Prefab steel buildings are an affordable way to build warehouses, factories, schools, office buildings, barns, restaurants, and other buildings. Steel buildings can have many different appearances. For example, the exterior can be covered with brick, PBR siding, stucco, wood, or other materials. On the other hand, brick-and-mortar or concrete block (CMU) buildings require more maintenance. And they are not as strong and durable as steel buildings.
This chapter will present a comparison of steel buildings with brick-and-mortar buildings and concrete block buildings.
Table of Contents
Brief History of Brick and Masonry Buildings
Years later, bricks were used to construct houses and buildings. These building materials constructed many well-known buildings. For example, the Colosseum in Rome, the Taj Mahal, and the Pyramids of Giza.
Initially, heat from the sun was needed to make bricks. People mixed dirt, clay, straw, or dung together and then baked the mixture in the sun. Finally, they cut out brick shapes or used simple molds to make bricks. However, around 3500 B.C., people began firing bricks in kilns. This allowed bricks to be used in cold places and spread the art of brickmaking throughout the ancient world.
Later builders constructed buildings with hollow walls to keep water out. A hollow wall consists of at least two thick bricks with a gap of about two inches between them. This allowed any water that passed through the first layer of bricks to drain out. This is where the brick void design came from and the opportunity for the development of concrete masonry units (CMUs).
Early brick manufacturing required taking clay from the ground and using fossil fuels to power the kiln. This released large amounts of greenhouse gases and harmed the land and natural resources. This prompted the brickmaking industry to move to more environmentally friendly ways of making bricks, such as using natural gas and sawdust.
Today, cement, sand, gravel, or lightweight aggregates are used to make bricks. In addition, manufacturers use higher temperatures (2000 degrees Fahrenheit) to make bricks stronger and more durable. Improvements in manufacturing techniques have made bricks fire, earthquake, and noise-resistant.
Brief History of Structural Steel Buildings
Prefabricated steel buildings consist primarily of primary and secondary steel components. These components are custom-designed and bolted together on-site.
In the late 1800s, inventor Sidney Thomas came up with a way to remove phosphorus from steel, resulting in better performance and lower cost. This was the beginning of modern steel construction. The ten-story Rand McNally Building in Chicago was the first building to have a frame made only of steel. As companies continued to advance in production and technology, it allowed the strength of steel buildings to increase.
Today, choosing a high-quality steel building product like Xinguangzheng can help you save money on construction, energy, repairs, and maintenance. Prefabricated steel buildings offer architects and builders a vast array of options. As a result, they can design the exterior and interior of a building to look great.
Learn more: Steel Structure Introduction
Concrete Blocks Or Concrete Masonry Units (CMU)
Concrete blocks were first introduced in 1830. However, it wasn’t until the mid-20th century that concrete blocks began to be used in large quantities in the United States. Concrete blocks are made from materials such as cement, quartz stone, and water. Their shape can remain the same for decades.
In addition, solid or hollow blocks come in different sizes. And they usually have two or three voids or cores that make them easier to move. To make the wall stronger, builders can also fill the holes with grout or concrete.
Comparison of Structural Properties
Which building materials are best usually depends on their cost. The load resistance of the structure, the size of the building, and the purpose of the building also need to be considered.
Thankfully, the building materials industry has matured and standardized. As a result quality control procedures have been applied to structural grade materials. Inspection and testing must be conducted in a manner consistent with national standards and scientific test methods. 2021 IBC Chapter 17 sets forth standards for quality, workmanship, construction materials, and assembly.
Learn more: What Is Structural Loading Capacity?
Density of Building Materials
The density of a building material depends on its density (kg/m3 or lb/ft3 ). Density includes the strength, thermal, and electrical conductivity of the material. The higher the density, the more compact the material. Therefore, the higher the density, the stronger the material will be against external forces. On the other hand, since density reduces the flow of heat, thermal conductivity is also reduced.
