Before modern engineering came into being, there were only thatch, Adobe, and wood dwellings. From then, we have come a long way. Today cities have skyscraper buildings made of steel and concrete. However, which material reigns supreme amongst the two? Concrete or steel?
Concrete and steel both have their benefits and downfalls. It would depend on your needs and requirements which building material you want to go ahead with.
Concrete vs. steel
- Concrete does not need any additional fireproofing treatment to meet the fire codes. It can perform well under both man-made as well as natural disasters. Due to concrete’s inherent heaviness, strength, and mass, buildings constructed with concrete can resist winds that are over 200 miles an hour.
- Steel needs passive Fire Protection options like spray-on fireproofing. However, with passive fire protection, steel can sustain higher temperatures providing additional safety.
- Concrete is most often available in almost all locations, whether for small companies, contractors, or builders. Since concrete is being used in every building sector, concrete is available regionally and is stably priced. Steel is also equally available as concrete.
- The buildings that have used concrete can take any shape. Concrete allows for the addition of unique aesthetics to the building. Steel with its highest strength-to-weight ratio has become a popular choice for multifamily and office developers.
- Concrete is locally sourced and requires minimal energy for transportation. Later, concrete can be crushed and recycled, but the recycled material cannot be used for building new concrete. Steel is made from scrap steel full strap; therefore, it is much more recyclable.
To get further insight into the topic, check out SteelTech Building USA. They are a metal building contractor based in Florida. They are experts in designing metal homes, architectural buildings, warehouses, sheds, workshops, etc