In fact, if the Sears Tower was built today, it could be erected with 35 percent less steel than when it went up in 1974. Steel products last a long time. Major appliances, for instance, typically have a long life, thanks in large part to steel. That's because steel comprises around 75 percent of all major appliances, including the motors that keep them running for years. The average refrigerator, for example, lasts more than 21 years.
Steel plays an important long-lasting role in roofing as well.
With steel's durability, steel roofs can last up to 50 years, while traditional asphalt roofs last only around 17 years. Click on our Environment section to find out.