Top 10 Benefits of Using Steel in Hawaii Construction Projects

The use of steel in Hawaii construction projects has many benefits; benefits that are causing builders to re-think the use of steel. As a building product, we are used to seeing steel on Hawaii high-rises, but the material can be used for homes and business construction projects of any size and we are seeing more and more of this occurring.

Top 10 Benefits Of Using Steel In Hawaii Construction Projects

1. Eco-friendly Building Product. Steel has many eco-friendly characteristics. It is 100% recyclable. It ranks high for indoor air quality since there are no chemicals to off-gas after construction. It is naturally mold and mildew resistant.
2. Exceptionally Straight Sections. Steel is one of the straightest of building materials, formed in precise shapes that do not require any planning on-site. This makes for straighter walls and truer corners with less work.
3. Durable. Steel won’t warp, crack, bend, split, shift, shrink, or expand over time or with changes in temperature or humidity, leading to fewer nail pops and wall cracking than is expected with wood-framed structures. Even without any special care, steel components can last for 100 years or more.
4. Insect Resistant. Steel is insect-proof, resisting termites and the need for expensive, chemical-laden termite or insect treatments. In fact, steel satisfies Hawaii’s requirements for termite-resistant construction.
5. Fire Resistant. Steel is non-combustible. With nearly 1/3 of structural fires starting inside the wall cavity, steel can help contain or slow the spread of a fire rather than add fuel to it. Using steel in Hawaii construction may even lower property insurance rates.
6. Wind Resistant. Steel buildings can withstand even hurricane-force winds when specified correctly, making the material extremely wind-resistant.
7. Corrosion Resistant. Galvanized zinc coatings make steel extremely resistant to corrosion. Galvanized steel can last for 100 years as long as it’s not sitting in water. Zinc provides two levels of protection – cathodic protection and a physical barrier – against corrosion.
8. Lightweight. Steel can be fabricated into extremely lightweight sheets or panels, yet remains strong. Lighter weight means there is less need to reinforce the underlying structure that the steel may rest on, such as roof framing.
9. Strong. Few building materials have a higher strength-to-weight ratio than steel.
10. Versatile. Steel can be custom fabricated into nearly any shape, size, thickness, or