Steel houses are the result of research conducted by many people who want to build a new house on their own land. A steel house is essentially a type of house that is preferred and appreciated due to its higher safety compared to traditional concrete buildings.
What is a Steel House?
The system in which the load-bearing walls are made of steel profiles and the floor and roof panels are assembled according to the necessary anchoring rules is called a steel house. These houses, which have a lightweight steel frame as the load-bearing system, are built with steel profiles for the load-bearing wall and floor panels. During production, hot rolled galvanized sheets are shaped using cold forms. The wall thickness of the material used for the steel house varies between 0.8 and 2-5 mm.
The load-bearing wall and floor elements, arranged at regular intervals, are connected by horizontal and vertical cross members to complete the construction of a steel house. To handle horizontal loads, the system is reinforced with diagonal braces and horizontal belts, providing much safer use. Auxiliary steel anchors are used to ensure load transfer between panels. At critical points, solid steel profiles are integrated into the system to prevent unsafe conditions during the use of the steel house.
Steel houses have become one of the most popular options in recent years, although they are not a new type of house. Steel houses, used in their current form since the 1980s, have been one of the most commonly used houses in Germany since the 1950s. In the United States, almost all wooden houses were replaced by steel houses starting in 1980. Considering these characteristics, it is clear that there are many factors and advantages that support the use of steel houses.
Why are Steel Houses Preferred?
Everyone wants their living spaces to be safe. Especially due to its geopolitical location, Europe is a region with a high earthquake risk, so the houses in this region must be absolutely resistant to earthquakes. Therefore, if you want to make a safe choice for your home, it is likely that you have come across steel houses during your research.
It should be noted that the factors considered during the construction of steel houses differ from those considered when designing concrete buildings. In addition, the materials used in the construction of steel houses show that they are much safer and more durable compared to other types of houses.
There are many different advantages that can be given as a response to the question of why steel houses are preferred. If your question is about which house is right for you, it is important to choose the production method that meets your needs when selecting the house. When choosing between different types of houses, wishes and needs should definitely be taken into account.
What are the Advantages of Steel Structures?
Living in a steel house is considered advantageous in many ways. It has become one of the most popular types of houses in recent years, surpassing traditional concrete buildings and being preferred by many people.
The advantages of using steel houses include:
- Although they are made of steel, these houses are one of the most preferred options for regions located in earthquake zones due to their lightweight structure. Comparing concrete structures with steel houses shows that the likelihood of collapse and property damage during an earthquake is significantly lower. The main cause of loss of life and property damage that can occur after an earthquake is the collapse of heavy buildings. To address this problem, lightweight materials are used during the construction of steel houses, but all materials used are of the highest quality and reliability.
- Steel houses help you have a safer home due to the high strength and flexibility of steel. To achieve the same strength, concrete structures require higher costs and excessive weight. This leads to a higher risk, which is why steel houses are frequently preferred due to their safety.
- The building elements used during the construction of steel houses are manufactured under factory conditions with standardized dimensions and values. These characteristics, which ensure that they behave as expected and predictably during an earthquake, result in a very low margin of error in static calculations. Concrete structures are not as homogeneous and isotropic as steel, so the margin of error in static calculations is higher. Checking the reinforcement after the concrete is poured is also more expensive and labor-intensive for concrete structures. All these factors show that concrete structures are not as safe as steel houses.
- Steel structures do not have columns or beams. This means that the walls are smooth and the usable space is significantly larger. The high strength of steel structures offers more freedom to the designer in creating larger spaces and provides the occupants with more usable space. In concrete structures, however, this often results in a loss of usable space.
- Steel structures are known to be completed in a shorter time compared to concrete structures. Thanks to the considerations to be taken into account when building a steel house, it is unlikely that undesirable conditions such as weather effects or long construction times will occur.
- Steel structures, produced with skilled craftsmanship, ensure a low margin of error and make it possible to avoid accidents during the construction of steel houses.
How Long Can Steel Houses Be Used?
Steel houses are one of the most frequently asked topics when it comes to how long these houses can be used. Contrary to popular belief, steel houses do not have a short lifespan. When properly constructed and regularly maintained, the lifespan of a steel house can reach up to 60 years.
The average lifespan of a steel house is 40 to 60 years, but it can be extended even further with regular maintenance. Therefore, the lifespan of your steel house is extended when it is built safely and regularly maintained.
There is a long list of considerations to be taken into account when building a steel house. For this reason, you should choose experienced and competent teams when choosing a steel house. Another frequently asked question by many people who want to live in a steel house is the cost of a steel house. Since the cost of building a steel house varies greatly depending on many factors, there is no single answer to this question. Steel houses, designed considering the size of the house, the factors to be considered, and the user's wishes, have varying price ranges.
Thanks to steel houses, which are preferred due to their durability and are among the most popular buildings in recent years, you can also enjoy a safe living environment. It is not wrong to say that these houses, preferred due to their larger space, are also resistant to natural disasters such as earthquakes.