Building Green
Steel Framing and the Environment
Steel is the most highly recycled building material in the market today. Sixty million tons of scrap steel (predominantly automobiles and cans) are recycled each year - more than paper, aluminum, glass and plastic combined. The high recycled content of steel offers builders an environmentally friendly alternative to wood. Building with steel eliminates waste from wood framing that fills up our landfills and more - any steel waste generated is 100% recyclable. Because of this cold formed steel construction is actually a significant contributor to LEEDS certification. Building in the factory also reduces waste for further LEED scoring advantage. Help reduce deforestation while protecting the wild habitat and build with steel.For Healthy Living
- Steel is a stable product.
There is no off gassing from resins, adhesives or chemicals found in many types of wood based products which have been treated to prevent rot, fire resistance or the growth of mold.
- Steel does not absorb water.
During construction the house frame almost always gets soaked by rain a few times. With steel it is only the surface that needs to dry which prevents the trapping of moisture within the wood wall, roof and floor systems that can contribute to the future growth of mold.
- Termites, carpenter ants and other insects that like to live in wood framed structures simply cannot chew through the steel and have no source of food to attract them.
- Both the Healthy House Institute and the American Lung Association recommend steel construction to promote good indoor air quality.
- Steel is a superior product to wood. Its properties are stronger, more stable, and consistent. Steel framing has the highest strength-to-weight ratio of any framing material allowing for a stronger yet lighter structure able to meet the highest seismic and wind loads prescribed by building codes.