The fact that prefabricated steel buildings, AKA pre-engineered steel structures or metal buildings, have had a niche role in the construction field over the years is largely due to misconceptions that traditional builders are happy to allow to thrive, or rather fester. That is changing now as perceptive, forward-thinking people in all kinds of industries are looking past these untruths and uncovering the very positive facts.
Let’s look at the myths and dispel them, replacing them with facts which can be of great benefit to anyone considering building a structure for industrial, commercial, agricultural, leisure, and even residential purposes. When the untruths are exposed and the exaggerations are put into perspective, steel comes out very favorably as a material for construction projects way beyond the unflattering popular image.
Steel Conducts Heat and Cold Too Easily
Metals, including steel, are indeed excellent conductors of heat. It’s something we all learned in science class, and the only trouble with that is that it can appear to be a problem when it is merely a fact, and a property that can be used beneficially or modified.
If temperature was such an issue in steel structures, how would they have gained their traditional position as the go-to material for aircraft hangars, industrial units, and farm buildings? Are these facilities exempt from temperature considerations? No, the fact is that operators in these fields enjoy the clear benefits of steel – speed of construction, low cost, and high durability, while taking steps to tackle the temperature issue. Reflective surfaces are easily created with certain special paints, so much of the sun’s power can be simply bounced back where it came from. It’s why buildings in hot countries tend to be white, because that in itself reflects the sun while dark colors absorb it.
Inside the building, if heat is an issue, insulation and temperature-break spacing can be very effective in keeping things cool. The other side of the coin is retaining the warmth when it’s cold outside, and this is the more commonly recognized use for insulation. Having sufficient insulation, which can come in several different forms, can significantly improve temperature control, thereby reducing fuel bills and creating a more pleasant ambience in the building.
Steel Buildings Are Noisier
Any large space in a building is going to suffer from echoing and reverberations, but acoustic technology can easily bring this under control. This can deaden sound, which is useful in certain applications, or simply modify it, creating the ambience the customer wants.
Steel Rusts Easily
Steel does rust, yes, but most materials suffer from corrosion in one form or another. Rust is the form of corrosion that steel and its parent, iron, are prone to. However, this tendency was noted long ago, and scientists and engineers have been on the case long enough to do something about it. Several things, in fact. Just as stainless steel (which is an alloy incorporating chromium) has been developed for all sorts of applications, such as cutlery and relatively small steel items, so the process of galvanization (coating with zinc) has long been used for protecting steel in larger quantities. It’s a lot cheaper than stainless steel and is one of the logical choices for anti-corrosion, along with red oxide, which can be seen in some buildings, looking rather puzzling until you know what it is.
So, the rust factor exists, but it’s not a problem if properly treated.
Lightning Strikes are a Hazard
How often have you heard of anyone being harmed when lightning strikes a steel building? Never, right? This is an imagined hazard, a nasty thought placed in some people’s minds. Of course, lightning strikes buildings, and it is attracted to tall things, such as church spires, and that is why lightning conductors or rods were invented. Traditionally, they were made of lead, but nowadays copper and aluminum are more common. If steel was such a sitting duck, they’d be using that. If this is still worrying you, talk to your steel structure building contractor for reassurance and practical suggestions. Safety is going to be high on their list of priorities.
Steel Prefabricated Buildings Are Expensive
On the contrary, steel pre-engineered structures are very cost-effective. They are quick to construct, which reduces labor costs, and the overall cost of materials can be negotiated according to various grades of steel and protection.
Steel Structures Interfere with WiFi
This is utter nonsense. Wi-Fi can have problems in all sorts of buildings, but the presence of steel is not one of them.
Consider a Steel Structure for Your Next Building Project
We hope we’ve helped to put the myths surrounding steel into perspective, and you will consider it for your next building project.
