Consumers value steel framing for fire safety and termite protection. Steel framing doesn't contribute combustible material to feed a fire. The strength and ductility of steel allow it to meet the strongest wind and seismic ratings in the national building codes. Steel joists and trusses can also achieve greater spans, to open up large spaces inside a home without partition walls. Most steel manufactured today contains an average of 25 percent recycled content.
Steel takes the pressure off of renewable resources and saves valuable landfill space.
Unfortunately, most consumers just aren't aware of all the great benefits steel has to offer. When it comes to amenities, homebuyers tend to choose a family room, spa or a three-car garage. What's hidden in the walls doesn't have much perceived value until there's a fire, termite damage, nail pops or crooked walls. . . . While steel framing material costs are now competitive with lumber, the labor and engineering costs tend to be higher. A lack of skilled framing labor makes it difficult to find competitive steel carpenters.