For centuries, metals have been used in construction; however, the recent decades saw the emergence of structures made mostly of metals. The idea of constructing houses, horizontal structures, and commercial buildings using just metals never crossed the minds of builders until the late 90s.
With the advancement of technologies, more ways have been discovered to improve the strength, thermal capacity, and corrosion resistance of metals. Also, Metal Supply Houston has been consistent and dependable. There are many metal properties that industries are only starting to understand. As there are more methods to explore them, it will eventually be possible to produce metals that can overcome any challenges in construction.
Keep reading to learn more about the use of metals in constructing houses:
What Makes Builders Skeptical of Metal’s Performance
There are many reasons some builders don’t use metals in structures. They include:
- Low compression strength. Metals have low compression strength. Putting too much weight on metals would cause them to fold or buckle. This is the reasons metals and concrete go together to form reinforced concrete as concrete has low tensile strength. Either metal or concrete cannot subsist dynamic or static forces at work in any type of structure.
- Susceptibility to corrosion. When metals are exposed to elements, they can corrode. In fact, most abundant metals are usually the most susceptible to corrosion which will eventually result in deterioration.
- High thermal conductivity. Metals tend to heat up faster than concrete, stone, ceramic, and other kinds of construction materials. And most builders won’t want to worry about heat conduction.
Metals Commonly Used in Constructing Homes
Despite the drawbacks of metals, they still play an important role in fortifying structures and in ensuring aesthetics. Whether or not construction uses them the main material, they complete the structure as are used as support within columns and beams or surface coverings or trims. Below are the common building components and accessories that must be metal:
- Roofing. Contemporary buildings have metals as the main material or as components. The gutter, base angle, and ridge cap should be metal.
- Bracing. This element is made of cables and rods meant to add stability to a structure or parts of it.
- Framing. It includes rafters and columns as well as purlins, eave struts, and girts.
- Walls. A number of buildings today have walls with metal panels coated with protection to prevent corrosion.
- Door and window framing. Installing a metal frame is important to ensure the door and window panels fit securely along the wall opening’s edge.
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