5 reasons to use LGS construction for your projects

5 Reasons to Use LGS Construction for Your Projects

Check now

Light Gauge Steel (LGS) or Cold Formed Steel (CFS) construction is a practical, code-approved solution to many limitations that builders face today when using traditional construction materials.

LGS construction methods using the FRAMECAD System result in faster build times, lower overall costs, more versatile and scalable design solutions, and improved building performance.

When combined with the inherent characteristics of steel, such as non-combustibility, termite and mold resistance, and dimensional stability, LGS/CFS construction offers a robust and sustainable building program.

FRAMECAD has been providing LGS/CFS construction solutions globally for over 30 years, establishing relationships with industry leaders, governments, and businesses.

Our eBook, "The Future of Construction – The Case for Building with Cold Formed Steel," explores the trends shaping the construction industry, as well as the benefits and best applications of LGS/CFS buildings worldwide.

The following are 5 key reasons why CFS/LGS construction methods using the FRAMECAD System are superior to traditional building methods:

1. It's faster.

Light framing construction outpaces traditional methods, particularly during the manufacturing and construction phases. CFS fabricators supply frames that are pre-assembled, strong, straight, and clearly identifiable. On-site welding or cutting is generally unnecessary, resulting in a quick and straightforward erection process.

Advanced tooling functions provided by systems like the FRAMECAD System facilitate high productivity and versatile output, enabling the production of roof trusses, wall frames, and floor joists to exact measurements, thereby saving time during construction.

Shorter construction times translate to reduced hard costs for your projects. For instance, building with CFS instead of traditional heavy materials like concrete and masonry can reduce the schedule of a mid-rise project by three months or more.

2. Highly-skilled labor on-site is not needed.

Using highly accurate design software like the FRAMECAD System, pre-engineered steel framing is cut to specified lengths, labeled, and pre-dimpled, making assembly simple, fast, and precise. Only a power drill and provided screws and fasteners are needed for assembly.

Due to its ease of assembly, less skilled labor is needed on-site, leading to clear cost benefits.

3. It's versatile.

The strength and ductility of light gauge or cold formed steel make it an ideal building material for various building types, from modular and pre-fabricated units to multi-story hotels, hospitals, schools, and standalone multi-story housing. LGS is suitable for almost any building design or application. With one of the highest strength-to-weight ratios among construction materials, it enables architectural designs that are not possible with traditional methods.

4. It offers greater ROI.

LGS construction is cost-competitive compared to traditional methods and can be cheaper depending on the building design, thanks to its advantages in construction speed, accuracy, and reduced labor costs.

LGS construction is also highly scalable, making it an ideal solution for mass production and repeatable designs—a significant advantage in areas needing affordable, quality housing, especially in developing countries. Long-term building maintenance costs are also reduced as steel resists rot, mold, and termite and insect infestation.

Wusheng Hardware contains other products and information you need, so please check it out.

5. It's better for the environment.

Traditional building methods often factor in up to 20% material wastage in the total project cost. Over time, this wastage can equate to as much as one building out of every five constructed. However, with LGS, waste is virtually non-existent. In the case of a FRAMECAD Solution, material wastage is less than 1%.

Additionally, steel is 100% recyclable, reducing the overall environmental impact of any waste created. LGS is also a 'dry' system, eliminating the need to use limited water resources for mixing cement or other materials.

If you want to learn more about the advantages of LGS as a building material and how the FRAMECAD System can drive ROI and value for your business, download our eBook for free today.

Whether you're already considering CFS or LGS systems for a specific project or are thinking about starting a cold formed steel manufacturing or construction business, talk to a FRAMECAD expert today.

Additional reading:
Demister Pads: A Look Into Its Separation Process
What Are The Main Components of a Wrought Iron Fence?
10 Questions You Should Know about Stainless Steel Roll Price

The Advantages & Disadvantages of Steel Frame Construction

Steel frame construction is steadily increasing its market share in the construction and civil engineering sector. However, is steel framing an effective construction method compared to the alternatives? In this article, we will weigh the pros and cons of structural steel frame construction as a guide for developers and design engineers exploring different construction options.

Understanding Steel Frame Construction

Steel frame construction was primarily used for large, simple structures such as garages, large agricultural buildings, and warehouses, as well as high-rise buildings. While this usage is still prevalent, steel frame construction is now also used for various other types of development, including offices, factories, schools, public buildings, and some residential dwellings.

Steel frame construction is suitable for a wide range of projects due to its:

• Durability
• Affordability
• Sustainability

Structural steel components can be quickly fabricated off-site and then transported to the construction site when needed, minimizing on-site labor requirements and reducing delays caused by adverse weather.

Despite these benefits, we will highlight several distinct advantages of steel frame construction from the perspective of fabrication, as well as a few disadvantages.

Advantages of Steel Frame Construction

Steel frame constructions offer the following advantages over brick, concrete, and wooden constructions.

1) Strength & Durability

Structural steel components are lighter and stronger than weight-bearing wood or concrete products. A typical weight-bearing steel fabrication is 30% to 50% lighter than a wooden equivalent, making steel frame construction far stronger and more durable than traditional wood-framed alternatives.

2) Easy Fabrication in Different Sizes

Steel studs are available in various sizes and can be custom-fabricated to bear specific loads in buildings of different types and sizes.

3) Fire Resistance

Steel frame constructions are highly resistant to fire, reducing the fire risk to a building and retarding the spread of a fire should one occur. Special flame-retardant coatings further enhance this property of structural steel.

4) Pest & Insect Resistance

Structural steel components are immune to the degrading effects of burrowing insects and mammals, which can pose a problem for wooden frameworks unless adequately treated.

5) Moisture & Weather Resistance

Depending on its carbon content, structural steel can have good moisture-resistant properties. Hot zinc coating and extra powder treatments for enhanced rust resistance make structural steel components even more immune to water effects, an important consideration for components exposed to the weather.

Disadvantages of Steel Frame Construction

Steel frame constructions do have a couple of disadvantages, the most commonly cited being:

1) Thermal Conductivity

Steel is not known for its warmth due to its high efficiency in conducting heat. The insulation value of walls can be reduced by as much as half when heat is transferred away through steel studs, not ideal for energy retention in a building. Where steel frame construction is used, insulation measures need to be implemented to counteract the thermal conductivity of steel.

2) Reduced Flexibility On-Site

One benefit of using wooden structural components is adjusting them on-site. A component can be cut to size, nails hammered in to strengthen the joint, and so on. This flexibility is not possible with steel, as measurements must be precisely calculated in advance, and the steel fabrication must be delivered to the site in its final form, ready to be slotted into the building. Accurate measurements from the start can mitigate the risk of inaccurate components, ensuring smooth progress on-site.

3) Supporting Structures

Steel frame constructions don't usually work independently and require drywall, sheathing, insulation, and supplementary wooden components to complete a building. Some construction businesses view the longer construction time needed for these adjustments as a disadvantage. However, the overall time savings typically outweigh any on-site adjustments required.

Steel Frame Constructions for Your Project?

If you are planning a development and want help deciding whether steel frame construction suits you, please get in touch with one of our engineers today. We can discuss your different fabrication options and explain how structural steel fabrications can increase your building's sturdiness, reduce costs, and cut construction time.

For a guide to working with subcontractors on structural steel fabrication, download our new guide: How to Ensure Quality, Compliance & Lead Time When Hiring Steel Fabrication Companies. The guide covers legal compliance, metal finishing, selecting a fabrication partner, and common mistakes to avoid. A complimentary copy of the e-book can be accessed by clicking here.

If you are looking for more details, kindly visit Metal Framing Companies.