The dominance of steel in the multi-storey commercial buildings sector isn’t down to a design trend or word-of-mouth; it is based upon real benefits, such as the ability to provide open-plan floor spaces free from columns and integrated building services. The majority of multi-storey buildings are constructed in inner city areas and it is the speed of construction and the minimal storage of on-site building materials offered by steel framed buildings, which help to account for its continued popularity.

Structural steel creates flexible spaces

City centres in particular call for high quality, flexible office spaces. Whether used for open-plan offices and buildings for banking or shopping centres, buildings which provide high environmental architectural standards are in exceptional demand.

A wide range of solutions are possible when steel is used to construct multi-storey buildings. Building large commercial building calls for a two-stage construction process, with the tenant responsible for fit-out and installation of fixtures. This means that the structure of the building itself has to be sufficiently adaptable to cope. Concern for the environment continues to be an incredibly important consideration for architects and construction companies alike; thanks to the higher proportion of renewable energy technologies which can now be integrated into steel framed buildings, almost anything is possible.

Economic benefits of steel construction in multi-storey buildings

Using steel in construction has the potential to reduce construction times by up to 30%, resulting in considerable cost savings. Site management costs are also reduced thanks to the reduction in construction times whilst long span steel construction provides highly flexible spaces, offering long-term flexibility, helping to minimise the loss of future rental income.

Thanks to off-site fabrication, quality is improved because prefabricated components are manufactured in factory-controlled conditions. This means that projects are less dependent on on-site trades or external factors such as unpredictable weather conditions, helping to keep construction times and costs to a minimum.

When it comes to quality, safety, sustainability and value, structural steel is pretty hard to beat. If you would like to find out more, why not contact us today for further information?