Why Build with Light Gauge Steel? Material Efficiency

LGS is 21 times more efficient

Roll-formed light gauge steel (LGS) is considerably more efficient for housing and has significantly lower environmental impacts than using timber in construction.

Some argue that building with steel is less environmentally friendly, due to the amount of energy it takes to manufacture.  In fact, the evidence shows the opposite.

Let us compare the material efficiency of 1 cubic metre of steel vs. 1 cubic metre of timber in the construction of a simple, two-storey 200mhouse with a 2.4-metre stud.

One cubic metre of timber produces 0.124 houses like this.  The same volume of steel, however, produces 3.3 houses (21 times more).  What's more, timber wastage is typically 20% against 2-3% for steel.  It also is twice the weight of steel framing, so onward transportation requires more energy.  The cherry on the top, steel is up to 99% recyclable.

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