DISADVANTAGES OF STEEL STRUCTURE HOUSES

Although steel structure houses have many advantages, including durability, flexibility, and low cost of materials, there are some disadvantages:
1. Fire resistance: although steel materials are part of the A1 fire resistance class (non-combustible), they should be clad with plasterboard to protect them from fire. Non-fireproof steel easily loses its static stability. However, there are solutions for protecting the steel structure against fire that, although they may increase the cost of the construction, will considerably improve the level of fire resistance.
2. Thermal conductivity: steel and other metallic materials are good thermal conductors and can allow the transfer of heat and cold between the interior and exterior. That’s why they should be clad with plasterboard and plaster between the steel profiles. Cladding the exterior with a thermal insulation material can turn this disadvantage into an advantage compared to other systems. The downside is only financial.
3. Protection against noise: steel materials are less effective in isolating external sounds, which requires soundproofing measures, also as applying plasterboard. There are other sound-absorbing materials that increase the cost but improve the level of sound insulation.
4. Aesthetics: Sometimes, steel structure houses can be considered limited for certain architectural styles. I’m referring to corner windows, large cantilever openings, or architectural elements that can only be obtained with reinforced concrete or other technologies.
5. Exposure to corrosion: steel materials are more prone to corrosion than other building materials, which can lead to problems with the long-term integrity of the structure if the maintenance measures foreseen in the design are not applied. This is not a disadvantage if the beneficiary follows the house maintenance instructions provided in the project.
As you can see, the disadvantages listed are not due to the shortcomings of the construction system, but to the fact that people perceive metal frame houses as a cheap alternative. Anyone who understands the above can transform these disadvantages, which are mainly of a financial nature, into the advantage of having a house with improved indicators.