Manufacturers typically produce steel from refined iron. On various counts, steel has emerged as the material of choice in various industries. In particular, the construction sector ends up using huge quantities of steel in building structures of all kinds. Steel has long been a popular material for a wide range of projects. You could use it for making your stairs. Similarly, you could consider using it in the frames of your horizontal bi-fold doors and windows. Or, you could even use steel during the formation of the framework of a building.
In its purest form, steel possesses immense strength. Some builders opine that steel is as much as 1,000 times stronger than iron, when in its purest form. This makes it particularly suitable for building all kinds of residential and domestic structures. The steel industry is also the second largest industry in the world, after the oil and gas sector. This is primarily because steel comes into use for a diverse range of purposes. As mentioned previously, steel is fast becoming the material of choice for builders across the country. Estimates suggest that the housing and construction industry consumes approximately half of all the steel produced globally. In addition, approximately 75 percent of all major home appliances feature steel.
It is worth highlighting that there are more than 3,500 grades of steel, with each grade possessing its own unique physical and chemical properties. This plethora of grades makes it a highly versatile material. In fact, stainless steel came into vogue primarily because it is the most corrosion-resistant type of steel the world over at present. In terms of environment-friendliness, steel is cheaper and easier to recycle. It will require lesser time and money as opposed to mining new iron ore. Steel is also one of the few metals that you can recycle without having to worry that the recycled steel will offer lower levels of solidity and robustness. All these properties highlight the immense value and versatility that steel offers.
When it comes to staircases, many homeowners often find themselves having to choose between steel and concrete staircases. Some people think that merely comparing the prices of steel and concrete structures is sufficient for arriving at a decision. But, the choice is seldom so easy to make. The cost for the staircase will undoubtedly need to fit into your budget. But, you will also need to consider other factors such as the finish, the quality, the accuracy, the cladding and the balustrade as well.
Interior designers will seldom think of anything else other than the layout when they consider concrete stairs. These stairs are quite common when used to access the cellars or the basement. But, they can look a little awkward when used in your main living areas. In contrast, steel staircases will usually be strong but lightweight. They will enable you to increase the flow of light too. For instance, you could opt for steel stairs with open treads. But, achieving a similar result with concrete could well be impossible.
Liquid concrete typically depends on various factors. These could include the temperature, the builder’s experience, the mix and the consistency of the mix. These factors make it hard to cast concrete structures with predictable levels of accuracy. In contrast, manufacturers seldom break into a sweat when they create steel structures. This is because they employ designing and manufacturing methods to precision for producing the steel that they will use in the structure.
Concrete staircases will invariably require plastering or painting. On occasions, they might require stringers for covering the rough concrete. With steel stairways, you can opt for stylish and elegant stringers that complement the look of the staircase. Builders often spend a lot of time in shuttering and reinforcing concrete, before they can cast a stair. On the other hand, fabricating a steel structure will not be as labour-intensive or time-consuming. Moreover, cladding a steel structure is much easier and safer than cladding a concrete one.