The construction industry
Our global public health crisis has confirmed the urgent need for a new way of building homes, offices and public buildings, using smart construction to tackle design problems, inefficiency, outdated techniques and environmental challenges.
Covid accentuated concerns surrounding close working demands for traditional construction methods and LGSF’s impressive environmental credentials, have all helped to catapult MMC, and in particular LGSF, to the top of the construction agenda and we predict this continued growth will be one of the top trends to follow in coming years.
As an industry, construction has shown unparalleled resilience by keeping sites open, embracing collaborative working and embracing pioneering technologies. With its offsite, factory-controlled manufacturing capabilities and reduced site requirements, LGSF systems are perfectly placed to become the build technology of choice as we head into a new era of construction.
No one can deny that the construction industry has room for improvement when it comes to its carbon footprint, the levels of disruption it causes and its overall cost. Light gauge steel framing is a modern solution to some of the problems traditional construction methods present. The ideal solution for one to 15 storey buildings, LGSF offers faster construction, cleaner sites and a reduced carbon footprint. Its capacity to change the time and work patterns of on and offsite construction means it has become recognised as a greener way of building.
Why light gauge steel?
Light Gauge Steel Framing is particularly dynamic and versatile making it a suitable application across all sectors. Currently, it is predominantly used in many including but not limited to – Residential, Social, PRS, BTR, Retirement Living/Extracare, Hotels, Student Accommodation.
When designing a project early engagement is key to the success with the selection of the method of build being considered to realise the cost efficiencies for utilising the eco-friendly, flexible and dynamic nature efficient use of LGSF technology. With the ability to build up to 15 storeys, LGSF is the ideal choice for any build looking to speed up on site construction and therefore reduce costs, whilst building sustainably.
With sustainability right at the top of the building agenda, we know that LGSF outperforms traditional methods on every level. As more developers familiarise themselves with the huge benefits of LGSF, we anticipate even larger growth throughout the next 12 months.
“Early engagement is key”
The impact of light gauge steel on balcony design
To be a successful match with light gauge steel frames, a balcony needs to be as lightweight as possible to avoid deflection. One area to review is the connection back into the frame where potential rotation in the connection can occur. Getting the knuckle connection right is the key to achieve the best rigidity in a balcony and tie wires can offer a solution in some situations.
What does the future hold for light gauge steel?
As the government increases incentives and advice to build offsite and embrace MMC, we are seeing continued growth across all sectors. In particular, Retirement Living/ Extracare and low-rise Housing.
Adding to this the highly sustainable credentials of an LGSF building, with the manufacture of concrete accounting for around 9% of the world’s total carbon emissions, (3 times more than the aviation industry) steel frame structures, are, by their very nature, immediately more environmentally friendly (the use of concrete frames have high levels of embedded carbon, by far the highest of all structures). Steel frames are produced using at least 42% recycled content, reduced transportation requirements, minimal site waste and over 90% end of life recyclability all contribute to making LGSF one of the most sustainable construction methods on the market today.
The investment in R&D demonstrated that is possible to add windows and other elements offsite, to create a faster, cleaner construction of a building. Clients who work repeatedly with LGSF and MMC reap the greatest reward as the more a solution is easily repeatable, with all the cost-savings thrown in. Construction in a controlled environment offsite allows for it to be completed in time no matter what is happening onsite, less susceptible to delays experienced with traditional builds such as wet weather.
“…the industry is constantly evolving and innovating, we will soon be able to offer fully volumetric panels with windows pre-installed for a faster on site construction.”
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