ADVANTAGES OF LIGHT GAUGE STEEL CONSTRUCTION
Light gauge steel structures have many of the advantages of light wood framed structures:
- They are light, and allow quick building without heavy tools or equipment. Every component can easily be carried by hand – a house is like a carpentry job on a larger scale. The main tool is a light, handheld screw gun. Since steel is strong, LGS structures are lighter than wood framed structures of equivalent strength.
- Their higher strength allows greater spacing between members when compared to wood frame construction: about 24″ (600mm) for LGS vs. about 16″ or 20″ (400 or 500mm) for wood. Fewer members translates to quicker construction times.
- It is able to shape itself to any form, and can be clad and insulated with a wide range of materials.
- It is easy to change or modify this construction at any point in its lifespan.
- There are a great range of systems and products catering to this type of construction.
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In addition
Light gauge steel structures are non-combustible, which is a code requirement for some types of structures. Since steel loses its strength in fire quite easily, it must be protected from fire with fire rated sheeting.
Light gauge steel structures do not rot, shrink, warp, or decompose like wood structures, and can be used in areas where there is a probability of termite attack.