Steel has been around for centuries, and its usage in construction has changed in many ways. One of the first major uses of steel in construction was for train stations. People saw the benefits of using it as a structural material, so its usage was expanded. From then, designing structures — such as churches, buildings, etc. — included the use of steel.
Steel has proven that it is not only a strong structural material, but also a versatile material that can be used to create aesthetic structures. Nowadays, steel building designs are being built around the globe.
Uses of Steel in Structures
As mentioned, steel can be used not just for the purpose of having strong structures. Some ways of using it to bring aesthetic benefits are the following:
Roofs and Walls
Because steel is a versatile material, using it as a roof could be a great option. Roofs can be coated in any color of your choice, and they can also be fabricated to resemble shakes or shingles.
If you would like to reduce monthly energy costs, steel is a viable option as well. Metal fabricators can use special types of finishes with infrared additives or other coating types to reflect sunlight. Through the use of those coatings, heat energy can be re-emitted as light.
Wall panels made up of steel are now widely used. You can have them painted in any color that you like. Installing pre-engineered exteriors on wall panels can give it a finish that looks like wood, concrete, stones, bricks, etc.
Windows, Skylights, and Doors
Using steel for windows, skylights, doors, downspouts, gutters, and vents can also lead to an aesthetic design. Plus, it can also improve the ambiance inside a structure, so it is like hitting two birds with one stone.
For example, steel frame windows and doors can promote natural lighting inside a structure. During the daytime, less energy consumption can be expected since light from the sun will be able to pass through that type of door or window. The use of skylights also yields the same benefits.
Because steel can be shaped into various forms for style, using it for downspout and gutters can give unique accents to roofs. The same goes with using exterior vents.
Other Design Options
There are still many ways wherein steel can be used to bring aesthetics and strength. The ones above are just some of them. Some of the other ways not mentioned are common and can be easily seen in different places. Examples include arches and columns.
Famous Steel Structures
Steel is indeed a versatile structural material that has made great contributions in the history of construction. To serve as proof that the use of steel produces exceptional designs, here are some steel buildings and structures to look up:
- Empire State Building in New York
- Burj Khalifa in Dubai
- Chrysler Building in New York
- U.S. Steel Tower in Pittsburgh
- Beijing National Stadium in Beijing
- The Steel House in Texas
- Willis Tower in Chicago
- Eiffel Tower in Paris
Design Considerations
During the design and construction process of steel buildings, there are some essential things that have to be considered. One of which is trade coordination — this is within the scope of a construction manager’s job.
Trade coordination includes communicating and working with architects, engineers, suppliers, fabricators, metal building contractors, subcontractors, and other people involved in a construction project. Through trade coordination, design flaws can be caught, and potential issues can be foreseen. This, in turn, leads to great execution of metal building designs.
Flawless Steel Welding Can Help You Create Beautiful Steel Structures
In line with our vision of satisfying clients with their structural steel needs, Flawless Steel Welding provides steel services to help create structurally sound and aesthetic steel structures. Some of the services we provide are steel erection services, welding services, and crane services.
We also provide dynamic metal fabrication in Colorado. For inquiries or questions, call us at (720) 638-7289 or send us an email at [email protected].
