Prefabricated steel frames are one of the most common structures found in modern construction projects, combining the benefits of steel beams with flat-pack assembly to speed up the total construction time. Of course, nothing is 100% advantageous, though; even steel frame structures have drawbacks. So, what are the disadvantages and advantages of steel frame structures?
Advantages of steel frame structure use:
- Strong, durable material
- Highly customisable
- Highly resistant material
- Sustainable
- Speeds up construction times
Disadvantages of steel frame structure use:
- Reduced flexibility on-site
- Inefficient thermal insulator
- Requires additional supporting structures
Keep reading to break down what steel frame structures are, and what their pros and cons mean for you.
What is a Steel Frame Structure?
Steel frame structures are prefabricated structures composed of steel beams assembled into shapes that are useful during construction.
Typical steel frame structures include:
- Box frames
- Cross beams
- Goal posts
- Apex structures
- Posts with beams
Steel and steel frame structures are used in construction projects across many varied industries, from schools to warehouses to residential apartment complexes.
Advantages of Steel Frame Structures
The advantages of using a steel frame structure during your construction project are varied and, often, case-by-case. The advantages of steel frame structures include:
- Strong, durable material
- Highly customisable
- Highly resistant material
- Sustainable
- Speeds up construction times
Strong, Durable Material
Steel has a unique strength-to-weight ratio, so, compared to wood or concrete load-bearing components, steel is relatively lightweight and durable. Steel frame structures can withstand incredible weights without straining other parts of the construction, meaning they are applicable to most projects.
Highly Customisable
Steel frame structures can be fabricated to the exact specifications of your project, including variable lengths, heights, connection points, and shapes. This is great for extensions, modular builds, and specialist designs.
Highly Resistant Material
Structural steel features many inherent resistance properties, and can be coated to provide additional safety and aesthetic changes.
Fire Resistance
Steel frame structures are highly resistant to fire since steel is non-combustible; however, steel conducts heat readily and can lose strength at high temperatures.
Fire protection measures, such as intumescent coatings, are therefore required to improve fire resistance.
Pest Resistance
Structural steel is immune to the types of degradation that attracts burrowing insects and animals. Pests and infestation can be a significant issue for other building materials such as wood.
Weather Resistance
Steel frame structures can resist moisture well, offsetting corrosion for a long time. The carbon content of the steel used in frame structures can enhance its moisture and corrosion resistance properties, and hot zinc coatings and powder treatments can take your steel frame structure’s elemental resistance even further.
Sustainable
Steel is one of the most sustainable materials to use in modern construction, creating minimal impact on the environment and being versatile in use. The reasons steel is particularly beneficial to the environment include:
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- Steel can be recycled without losing strength or durability, meaning steel beams can be produced from old scrap at top quality
- Steel production is particularly energy efficient due to advancing technology and the use of scrap steel, which consumes less energy
- Precision fabrication techniques allow for complete efficiency at the installation stage, reducing on-site emissions, costs, and delays, and producing steel frames that fit the specifications perfectly
- Steel synergises well with other construction techniques, producing better-insulated and energy-efficient structures
- The transport emissions of steel beams are lower because fewer shipments are required to deliver prefabricated components to construction sites than with raw components
- Steel lasts without losing quality thanks to its durability, meaning that old steel structures can be repurposed without increasing a project’s carbon footprint
Speeds Up Construction Times
By using prefabricated steel frame structures delivered in flat-pack form, you reduce the amount of time spent on-site dealing with connections and setup. When you use a single steel frame fabrication company, everything is provided as you need it, when you need it.
Disadvantages of Steel Frame Structure
It’s not all sunshine and rainbows with steel frame structures, however. There are some realistic considerations when featuring them in your construction projects. The disadvantages of steel frame structures include:
- Reduced flexibility on-site
- Inefficient thermal insulator
- Requires additional supporting structures
Reduced Flexibility On-Site
On-site modifications to steel beams are possible—but limited—and can introduce delays or additional costs, making accurate upfront design essential.
Inefficient Thermal Insulator
Steel is a good conductor of heat and, therefore, a poor thermal insulator, meaning additional insulation is required within the building envelope.
Requires Additional Elements
Steel frames require infill elements (e.g. floors, cladding, partitions) to complete the building envelope and to provide thermal and acoustic performance. Drywall and concrete commonly feature in steel-frame buildings.
Higher Upfront Costs
Steel manufacture, fabrication, and delivery are costly processes, placing a lot of burden on project budgets upfront. However, while they are expensive early on, steel beams require significantly less maintenance with age than other structural elements like wood and stone supports, saving money in the long run.
The Benefits of Working With a Single Steel Supplier
The advantages of steel frames can be utilised by almost every modern construction project, but it is easy for mistakes to occur when liaising with multiple external companies for each step.
A single supplier can work alongside you at every stage—from design, to fabrication, to installation—and is essential for ensuring that your project runs smoothly and your specifications are met.
The benefits of working with a single steel supplier for your construction project include:
- Reduced site risk
- Improved coordination and time management
- On-site and off-site efficiency
- Precision fabrication
- Total accountability
Read on to learn how STEELO might have the steel frame structure solutions you’re looking for.
High-Quality Fabricated Steel Frame Structures with STEELO
STEELO is a London-based fabricator and supplier of steel frame structures. We work alongside clients during the design, manufacture, fabrication, and installation stages to ensure that our steel frame structures meet your project’s exact specifications.
Get in touch with our friendly team to discuss your options for steel frame structure fabrication today, or browse our full range of steel beams, prefab structures, and steel finishes online.
Bespoke Steel Frame Structure Fabrication
Steel Frame Structure Advantages & Disadvantages FAQs
Do Steel Frames Require Planning Permission?
Yes, typically, if you are using steel frame structures in your construction project or house renovation, you will need to obtain planning permission. More specifically, you are required to obtain planning permission when you are:
- Building something new
- Making major structural changes to a building
- Changing the use of a building
Work involving steel frames will almost always fulfil at least one of those criteria. Learn more about when planning permission is required for construction work in our blog: Do You Need Planning Permission for a Steel Beam?
Are Steel Frames More Expensive Than Traditional Construction?
Generally, no, steel frames are not more expensive than traditional construction materials. While steel frames typically have higher upfront costs than other structural materials like timber, brick, or concrete, they often create savings in every other way, for example, installation time, on-site labour, and maintenance costs.
How Long Does Steel Frame Installation Take?
Steel frame installation time depends on the size of the project:
- Small projects (garages & sheds): 1–2 weeks
- Medium projects (barns & warehouses): 3–6 weeks
- Large projects (complex commercial buildings): 2–6 months
Does STEELO Provide Installation As Well As Steel Frame Fabrication?
Yes, STEELO provides steel frame installation services alongside bespoke steel fabrication services. STEELO offers steel installation, fabrication, and consultancy services across a wide range of projects, with individual and package services available.
We work alongside our clients to provide precision-engineered steel. Contact STEELO to enquire about your steel requirements today.
How Long Will a Steel Frame House Last?
Steel frame houses can last a long time because of the inherently resistant nature of steel against corrosion, rot, fire, and damage. The degradation that occurs on steel frame houses comes from the additional materials and structures used to support the steel—brick, concrete, drywall—as these components do not always suffer wear and tear as well as steel.
Can I Get a Steel Frame Structure Fabricated By STEELO?
You can get a steel frame structure fabricated by STEELO and delivered directly to your construction site for installation. STEELO is London’s leading structural steel fabricator and supplier, so if your project needs a quick-assembly solution, or advice on engineering design plans, get in touch with STEELO’s friendly team today.
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