Innovative solutions for steel frame houses construction

As the global construction industry accelerates towards industrialization, greening and efficiency, steel frame structures (SFS) are changing the face of residential buildings at an unprecedented rate. From the mature construction markets in North America and Europe to the rapidly developing emerging markets in the Middle East and Asia Pacific, steel frames have become the preferred solution for meeting urbanization challenges and improving building quality with their excellent strength, construction speed, design flexibility and sustainability. So, what core materials are needed to build a sturdy and durable steel frame house?

1. List of core materials for steel frame houses 

No matter where the project is located on the earth, the construction of a high-quality steel frame house cannot be separated from the following key materials:

Structural steel

Hot-rolled steel sections (H Sections, I-Beams): Used for main load-bearing columns and beams to provide strong support. Global standards (such as ASTM, EN, JIS) ensure consistent material performance.

Cold-bent thin-walled steel sections (C-sections, Z-sections): The main force of wall skeletons, floor joists, and roof trusses. Lightweight and high strength, easy to transport and quick to install. Specifications must comply with international standards (such as AISI, EN 1993-1-3).

Steel plates and steel strips: used for connecting plates, reinforcements, custom components, etc.

Connectors and fasteners

High-strength bolts and nuts: The key to the main structure connection, must meet international standards (such as ASTM A325/A490, Grade 8.8/10.9).

Self-tapping/self-drilling screws: used for the connection between cold-formed steel and the fixing of cladding plates, with high efficiency.

Special connectors (brackets, angle brackets, joist hangers): ensure that each component is connected accurately and firmly. Compliance with international certifications (such as ICC-ES, CE) is essential.

Welding materials (if applicable): welding rods and welding wires that meet the corresponding steel grades.

Floor system

Corrugated steel sheet (Decking): often used as a permanent formwork for pouring concrete slabs to increase integrity.

Precast concrete slabs: or cast on site on top of corrugated steel sheets to form a solid floor.

Light steel joists + OSB/plywood: Another common lightweight floor system.

Wall and roof enclosure system

External wall covering: A variety of options to adapt to global climate and cultural preferences, such as fiber cement board, metal wall panel, external cladding (brick, stone, wood effect), EIFS external wall insulation system.

Internal wall covering: Gypsum board (drywall), OSB board, cement fiber board, etc.

Insulation material: Glass wool and rock wool (good fireproof and soundproof) filled between steel components, or external XPS/EPS/PIR insulation board. High standards of fire protection (such as Class A) and environmental protection (low GWP) are global trends.

Roofing materials: Metal roofing (durable and lightweight), asphalt tiles, concrete tiles, synthetic tiles, etc.

Waterproof vapor barrier: A key barrier to ensure air tightness and moisture resistance of the building (such as roof waterproofing membranes, wall waterproof breathable membranes).

Door and window system

According to the climatic conditions of the project location (insulation, sound insulation, wind pressure resistance, dust prevention), high-performance doors and windows are selected, usually broken bridge aluminum alloy, UPVC or wood-aluminum composite, etc.

Auxiliary materials

Fireproof coating/fireproof board: Meet the mandatory specifications of different countries and regions for the fire resistance time limit of steel structures (such as UL certification, BS476, GB standards).

Anti-corrosion treatment: Hot-dip galvanizing (in accordance with ASTM A123/A153, etc.) is a global solution for steel corrosion prevention, and special environments require higher-grade coatings (such as ZAM coatings).

Airtight tape and sealant: Ensure continuous sealing of the building envelope system and improve energy efficiency.

Pipes and cable ducts: Water and electricity pipelines are usually pre-buried or run through the steel frame cavity.

2. Key Challenges and Opportunities

Supply Chain Resilience and Global Procurement: Projects are spread all over the world, requiring material suppliers to have a strong international logistics network and stable multi-regional production capacity to cope with geopolitical risks, fluctuations in shipping costs, etc.

Integration of Standards and Specifications: It is necessary to deeply understand and meet the building specifications (seismic, wind, fire, energy saving) and international material standards of the project location to ensure compliance.

Sustainability and Low Carbon Requirements: The rise of global ESG investment and strict carbon emission regulations (such as EU CBAM) have driven a surge in demand for green steel (high recycled content, electric arc furnace production) and environmentally friendly insulation materials.

Industrialized Construction and Efficiency: The in-depth application of BIM technology, component standardization, and increased prefabrication are the core competitiveness of shortening construction period, reducing costs, and ensuring quality.

3. Complete material solutions for steel frame buildings

Canglong Group has a deep insight into the global construction market trends. With innovative technology and global layout, it provides one-stop material solutions that exceed expectations for steel frame housing projects around the world:

Provide high-strength hot-rolled steel and precision cold-bent thin-walled steel (C/Z steel) that meet mainstream international standards such as ASTM, EN, JIS, GB, etc.

Advanced anti-corrosion guarantee: The entire line of structural steel adopts high-standard hot-dip galvanizing process (the thickness of the zinc layer is controllable) to meet the requirements of different corrosion environments around the world; higher-grade zinc-aluminum-magnesium (ZAM) coated steel can be customized to provide extraordinary weather resistance.

Green steel selection: Actively promote green steel products produced by high-recycled steel and electric arc furnace process to help customers achieve carbon neutrality goals.

Digital logistics management: Use advanced systems to optimize global transportation routes, provide real-time and transparent logistics tracking, and ensure that materials arrive at global construction sites on time and in good condition.

Deep BIM collaboration: Provide a high-precision BIM model library that matches steel products, seamlessly connect the design end, reduce on-site conflicts, and improve the degree of prefabrication.

Innovative connection solutions: Develop efficient and reliable special connectors and fastening systems to simplify installation, improve structural integrity and construction speed.

Enclosure system optimization suggestions: Based on global project experience, provide high-performance wall and roof system material combination suggestions suitable for local climate (such as recommending the combination of specific insulation and cladding materials).

Cross-time zone technical response: With an international technical team, provide 24/7 online engineering consultation and specification interpretation support to solve technical problems in global projects.

Sustainability certification support: Provide detailed material environmental declaration (EPD) and carbon footprint data to assist projects in meeting global green building certification requirements such as LEED, BREEAM, Green Star, etc.

4. Steel frame and the global sustainable building wave

With its efficient use of materials, industrialized construction speed, unlimited design possibilities and excellent sustainability (steel can be 100% recycled), steel frame houses perfectly fit the direction of the global construction industry's transformation towards green, efficient and high quality. Choosing the right materials and having a strong, reliable partner with a global vision are the keys to project success.

As a global innovator and reliable supplier of steel building materials, Canglong Group is committed to providing your steel frame house projects with high-performance materials that meet international standards, stable and efficient global supply chain guarantees, cutting-edge technical solutions and borderless professional support. Let us work together to build stronger, faster and greener future homes around the world with the power of steel.