If you are about to build, you have probably wondered whether steel framing or brick is better. Both are good options; the difference lies in how the house is built and what that means for timelines, comfort and the job site.
How each one is built
In traditional construction, walls are masonry with plaster, built wet. In steel framing, the structure is galvanized steel and walls are built in layers: drywall, glass wool, studs, OSB board, membrane and EIFS exterior insulation. You can explore each layer on the steel framingpage.
Build time
Being dry construction, steel framing avoids curing and drying times. On our projects, a home of up to 100 m² was completed in 5 to 9 months from the slab. We explain it in how long a steel frame home takespage.
Insulation and comfort
The multi-layer wall combines interior insulation (glass wool) and continuous exterior insulation (EPS), with a vapor barrier and a water and wind membrane. This provides very good thermal and acoustic insulation with thinner walls than masonry.
Durability
Galvanized steel does not rust or rot and is immune to termites. Every structure is engineered by a civil engineer. With the normal maintenance of any home (sealants, gutters and exterior paint), a steel frame home lasts as long as a traditional one.
A cleaner, tidier site
Less water is used and less rubble is generated. This is an advantage in gated communities, where the rules require tidy job sites.
Financing
Steel frame homes qualify for mortgages: banks accept them for mortgage loans. See mortgage loanspage.
What to keep in mind
Specialized labor: the system needs crews who know it; choose a builder with projects you can see. Wall-mounted loads: cabinets, TVs or heavy items need reinforcements placed during construction, so define them in the design. Extensions: they are possible, ideally planned from the start.
If you want to see real results, browse our projectspage.
Want to build your steel frame home?
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