Does Steel Qualify To Be The Most Green And Sustainable Construction Material?
Innovative green construction materials are assisting builders and architects to construct eco-friendly and healthier buildings than ever before. You will be amazed to know that steel has been used for more than 200 years to build sustainable homes and it is not a new technology. Hence, steel leads in the world of green construction materials.
The Durability Quality of Steel
Initially, steel was not being used like a green material. Builders and architects started using metallic frames to make buildings fireproof during the 1700s especially in the textile and agricultural industries. Commercial buildings such as factories initially used iron frames but they were extremely weak for handling heavy loads. If you are looking for steel angle suppliers, check out Vitz Metals Inc for best prices on angle iron from Texas based supplier.
Steel came in handy to overcome the shortcomings of iron. Architects started using steel to build expansive bridges, stylish homes, and skyscrapers. In 1933, a major debut featuring steel was presented in a Chicago World Fair, and three homes made of steel frames were exhibited. Today’s homes continue using steel as one of the main construction material and in a manner that would never be imagined in the 1933 exhibition.
Steel comes with many properties that make it a preferred construction material for many years. These beneficial properties include non-combustibility, strength and durability. Its sustainability is making it a shining star construction material today in the entire construction industry.
Is it Factual that Steel is the Most Sustainable and Greenest Construction Material Available Today?
Steel is ranked as the number one recycled material today worldwide. More steel gets recycled than aluminium, plastic and paper combined across North America annually. In fact, steel amounting to more than 600m metric tons gets recycled annually.
All pieces of steel being used today in construction contain recycled content. Steel, unlike other recyclables, can retain its qualities without compromising quality. This shows that steel can have an unlimited lifecycle. Steel beams can become cans, appliances, cars, or even future steel beams without losing strength and other qualities.
Research done by a steel recycling institution indicates that a two thousand square ft two story building can get framed from recycled steel from 6 cars. If wood was to be used to frame the same house, it would require cutting down trees from a whole acre of land.
Additionally, steel is not only used for framing. Recycled steel is also used in home facets. It is ideal in making doors and windows since its durability and strength can be able to hold large glass panes in narrow frames. It is also used in making tiles, flooring, cabinets, furniture and countertops and hand rails for staircases among other items.
Most traditional construction materials tend to produce pollutants such as the formaldehyde used in the manufacture of flooring, furniture, cabinets, wood panels and plywood. Using steel is a green alternative that makes any home a healthier living space.
Steel and Sustainable Green Construction Codes
Building guidelines are continually becoming stricter. Steel enables architects and designers to meet these standards no matter how strict they might be in whichever state. In fact, all major sustainable and green construction codes recognize steel as a green material.
The manufacturing industry dealing with steel has been at the forefront of discovering new ways of improving its energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gases emission. For instance, steel production in the U.S has reduced energy intensity of steel by 32% and reduced greenhouse gasses intensity by 37% since 1990.
A Long-Lasting Steel Solution
Steel will continue being used as a green alternative even in the future. Structures made of steel last for centuries, making them sustainable and cost effective. More so, steel is an extremely resilient material that withstands earthquakes, fires, blasts, and hurricanes. It doesn’t creep, split or warp and is pest and moisture resistant. Its durability decreases carbon footprint while conserving natural resources in the long term. When it is time for steel to be replaced, it can undergo recycling for reuse.
From steel windows to doors, cabinets, furnishings, and stainless countertops, steel has indeed proven to outshine all other building materials and emerges as the leading green material.