Problems With Steel Framed Houses
Steel framed buildings are commonly associated with industrial buildings and farm structures. Many warehouses utilise steel frames because they’re quick to assemble, strong and durable. However, steel frames are becoming more popular in the housing industry, but there are several limitations to steel frames in housing construction. In this article, we take a look at the issues associated with using steel frames for housing.
Insulation
As the price of energy continues to increase and there is a critical focus on developing more energy-efficient solutions, poor insulation is a major concern. Poor insulation is a significant drawback of steel framed houses; this results in low energy efficiency ratings. However, there are ways to improve insulation in steel frame housing; this includes adding insulation boards around the steel frames and external cladding. An insulation expert will be able to advise on ways to improve the amount of heat retained in a steel property.
Insurance
Some insurance companies won’t insure steel frame houses. This can be an issue for homeowners wanting to sell their property or people looking to buy steel framed houses. You may need to get specialist insurance to cover the unexpected maintenance costs that could come with owning a steel framed house.
Mortgage lenders
Mortgage lenders see steel framed houses as a non-standard construction. This classification means fewer lenders will be able to offer a mortgage on a steel framed building. Their main concerns are the ability to resell and the homeowner's capability to keep up with the maintenance and associated costs. It can also cost more in interest rates, and you may need a larger deposit to get a mortgage on a steel framed house.
Rust
Steel frames are very strong, but when they’re exposed to the right conditions, the metal can rust and become fragile. A small leak can lead to rust and corrosion over time without the proper precautions. The cost of repairing a deteriorated steel frame building is high, which is why many mortgage providers won’t offer a mortgage on this kind of property.
Maintenance
Steel buildings are harder to maintain than standard building construction; this can put off some buyers when viewing properties. To prevent rust, homeowners should check steel framed buildings regularly, and any signs of rust should be dealt with before the issue gets larger. The metal needs to be ground back to remove the rust, and the area should then be coated with specialised paints and barriers that minimise the likelihood of rust forming again. Some steel homeowners may be able to do this themselves, whereas others may need professional help to ensure the house is correctly maintained.
Cost of installation
Steel buildings are more costly compared to wooden house frames. This is because the workers need specialist equipment to install the steel frames. This increases the cost and often makes wood frames a better option for residential housing.
Limitations in design
There are some design limitations when working with steel frames. The houses can’t have high-pitched roofs or dormer windows within the roof structure. This can prevent people with steel framed houses from making use of their roof space. There are ways around this issue, like adding a wooden frame in as well, but this will be much more expensive compared to converting a conventional wooden framed loft into another room.
Despite this list of disadvantages, there are some reasons why people are continuing to produce steel-framed housing. Steel framed houses can have large open plan areas that are very popular without needing to have support columns in rooms that could look unsightly. They’re very quick to assemble, fire resistant, resistant to mould and fungus and have lots of design flexibility in other ways.
Take a look at all of the advantages and disadvantages before coming to a decision on whether you want to buy the property. If you’re looking at properties and come across a steel framed building you like, don’t immediately discount it as an option. If you have the knowledge and experience to look around for different mortgage deals and secure good home insurance, the property could work really well for your needs. However, if you’re unsure and don’t want to take the risk, opt for a standard-build property instead.
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