- Steel: 490 lb/ft3, (7850 kg/m3)
- Brick: 100-112 lb/ft3, (1600-1800 kg/m3)
- Concrete Block: 85-140 lb/ft3 (1361- 2243 kg/m3)
Compressive Strength
In construction, the compressive strength of a material is its ability to hold up under pressure and compression (load bearing). Areas prone to earthquakes or extreme climates often require higher compressive strengths.
- Steel: 50,000 psi (345 MPa)
- Brick: 1,000-2,000 psi (7-14 MPa)
- Concrete Block: 2,489 psi (175 MPa)
Tensile Strength
When you stretch something, the amount it can stretch before it breaks is called tensile strength. When this force is applied to something like a beam, it causes the bottom of the beam to arch and stretch. Therefore, the higher the tensile strength, the better the material.
- Steel: 50,000 psi (350 MPa)
- Brick: 1,000-2,000 psi (0.35-2.1 MPa)
- Concrete Block: 300-700 psi (2-5 MPa)
Construction Process and Cost Comparisons
A very important part of the fabrication process is comparing the prices of different building materials such as the shell. This ensures that they meet the project’s needs for style, function, and budget. When comparing the cost of exterior shells, you should consider the cost of the concrete foundation as well as the materials and construction. First, let’s compare the prices of concrete block, brick, and precast steel homes.
Prefab Steel Structures
When there are problems in the supply chain or when there is a war, the prices of materials change dramatically. The same is true for steel buildings. There are many reasons why prefabricated steel buildings are cheaper than concrete blocks and brick walls. However, steel structures are stronger, last longer, and require less maintenance.
- Prefab steel buildings come with a roof unlike brick or concrete block wall construction.
- Steel building systems are stronger than brick and concrete structures but cost less in materials and tools.
- Xinguangzheng steel buildings are prefabricated, which greatly reduces construction time. Therefore, this saves time and labor costs.
- Frame and steel structures are simpler than brick and mortar structures and therefore require fewer skilled laborers. This makes construction more affordable.
- Rapid completion also reduces the cost of interim financing and builder’s risk insurance.
Costs of Masonry vs Steel Buildings
The cost of building a precast concrete wall or a concrete block wall is roughly the same. However, pouring a concrete wall is more expensive and requires more work.
- The price of building a new brick wall depends on the size, style, and type of design of the wall.
- Unlike traditional brick and concrete construction. The cost of a prefabricated steel building includes both architectural and engineering components. Brick or cement block buildings require separate architectural and engineering designs. As a result, their cost is 15% higher.
- Bricks and mortar do not last as long as steel. Because bricks are porous, changes in temperature and humidity can cause damage and water corrosion. This can lead to mold growth, which is detrimental to both health and the building structure.
Concrete Block vs Steel Building Costs
- Unlike steel structures, heavy-duty concrete requires long-term maintenance to prevent mold and weathering.
- Steel structures are lighter, while concrete structures require thicker and more expensive supports to maintain stability.
Decorating Prefab Steel Structures with Modern Siding or Masonry
Which exterior material you use on a prefabricated steel building depends on how it looks, how well it works, and how much it costs. Of course, you also need to consider the weather conditions where you live. Fortunately, there are many siding options available for pre-engineered steel buildings.
By adding layers of brick (stone, rock) to a metal building, you can give it a classic, old-fashioned look with red brick or any other color that suits your style. In addition, veneer brick is superior to real brick in many ways. For example, brick veneer is lighter, more resistant to water damage, and easier to design.
In addition, you can use purlin load-bearing rib panels on the exterior of prefab steel buildings. They can make walls, roofs, lintels, and soffits last longer, cost less, and insulate against air and water. Sheets are usually available on the market in a wide range of colors. In addition, these panels can be overlapped to create a strong metal-to-metal joint. This ensures that the installed facade is weatherproof.
Learn more: What Is A Metal Purlin ?
Contact Us
Steel buildings manufactured by Xinguangzheng are strong, durable, long-lasting, and require little maintenance. Steel buildings have many advantages, such as being strong and durable, easy to build, and low labor intensity. Therefore, steel buildings are a great opportunity for builders. Contact us to learn more about steel buildings.
