Photo Credits: FRAMECAD
In recent years, the U.S. residential construction industry has faced numerous supply chain disruptions caused by the pandemic and complications related to the current skilled labor shortages. Rising prices and production delays have also impacted construction.
However, the inclusion of cold-formed steel (CFS) framing on more construction projects has helped mitigate supply chain problems and even helped stabilize the construction supply chain.
“By incorporating cold formed steel (CFS) into construction projects, the value chain can be enhanced, offering a steady supply, accelerated timelines and design flexibility,” says the article “Optimizing US Residential Construction Supply Chain with Steel Framing” posted on blog.framecad.com. “These advantages contribute to a streamlined, efficient and cost-effective construction process that benefits all stakeholders involved.”
Steel framing enhances the supply chain by offering a steady supply, accelerated timelines and design flexibility.
Steel Framing Enhances the Supply Chain
The steel framing supply chain plays a vital role in ensuring the availability of high-quality materials for construction. It involves multiple stages ranging from raw materials extraction to the delivery of building components to construction sites. All stages focus on quality control, efficiency and sustainability.
According to SFIA member FRAMECAD, steel framing can enhance the construction supply chain in five ways:
1. Better Consistency and Quality Control
CFS framing members are manufactured in controlled environments, reducing the impact of external factors like weather and transportation disruptions. The components are manufactured to precise specifications, ensuring consistency and quality. This reduces the need for extensive on-site modifications and can lead to more predictable construction timelines and costs.
2. Reduced Dependency on Logging Regulations and Limitations
Steel is widely recognized as the most recycled material on the planet. It can be reused and recycled, reducing the demand for raw materials and decreasing the environmental impact. Traditional construction materials may face delays in supply due to environmental regulations, logging limitations and unexpected market changes. As a manufactured material, steel is less reliant on such regulatory factors, providing a more stable supply chain.
3. Improved Efficiency with Prefabrication
CFS framing can be prefabricated and assembled onsite, reducing the need for labor on the jobsite and minimizing the impact of worker shortages. Prefabricated steel framing components are easy to install. They can significantly speed up the construction process and reduce the reliance on a complex and fragile onsite supply chain. The result? A more structured and controlled construction process.
Steel framing can speed up the construction process and reduce the reliance on a complex and fragile onsite supply chain.
Why Cold-Formed Steel for Prefabrication?
- Site Impact – Fewer onsite materials reduce congestion and injury potential while improving traffic flow
- Safety – Construction staff stand at floor level instead of working above their heads on ladders
- Improved Design – Virtual Design and Construction models all aspects of the building components. This enables innovation, improves quality, reduces errors and neutralizes escalation costs
- Speed to Market – Prefabricated building components advances supply chain deliverables and accelerates early revenue
- Cost Control – Prefabricated building process identifies cost commitments early on in the process thanks to proven predictability of outcomes. This increases the likelihood each project to meet budget
- Offset Worker Shortage – Prefabrication enables greater production offsite, reducing the need to increase labor
- Collaboration – Designers, contractors, trade partners and engineers all work together toward a unified goal and plan
4. Added Design Flexibility, Reduced Waste
CFS framing systems are highly versatile and can accommodate a wide range of architectural designs. This flexibility allows for more efficient use of materials, resulting in less jobsite waste compared to traditional construction methods where cutting and fitting materials on-site can lead to significant scrap. This speeds up construction, reduces costs and minimizes the environmental impact of projects.
5. Less Strain on Workers, Fewer Workers Required on Site
Steel framing is often lighter and easier to handle than traditional materials, placing less strain and stress on construction workers. Additionally, steel does not require special treatment for moisture, pests or decay during transit, simplifying the logistics process. The reduced demand for labor can help alleviate supply chain pressures related to labor shortages or labor skill gaps.
Steel framing is lighter and easier to handle than traditional materials, placing less strain and stress on construction workers.
Steel, a ‘Powerful Tool’
As developers and homebuilders navigate the complex landscape of the residential construction industry, the adoption of CFS framing emerges as a “powerful tool to take control of the supply chain,” says FRAMECAD.
“By integrating cold formed steel framing into US residential construction projects,” the company says, “not only are developers addressing the challenges that have plagued the supply chain, but they are also actively contributing to the development of a more sustainable and resilient construction industry.”
Additional Resources
- Builders Embrace Steel Framing for Offsite Construction
- Again, Who Says It Is More Sustainable to Build With Wood Than Steel?
- Steel Framing System Cuts Construction of 90-Unit Apartment Building by 75%