Cold Formed Steel Buildings
What Is a Cold-Formed Metal Building?
Cold-formed steel is made from relatively thin sheets of steel that are shaped into different parts of a building. The steel is formed at room temperature, which is where the term “cold-formed” comes from.
These steel pieces are lightweight and can be manufactured to fit a specific building design. Because the components are lighter and easier to handle, they can often be installed quickly with less heavy equipment.
Cold-formed steel is commonly used for projects such as:
- Smaller commercial buildings
- Retail buildings
- Garages and workshops
- Residential structures
- Storage buildings
- Some low- and mid-rise buildings
Cold-Formed vs. Red-Iron Metal Buildings: What’s the Difference?
If you’re planning a new building, you may have heard the terms cold-formed steel and red-iron steel. But what do they actually mean, and how do you know which type of building is right for your project?
Both options can provide a strong, durable, and efficient building. The main differences come down to how the steel is made, how much weight it can support, the size of the building, and the type of space you need.
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Why Cold Formed?
Cold-formed steel can be a practical choice when you need an efficient structure without the heavy steel components required for a large industrial building.
- Spend less on foundation.
- Spend less on construction equipment.
- Save time and money on maintenance over the long term.
- Greater protection from fire, termites, and mold.
- Engineered to local wind and snow loads in the US.
So, Which Type Is Right for My Project?
There isn’t one steel building system that’s right for every project. If you’re building a smaller structure and want a lightweight, efficient solution, cold-formed steel may be worth considering. If you’re planning a large building that needs substantial structural capacity, long spans, or a large open interior, structural steel may be more appropriate. The most important factors to consider are your building’s size, intended use, required interior space, local building codes, site conditions, loads, budget, and timeline. We’ll help determine which system meets the requirements of your specific project. Start by using the FREE ONLINE COLD-FORMED BUILIDING DESIGNER and we’ll provide an estimate. Questions? Call us at 406-240-2508.