The idea of cold-formed steel buildings can seem quite strange. Many people visualize steel as being formed at extremely high temperatures, when it is pliable enough to be pressed into shape, or beaten, as we know blacksmiths do when shaping horseshoes. But cold-formed steel buildings are simply buildings that are made of parts that have been shaped at ambient temperature rather than softened up by heat. All the girders, beams, joists, and panels that arrive at a construction site are already cool, having long since left the foundry where the steel itself was made and the factory where the parts were shaped.
That means the fact that certain parts were “cold-formed” is not noticeable, because whether this steel was shaped when cold or hot, that is all in the past.
The confusion is caused by the fact that cold-formed is a relatively recent term and cold-formed steel framing was previously known as light gauge steel or perhaps lightweight steel framing. Those terms are more revealing as to the qualities that cold-formed steel construction brings with it, but it’s just an example of such terminology being all very well for the professional but counter-productive for the client.
Cold-Formed Steel vs Hot-Rolled: What are the Differences in Practice?
Cold-formed steel is lighter than hot-rolled steel, making it easier to handle and transport. This fits well into the modern ecological ethos, where less is more. Less heat in the forming process saves energy at that stage, and lighter units of what is inherently heavy, tough material mean less strain on vehicles used for transportation – and therefore less fuel consumption, plus cranes used for putting these strong, silent types into position. That means that cold-formed steel residential framing is more environmentally friendly in a way that would not even be considered by anyone who didn’t know the technical processes of this branch of heavy industry. It is relatively lightweight but still immensely strong and cost-effective, and versatile enough to be used in industrial, commercial, and residential applications.
Cold-formed steel is resistant to corrosion and doesn’t flinch in the face of a bit of moisture. It can be treated with coatings to help in certain conditions and one of the reservations some people have about steel buildings in general – temperature conduction – is easily solved by the use of insulation.
Like steel in general, cold-formed steel is also an unattractive proposition for vermin from termites to rats, giving them no encouragement and obliging them to look elsewhere for a place to make a home.
Cold-formed Steel vs Red Iron
One kind of steel commonly seen on building sites is red iron steel. The color comes from a red oxide coating which is applied to enhance anti-corrosion properties and can be very useful in certain situations. But it is hot-formed and therefore heavier and more energy-draining to produce.
There is no right and wrong in the contest cold-formed steel vs red iron steel. It is a question of suitability for specific projects and if you are in the process of planning your prefabricated steel structure you may want to discuss this with your contractor to hear their views on it as regards performance and cost.
You may want to ask them about the notion that cold-formed steel frames need less concrete in the foundations. This may be a significant factor, depending on the purpose of your building and whether you are going to need a huge slab or individual footings.
Whether to Go for Cold-Formed Steel or Hot-Rolled
With the best will in the world, like many aspects of construction and indeed any specialized area where in the internet era we are tempted to try to gain some significant knowledge in a matter of minutes, this is not a subject for which the layperson is qualified to make a judgement except on ecological and cost grounds, so it is imperative to find a contractor who can explain in more detail and give a good reason for choosing one over the other. Both are equally quick to assemble, and therefore, the construction crew will be on your list of costs for a shorter time.
Choosing to have a prefabricated steel building in the first place is an excellent idea in a great many cases, and the use of cold-formed steel construction or its hot-rolled alternative may ultimately be academic. See what your contractor has to say about it as regards the bottom line and the long-term prospects for the building, then make your decision accordingly. The cold-formed option is generally a little more expensive, but you will have to weigh that against the advantages we looked at above.
