Steel is a superior construction material for nonresidential and residential construction. Building designers, owners and architects can find durable and sustainable steel solutions for their projects with cold-formed steel framing, wide flange structural shapes and joists, and metal building systems.
Cold-Formed Steel Framing
Cold-formed steel framing provides the highest strength-to-weight ratio of any building material. It does not contribute to the spread of a fire; will not rot, warp, split, crack or creep; does not expand or contract with moisture content; and is produced in strict accordance with national standards, with no regional variations. Steel framing is not vulnerable to termites, mold or fire. Builders can realize substantial discounts on builders risk insurance with this material. Steel is lighter than other framing materials and saves job-site time with ease of panelization off-site. It provides straight walls and square corners, results in less scrap and waste than lumber, and is 100% recyclable. SMDI's partners in cold-formed steel framing systems are the Steel Framing Alliance and the Canadian Sheet Steel Building Institute.
Structural Steel
Structural steel beams and columns provide durable and cost-effective benefits for a building's framing system. The benefits of structural steel includes its design flexibility, high strength, ease of design, sustainability, and aesthetic appeal. Structural steel allows for a rapid design, fabrication and erection cycle, and is readily available. It is innovative, responding to designer demands. Innovations have addressed issues relating to long-span deck systems, fire protection, connection optimization and coating systems. SMDI's partner in structural steel is the American Institute of Steel Construction.
Steel joists are structural steel systems that provide many benefits for building design, including durability; "green" building advantages; design flexibility; high strength-to-weight ratio, allowing steel joists to perform in both tension and compression; and ductility. SMDI's partner in this sector is the Steel Joist Institute.
Metal Buildings
Metal buildings provide steel solutions for low-rise facilities ranging from commercial and industrial buildings to institutional and recreational facilities. Metal buildings are noncombustible and feature rigid and braced steel frames comprised of both hot- and cold-formed steel shapes, plates, sheets, roof decks and panels. Metal building system manufacturers custom-design each building system and all building components according to their customers' needs and specifications. Metal building systems are engineered to the required dimensions and designed to meet the loading conditions with the material specified based on local and national building codes. They can incorporate different architectural finishes for aesthetic purposes, and provide significant cost advantages over many other building types. SMDI's partners in metal building systems are the Metal Building Manufacturers Association and the Canadian Sheet Steel Building Institute.