Are steel buildings strong enough? – perhaps this is the question most frequently asked by prospective owners of steel construction, especially if the building is going to be erected in an area prone to extreme weather.
Steel is a material that has stood the test of time, the pre-fabricated constructions made from it being among the most durable buildings there are today, resistant to any weather and to almost any conditions. Here are a few of the most important features of these great, modern building solutions.
Resistance to Extreme Weather
With devastating storms, tornadoes, hurricanes and the floods that follow these extreme events becoming increasingly frequent even in regions that have not been previously affected by extreme weather, steel buildings are becoming the preferred choice for businesses as well as for individuals. The reason is simple: steel being a relatively lightweight, but extremely strong material, steel buildings can withstand the highest winds, the rain, even the hail that accompanies very strong storms. Steel buildings can also hold up the weight of thick layers of snow and they are not sensitive to extreme heat or cold either.
Resistance to Fire
Steel buildings are great for fire-prone areas as well. The metal used for construction does not ignite and it does not feed fire. Whatever the manufacturing technology used for making the frames, the panels, the fasteners and the other steel components used in a steel building, the materials and the manufacturing processes have all been designed with fire-resistance in mind, therefore steel buildings provide the highest level of protection against fire.
Resistance to Seismic Movements
Steel buildings provide safety and protection for everything and everyone in the building on the event of an earthquake as well. Earthquakes are caused by seismic movements that distribute strong shockwaves that shake buildings not vertically, but side to side. While most buildings constructed from traditional materials are able to resist vertical movements, they cannot stand up to very strong side-to-side movement and this is exactly what makes steel buildings so special: they can resist movements of any direction, vertical as well as side to side.
Resistance to Pests, Rust, Mold and Rot
Metal is an impermeable material that cannot be attacked by termites and other pests and it is not susceptible to water damage either. The steel used for construction purposes is rust-proof and corrosion-proof and no dampness, moisture or flood can damage it.
Varied Solutions for Even more Resistance
Steel is resistant to impact, to extreme weather, to temperature variations and to rodents and other pests, but the material’s strength can be further improved. Most steel buildings are covered in special coatings chosen to make the material resistant to the specific challenges of the region where the steel building will be located. The metal components can be painted using special substances to prolong the time the panels are able to resist rust, they can be covered in reflective finishes to improve the building’s energy-efficiency or in special granular coatings that make the building more resistant against the dents caused by strong hail.