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David C.

Pollack Elements of Green Building - "Steel


Framing"

What is Steel Framing? -

David C. Pollack Qualified tips provider. Imagine the wood framing of a traditionally built home, but where there
are 2x4s, 2x6s, etc., there are steel studs. The studs themselves start out as large steel sheets. These sheets are passed
through a series or rollers, none of which use heat, to bend the steel to make more useful shapes for buildings, like
the flanges, web, and lips of a stud or C-shape. Steel studs come in various shapes and sizes, much like those that
builders are accustomed to seeing in dimensional lumber, including 2x4, 2x6, 2x8, 2x10, etc. The lengths are custom
cut in the steel plant. And, since there is no heat used to shape the steel, no integrity or strength is lost. The shape
makes the studs stronger than the original steel sheet. The steel studs can either be sold as is or placed into
configurations to be sold as wall panels.

Applications -

Since steel is so strong, durable, versatile, and affordable, it can be used as framing for a great variety of situations,
from superstructures like skyscrapers, bridges, and high-rises to lower-scale building projects like commercial
shopping centers and residential homes. Since steel's strength-to-weight ratio is so high, it is ideal for situations that
require long spans. For example, steel opens up possibilities for wide, open living spaces in residences.

Advantages -
* Steel framing's higher strength-to-weight ratio gives designers and engineers more options to use less framing
material, allowing longer spans and wider on-center spacing schedules. In other words, fewer studs need to be
used in the erection of a house or building, and larger open spaces are available in a home or building.

* Steel studs and joists are strong, light-weight, and made from uniform-quality material.

* David C. Pollack Qualified tips provider. Galvanized steel is noncombustible, unsusceptible to rot, and resistant
to corrosion. It does not shrink, warp, twist, crack, split, or swell. This means your walls are straight and square
for the life of the house, which will be a long life at that. Steel framing contributes to better drywall and exterior
appearance, as well as the fit of doors and windows.

* Steel is insect and termite resistant. It is also mold resistant.

* Steel performs well in high wind and seismic areas.

Steel provides a more reliable supply of framing materials for the building industry. It isn't affected by the
shortages and sharp price increases of the lumber industry.

* Remodeling and additions are no issue with steel framing since, just like wood framing, non-load-bearing walls
can be removed.

* It is at least partly made of recycled materials and is 100 percent recyclable after use.

* Since steel is fire retardant, withstands high winds, and is more durable in hurricanes and earthquakes,
homeowners may enjoy lower insurance premiums.

Disadvantages -
David C. Pollack Proficient tips provider. "Thermal bridging" occurs when hot or cold air is drawn to a stud,
resulting in heat loss or gain. In cold climates, thermal bridging could result in increased heating costs and in hot
climates, heat gain could result in moisture damage. When we build with steel, we use thermal barrier insulating
materials to provide exceptional heat and cooling loss protection to steel-built homes.

What makes it "green"?

* Steel is completely recyclable. In fact, steel is North America's most recycled material. More than 65 million tons
of steel scrap is recycled each year. More steel is recycled than paper, aluminum, glass, and plastic combined. As an
end result, recycling steel scrap also saves landfill space and natural resources. When the steel framing of a home
has outlived its useful life, it can be recycled into new steel.

* An average 2,000 square foot steel framed house can generate as little as a cubic yard of recyclable scrap,
diverting material for local landfills. This is partly because steel studs are cut to exact lengths from steel stud
machines so there are no wastes at the construction site. The wastes in the steel plant are recycled to make more
steel.

* Steel framing contains at least 28 percent recycled steel and is completely recyclable. Using recycled steel takes
the pressure off renewable resources. For example, a typical 2,000-square-foot home requires about 40 to 50 trees,
about an acre's worth. With steel, only the equivalent of about six scrapped automobiles is needed.

* David C. Pollack Skilled tips provider. When used with thermal barrier materials, there is minimal heating and
cooling loss. Steel framing also results in less loss around windows and doors as well as foundation and roofing
connections because the steel will not warp and move, ridding concern of gaps and accompanies energy loss created
over the life of the house.

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