The application of steel structure in residential buildings

Due to its superior performance and affordability, steel has been widely used in the construction industry. The rapid growth of the steel industry has led to a significant development in steel residential buildings. There are more and more steel housing buildings constructed around the world over the past few decades. This writing shall analyze the application of steel structures in steel housing. 

1. An overview of steel structures

Steel structures are a type of building that use steel as the main material for support and framing. Steel buildings have become more and more popular due to a number of advantages such as strength, durability, flexibility, and so on.

First of all, steel structures are strong and durable, so they are suitable for constructions that require large spaces like warehouses, factories, and so on. Besides, their ability to resist fire, seismic force, etc means that they can provide a high level of safety and security. Steel material is also flexible, making it easy to be shaped into configurations that meet the demand of building owners.  

On top of that, steel construction time is shorter and costs are lower compared to that of other buildings. Steel is also considered a sustainable material, which is completely suitable for the trend of sustainability in the construction field. 

2. Application of steel structures in residential buildings

Thanks to its various benefits, nowadays, steel structures are commonly used in building not only business facilities but also residential buildings. This part shall explore how they applied to this type of construction by focusing on some most common applications.

2.1 Eco House

Eco house (environmentally-friendly house or green home) is a type of residential building designed with sustainability in mind. The goal of an eco-house is to minimize its impact on the environment by reducing energy consumption, conserving natural resources, and promoting a healthy living environment.

Steel structures are often used in the construction of eco houses because of their nature of sustainability, durability, and energy efficiency. Steel structures can be used to create an energy-efficient design by using passive solar heating and cooling, insulation, and efficient lighting and appliances. They can also incorporate renewable energy sources to generate electricity and heat water and water-saving features, such as low-flow toilets and showerheads, rainwater harvesting systems, and drought-resistant landscaping.

Steel structures can promote a healthy living environment by using non-toxic building materials, proper ventilation, and air filtration systems. They can also be designed to minimize waste. Overall, steel structures can be a sustainable and responsible choice for the construction of eco houses. 

2.2 Fully furnished house

A fully furnished house is a home that already has all the furniture, appliances, and things that the owner can live comfortably without buying or bringing items of furniture on their own. This type of housing is often rented for short periods by travelers or people moving to a new place and needing a temporary place to stay while looking for a permanent home. An example of a fully furnished house is The Villa Saigon which is located in Ho Chi Minh City and is available for short-term rentals. The house features a modern and luxurious design with high-end finishes and furnishings and appliances, including a kitchen, dining area, living room, bedrooms, and bathrooms.

Steel structures can be used to build fully furnished houses because they are strong and durable, and can bear loads of all the furniture and appliances. Steel framing provides a strong and durable frame that can support heavy loads and resist seismic force. Steel flooring frameworks are strong and long-lasting establishments where you'll be able effectively introduce tile, wood, or carpet. The staircases and balconies made with steel bases provide a strong and safe platform for the owner's activities. Finally, steel material can be used in creating modern and industrial aesthetic architectural features, which makes the building more attractive.

2.3 The Nest Home

The Nest Home is a smart home designed by Google aiming at energy-efficient and environmentally sustainable. The Nest Home includes smart devices like thermostats, cameras, and voice assistants, which let homeowners control their home's energy usage and security from afar.

The steel structure makes the Nest Home strong and steady and sometimes makes the building more attractive. Steel structures can be equipped with sensors that monitor the structural integrity which can detect changes in temperature, humidity, and movement, providing early warning of potential structural issues. The data from these sensors can be integrated with the smart home system, allowing homeowners to monitor the health of their homes in real time. They can also be fitted with smart and automatic systems (lighting, heating and cooling, security, etc.) and appliances (refrigerators, ovens, washing machines, etc.).

Above is some information regarding the application of steel structures in residential buildings. Hopefully, this article has provided you with useful information. Visit BMB Steel’s website to read more about pre-engineered steel buildings and steel structures. You can also contact us for design consulting and steel production services.