As it’s 100% recyclable, steel is a much more eco-friendly material than concrete. Lots of recyclable metal is sourced from demolishing old steel structures. This reduces the burden on the raw material mining industry and results in a manufacturing process that has a smaller environmental footprint. In the US, the long-span metal beams used in new steel buildings are made from around 95% recycled material. Thanks to the recyclability of steel, contractors can also benefit from LEED points. The owners of a metal building also get the opportunity to obtain a LEED certification. They can do this by utilizing energy-saving strategies that impact the complete cycle of a project, starting from eco-friendly construction practices right until the end of the project’s useful life. Effective strategies include opting for “greener” construction methods, materials, and an array of other criteria, including considerations like efficient drain cleaning systems. All of these will earn the project owner points towards their LEED certification.
Time and Cost Savings
Pre-fabricated steel building kits are procured in an almost-complete form and can be assembled as soon as they arrive on the construction site. Furthermore, a metal structure can be erected regardless of whether the temperature is hot or cold. Concrete, on the other hand, requires warmer temperatures as it needs to be hoarded and heated. Tilt-up concrete also involves precise and accurate mixing of a wide variety of materials. This is a process which can consume a significant amount of time.
On average, the assembly and erection of a steel structure take about 33% less time compared to other construction methods. The installation costs of steel wall panel systems are generally on par with EIFs and synthetic stuccos, and considerably less than the ones in tilt-up concrete. This is because steel wall panel systems can be installed much faster than other systems, thereby resulting in significant time and labor-cost savings.
Furthermore, builders who opt for tilt-up concrete construction run the risk of facing delays caused by the shortage or lack of availability of key concrete-making materials such as cement. A variety of factors such as import policies and shipping rates can affect the availability and prices of cement.
On Site Work
Steel arrives on site ready to be used whereas concrete has to be prepared on-site, a process which can face potential delays because of adverse weather conditions.
Defining Tilt-Up Construction
Tilt-up construction involves the walls of a structure being horizontally cast on the ground before they are lifted and fixed to a pre-constructed foundation slab or edge beam. To ensure that the structure is stable and weather-proof, the adjacent units are connected together. In case there are issues with the foundation, it’s crucial to have them inspected and repaired by a foundation repair company to maintain the structural integrity of the building.