Benefits of Cold-Formed Steel

General Benefits

• Most cost-effective mid-rise structural material 
• Shorter and predictable construction schedule 
• Highest strength-to-weight ratio of any building material 
• 100 percent recyclable 
• 88 percent industry recycling rate 
• Non-combustible – does not burn nor contribute fuel to the spread of a fire 
• Inorganic – will not rot, warp, split, crack or creep 
• Dimensionally stable – does not expand or contract with moisture content 
• Consistent material quality – produced in strict accordance with national standards, no regional variations 

Consumer Benefits

• High strength results in safer structures, less maintenance and slower aging of structure 
• Fire safety – does not burn or add fuel to the spread of a house fire 
• Not vulnerable to termites. 
• Not vulnerable to any type of fungi or organism, including mold/mildew  
• Less probability of foundation problems – less weight results in less movement 
• Less probability of damage in an earthquake 
• Lighter structure with stronger connections results in less seismic force 
• Less probability of damage in high winds 
• Stronger connections, screwed versus nailed 
• Homeowner insurance premiums are reduced  

Durability

Steel is bug proof and cannot absorb moisture, therefore will not rot, or grow mold. Steel also does not generate off-gassing and does not require toxic chemicals to prevent depletion.  

We can take any architectural design for a wood structure and directly substitute steel for wood. Additionally, there are virtually no limitations in combining other building materials with steel. A CFS structure will be lighter than the comparable structure in wood or concrete.  This directly translates into decreased shipping costs and less concrete in foundations.  

CFS is made to last longer than many other building materials. As noted by the Steel Framing Industry  Association, with the proper coating and construction techniques, the protective barrier over cold-formed steel will last nearly 700 years before the level of corrosion resistance deteriorates, even under extreme conditions such as near aggressive salt-laden waters. This durability translates to long-term savings because projects built with CFS components will not require the frequent repairs and replacements that are common to wood components due to fire, rot, mold, warping, and infestations. 

For example, while other structures may require chemical termite treatments or pressure-treated lumber, CFS on its own is compliant with the International Residential Code’s requirement for termite-resistant construction. 

Steel is also dimensionally stable, meaning it won’t shrink, split, warp, or crack — which helps avoid costly repairs and purchasing additional material.

Precise

As human error is almost entirely mitigated from our process, our structures are produced and installed within a dimensional tolerance which meets and exceeds building code requirements. Our structures will not twist, warp, split, bow, or shrink and are perfectly straight, square and plumb every time. 

Fire Safe

Life safety, and specifically fire protection, has been and will always be a primary concern of the building codes. Steel is a non-combustible material and consequently does not burn, provide an ignition source or add fuel load that would enable a fire to spread or grow into a catastrophic event. Steel does not melt at temperatures typically encountered in a building fire. Its non-combustibility and assembly fire ratings do not degrade over the lifecycle of a building. This provides a reduced fire risk to workers and occupants, minimizes the impact on municipal fire services, decreases the reliance on sprinklers, and results in less property damage and collateral damage to adjacent buildings if a fire should ever occur. 

• Steel has a melting point of approximately 1500°C (2700°F). In a typical fire, such as in an office, residential or retail occupancy, the maximum temperature of a fully developed fire will not likely exceed a range of 800 to 900 °C (1,500 to 1,650 °F), though it could reach a peak of 1,100 °C (2,000 °F) for a short duration. 
• Buildings codes recognize the fact that buildings designed with non-combustible materials like steel pose less of a fire risk to the public than combustible systems, which are limited to six storeys in height in Canada and 85 feet in the US. 

Design Flexiblity

Unmatched clear span vs. I-wood allows for open design and bigger rooms. Up to 30% greater spans than engineered lumber. 

Eliminate bulkheads to create more modern and spacious rooms that make units more marketable in today’s market. 

Create higher ceilings, slimmer bulkheads and decreased floor depth using a lower-profile joist that is up to 30% shallower than I-wood.