Benefits

Steel the superior construction material

Highest strength-to-weight ratio of any building material 100% recyclable.
Inorganic-will not rot, warp, split, crack or creep.
Consistent material quality-produced in strict accordance with national standards, no regional variations.
Non-combustible-does not burn and will not contribute fuel to the spread of a fire.
Dimensionally stable-does not expand or contract with moisture content.

Benefits to the Consumer

High strength results in safer structures, less maintenance and slower aging of structure.
Fire safety.
Not vulnerable to termites.
Less probability of damage in high winds-stronger connections, screwed versus nailed.
Less probability of foundation problems - less weight results in less movement.
Not vulnerable to any type of fungi or organism.
Less probability of damage in an earthquake - lighter structure with stronger connections results in less seismic force.

Benefits to the Builder

Benefits to the Environment

More steel recycled in North America each year than aluminum, plastic and glass combined- with the industry's overall recycling rate of 64%.
Steel's unique magnetic properties make it easily identifiable as a recyclable material. If a magnet sticks than consumers can be sure it's steel and should be recycled.
More than 12 million cars (virtually every car taken off the road) were recycled in 1998 - enough cars to circle the earth more than one and three-quarter times.
Steel recycling programs reduce the solid waste stream resulting in saved landfill space and conservation of natural resources.
Every ton of steel recycled saves 2,500 pounds of iron ore, 1,400 pounds of coal and 120 pounds of limestone.
Trough the basic oxygen furnace steel making process, steel framing uses a minimum of 25% recycled steel.
In 1998, 88% of the steel taken from commercial construction demolition sites was recycled.