Cold-formed steel (CFS) continues to gain popularity in both the residential and commercial framing markets. Howick, a manufacturer of roll-forming equipment for light-gauge steel framing structures and an SFIA member, has developed a series of videos that summarizes the benefits of CFS. The 13 animated whiteboard videos, “Why Build with Light Gauge Steel,” provide foundational knowledge of CFS in five areas: resiliency, cost savings, sustainability, labor efficiency and prefabricated construction.
1. Resiliency
With the increasing awareness of resilience and its importance to the built environment, no building material better exemplifies resiliency than CFS framing.
Better Building Performance/Resilience
Additional Resources
- 5 Reasons CFS Contributes to Building Resiliency
- Steel Framing Mitigates Fire Risks, Reduces Insurance Costs and Improves Building Resilience
2. Cost Savings
CFS framing offers numerous benefits that can reduce overall construction costs, from a decrease in waste to discounts on builders risk insurance.
Higher Return on Investment
Dimensional Accuracy
Less Waste
Additional Resources
- eBook, “Building Within Budget: Ideas for Shaving Months and Dollars Off Your Next Construction Project
- The True Cost of Cold-Formed Steel v. Wood Framing
3. Sustainability
Every piece of CFS framing contains recycled content and meets the highest sustainability requirements of all major green building standards and rating programs.
Environmentally Friendly
Lower Environmental Impact
Additional Resources
- Truth vs Hype? Comparing the EPDs of Steel, Concrete and Wood
- Experts Discuss ‘Immense Value’ of Sustainable Steel Construction
4. Labor Efficiency
CFS framing is labor-efficient due to its precision and consistency, which reduces on-site adjustments and installation time.
Material Efficiency
Easier to Handle
Lightweight
Labor Efficient
Additional Resources
- 9 Ways Construction Firms Are Dealing with the Labor Shortage
- 5 Ways Steel Framing Optimizes the Construction Supply Chain
5. Prefabricated Construction
CFS is the ideal choice for prefabricated construction because it is lightweight, easy to handle, and can be cut to precise specifications.
Accurate/Precise
Reduce Waste with Offsite Modular Construction
Faster Construction
Additional Resources
- Steel at Forefront of Rise in Prefabricated Construction to Meet Housing Demand
- Builders Embrace Steel Framing for Offsite Construction
Free Project Assistance
Need support for a new or existing project in the U.S. and Canada? Use BuildSteel’s free project assistance for CFS framing:
- Convert from wood framing, masonry or concrete to steel
- National network of contractors, suppliers and manufacturers
- Industry experts with decades of knowledge on CFS
- Central source for consultation on code-compliant design
Simply fill out our project assistance form. BuildSteel will provide you with an expert based on the needs of your project.