faster to Use RHINO Metal Framing
Because inorganic steel is so much stronger than wood, it requires far fewer structural pieces to construct a very strong frame.
While wood framing is typically built 16 inches on center, a prefab metal building normally places primary framing members 25 feet on center.
When lumber arrives at a wood construction site, builders must examine it carefully and cull out the worst pieces. (At lease, you had better hope your builder refuses to use the twisted, warped, and defective studs!)
Then all the lumber is measured and sawed to length. That is a very time-consuming process.
Conversely, since all the steel components are cut, welded, drilled, and marked at the factory, the metal framing for a prefab steel building arrives ready to assemble.
Consequently, a RHINO prefab metal building lops an impressive 33% off construction time when compared to old-fashioned wood framing.
RHINO Steel Framing is Stable
Organic wood changes shape as humidity levels vary. Lumber warps, bows, twists, shrinks, splits, rots, and moves as moisture content changes. Nails start to pop out. Framing loosens. Corners are no longer straight. Doors and windows start to stick. Floors begin to creak. Overhead door frames and roof lines sag. The building becomes drafty.
Fortunately, steel building framing is inorganic and thus unaffected by changing moisture. You can depend on a steel building to remain straight, strong, attractive, and tight for decades longer than a wood structure.
A Prefab Metal Building is Resistant to Pests
Termites, wood ants, mice, and rats love to gnaw on tasty organic wood framing.
But what creepy critter can make a meal of steel?
And, since termites are not an issue for steel buildings, there is no need to treat your structure with those strong chemicals used in wood framing. Therefore, chemically sensitive people often prefer steel framing.
Using Metal for Buildings Discourages Mold
Not only does wood attract insects and vermin, it also promotes mold.
Mold actually feeds on organic material— especially moist organic material.
The air-borne spores produced by mold wreak havoc on anyone with sensitive allergies, asthma, or other lung conditions.
Steel is inorganic, so it does not attract or support mold.
Steel Building Framing Resists Fire
Did you know that the third most likely place for a structural fire to start is within wood framing?
Wood not only ignites easily, it also provides fuel to a fire.
Conversely, incombustible steel building framing will not ignite to start a fire, nor does it add fuel to a burning building.
Metal Framing Thwarts Lightning Damage
Organic wood is a poor conductor of electricity. In fact, lumber’s resistance to current is so strong, lightning striking wood often flashes out and harms nearby objects or people. That is why it is so dangerous to stand beneath a tree in a thunderstorm.
Fortunately, steel is a fantastic conductor of electricity.
In a properly grounded steel building, lightning follows the framing, passing harmlessly into the ground.
Conclusion
Choosing an inorganic prefab metal building over ordinary wood construction is a no-brainer. RHINO’s steel building framing is the clear winner.
Call RHINO Today for a Free Steel Building Quote
RHINO’s metal framing specialists provide you with expert guidance and friendly service.
Call 940.383.9566 now to discuss your building project in detail or to get more information about steel frame construction advantages.
(Updated 11-18-2020. Originally published 6-7-2013.)