Steel Homes: Options, Considerations and More
In recent years, the popularity of steel homes has increased in Canada, with more and more people discovering the benefits of these durable, affordable, and eco-friendly living spaces. Steel homes offer multiple options so that there is something for every type of homeowner. In this article, we’ll explore what steel homes are, their types, advantages, costs, and frequently asked questions.
What Is a Steel Home?
A steel home is a residential building constructed primarily using steel components for its structure and support. This type of construction is often referred to as barndominiums in Canada. Steel homes can come in various shapes and sizes, often featuring a steel frame with cladding. The interior of these homes is fully customizable, allowing buyers to tailor the space to their specific needs and preferences.
The main components of a steel home include the steel frame, exterior cladding, insulation, and interior finishing. Steel homes are built with a focus on durability, energy efficiency, and sustainability, using materials resistant to weather, moisture, and pests.
Steel Home Types
Now that we’ve understood what steel homes are, let’s go through the available types. All steel homes are made up of metal frames, but they have different designs and purposes. These are the leading steel home types:
Steel-Framed Houses
Steel-framed houses (aka Barndominiums) feature a steel skeleton that provides structural support for the home. This frame is wrapped with metal or other materials, including wood, brick, or stone. Steel-framed houses can be designed to look like traditional homes, offering a familiar aesthetic with added durability and strength.
Steel buildings are generally more durable, resistant to moisture and pests, and require less maintenance than their wood-framed counterparts. Steel frames a solid insulation which is why there is no leakage or loss of energy; thus, they are more energy-efficient too.
Metal Container Homes
Metal container homes are built using repurposed shipping containers converted into living spaces. These homes are popular because of their versatility, flexibility, and excellent use of space.
Shipping containers come in standard sizes, making creating a modular design for your new home easy. And this helps the homeowner build a space-efficient house that is easy to expand according to the layout.
Steel Building Kits
Canadian made steel building kits provide an option for those who prefer a DIY approach to home construction. These kits include all the necessary components to erect a steel home, allowing homeowners to save on labor costs and complete the project at their own pace.
A Steel building kit can be more cost-effective than other steel homes, as it eliminates the need for hiring a contractor, and one can assemble it relatively quickly.
Steel Home Advantages
There are several advantages of steel homes as compared to traditional homes. Let’s have a look at them:
Long-Lasting
Metal buildings are built to withstand extreme weather conditions, including high winds and heavy snow loads. That makes them ideal for those living in areas with harsh climates.
Steel homes require less maintenance than traditional homes, as they are resistant to moisture, pests, and rot. That means that the homeowners will have to spend less on maintenance.
Affordable
Steel homes are more affordable if we compare steel homes’ per sq ft cost to traditional dwellings. Since they are also energy efficient, they help reduce utility bills and prove more cost-efficient in the long run.
Besides that, steel homes are designed with insulation and energy efficiency in mind, resulting in lower heating and cooling costs for homeowners.
Eco-Friendly
Steel is a recyclable material, making it a more sustainable choice for home construction. The metal home construction process also produces less waste and keeps the construction site debris-free.
Steel homes’ modular and prefab nature leads to a more efficient construction process, reducing waste and minimizing the environmental impact of building a new home.
Weather-Resistant
Steel homes are sturdy and durable and can easily withstand extreme weather conditions. Be it rain, snow, or winds, these homes stand unaffected. This attribute makes them a good option for people living in areas prone to natural calamities like earthquakes and tsunamis.
These homes offer a higher level of protection from natural disasters such as earthquakes and hurricanes compared to traditional wood-framed homes.
Moisture and Pest-Free
Steel homes are resistant to moisture, mold, and insects, which can cause damage to traditional homes and negatively impact indoor air quality.
Steel homes’ moisture and pest-resistant nature can lead to better indoor air quality, creating a healthier living environment for homeowners.
Cost of Building a Steel Home
The cost of building a steel home depends on various factors. For instance, the size of the steel home, design complexity, quality of the materials, and the location of the steel home you are building.
While steel homes can be more affordable on a cost-per-square-foot basis, comparing the overall costs of building a steel home to those of traditional home construction is essential. Factors such as land costs, permitting fees, and finishing costs should be taken into account when making this comparison.
FAQs
1. How customizable are steel homes?
Steel homes are fully customizable, which helps homeowners to build a house according to their preferences. As a homeowner, you can customize the floor plans and exterior finishes according to your taste.
2. Are steel homes suitable for areas where there are snow loads and high winds?
Yes, steel homes are very durable and sturdy, and weather resistant. They can easily withstand snow loads and high winds. So, if you live in an area with harsh weather, these homes are a good option.
3. Are metal building homes energy efficient?
Metal building homes are often more energy-efficient than traditional homes due to their superior insulation and reduced air leakage.
4. How long does it take to build a steel home?
The time it takes to build a steel home can vary depending on factors such as the type of steel home that one is building, the complexity of the design, and the construction method used. However, steel homes are generally quicker to build than traditional homes.
Wrap Up!
Steel homes offer a durable, affordable, and eco-friendly alternative to traditional home construction. With various types to choose from, including steel-framed houses, metal container homes, and steel home kits, there is a steel home option for every taste and budget.
If you’re considering building a new home, it’s worth exploring the advantages of steel homes to create a long-lasting, energy-efficient, and customizable living space.