As you get ready to build or renovate your home, you’ll need to choose durable materials. Structural steel products, such as galvanized beams, rolled steel, and bar grating, make excellent alternatives to wood for everything from framing and staircases to roofing and siding. Below, learn more about this material and how it can be useful.

Common Questions About Residential Steel

What are the different types of steel?

Steel is an iron alloy that contains carbon, which makes the metal more durable. Plain carbon is the most popular type of steel used in residential construction, and it has anywhere from 0.3 to 1.5% carbon. Alternatively, lower carbon products are most often used because they weld and machine easily.

What does fabrication involve?

Structural steel can be fabricated into beams, bars, rods, and plates to suit construction needs. Using your project's blueprints, a custom fabrication company can create materials that match the structure’s span, load-bearing capabilities, and shape. They typically use computer-aided design (CAD) programs to develop the structures before cutting, bending, and welding them together.

What are the benefits of the material?

Steel is easy to design in any shape or size you need for a project, which gives you plenty of room to get creative. It also has high tensile strength, meaning it won’t break when bent or stretched, and it can resist impact, mold, and fire. Since it's made from recycled materials, this metal is even ecofriendly. Additionally, it has an attractive luster that improves curb appeal.

Do you need to protect it?

Exposed steel, such as that used for roofing and siding, may require painting or protective coatings to prevent corrosion. Additionally, though it's fire-resistant and inflammable, steel may become weak when exposed to flames from secondary fires, causing it to soften. Prevent structural collapse by insulating it with flame-retardant foam.

When you need dependable steel products for your next building project, get in touch with Magna Steel Sales. They provide beams, bar grating, angles, and sheet steel to clients throughout Westport, CT, and the surrounding areas. Call (203) 888-0300 to get started on custom fabrication for home construction, and visit their website to learn more about their products for residential and commercial applications.