BUILDER/OWNER

Cold-formed steel is a cost-effective material for mid-rise and multi-family projects

• More stories and higher density mean more revenue from the same urban footprint.
• With steel framing, you can build taller and faster than with other materials.
• Every additional square foot built onto a project means more potential revenue for the building owner.

Lower construction costs

The use of load-bearing cold-formed steel framing in typical mid-rise and multi-family construction projects can mean lower construction costs compared with other structural framing systems such as structural steel or concrete.

• Steel framing has the highest strength-to-weight ratio of any construction material, meaning less material is required to carry the same structural loads.
• Since cold-formed steel is lighter than other construction materials, less concrete is needed at the foundation to support the structure – cutting costs further.
• This lighter weight also means it is possible to build in soil conditions where other materials would not be allowed.
• Steel framing also allows for designs that use wider stud spacing and varying thicknesses of material, which can result in cutting construction costs by as much as 20 percent compared to traditional concrete or structural steel systems.
• The consistent, high quality of steel framing results in few warranty claims and call-backs.

Faster construction schedule

• More efficient construction methods available for cold-formed steel projects, such as panelization, can reduce the construction schedule.
• Most construction projects are panelized, meaning the components of the structure (walls, floors, and roofs) are assembled in a controlled manufacturing environment.
• Steel framing is well-suited for panelization because it is precision manufactured to meet exacting tolerances, and its lighter weight makes the assembled components easier to handle.
•  A properly planned steel framing project can be easier to coordinate and require less area for storage and staging (especially important on urban in-fill projects), as well as infrastructure and equipment for handling and installing other systems.
• Move occupants into the project faster due to the shorten construction schedule.
• Lower financing costs because shorter construction time means reduced interest charges.

Lower insurance premiums

• Cold-formed steel’s unique material characteristics result in significant savings on builder’s risk, construction and ownership insurance costs, including general liability, worker’s compensation, and commercial property.