Author: adminVS007

Steel has been a cornerstone in construction since the 19th century when the first high-rise buildings were erected. Today, steel is no longer reserved just for towering structures; it has become a popular choice for smaller buildings and even residential homes. The benefits of using steel in construction are numerous and compelling. In this blog, we will delve into the importance of using steel in today’s construction to indicate why steel should be considered first.

Steel offers unmatched strength compared to brick walls and wooden frames. It resists warping, twisting, and bending, making it a flexible and easy material to work with and install. Its durability and low maintenance needs make steel a fascinating option for builders. Unlike wooden frames, which can be vulnerable to mildew, steel remains unaffected. This resilience extends to natural disasters; steel buildings can withstand hurricanes, severe storms, and earthquakes. Additionally, the strength of steel may lead to better insurance rates for building owners.

The Challenges and Solutions of Using Steel in Today’s Construction

While steel offers many advantages, it does come with some drawbacks. Steel is more expensive than traditional building materials, and making a steel building energy efficient requires additional insulation since steel conducts heat and cold more effectively than conventional materials. Poorly designed steel structures can also deteriorate over time due to exposure to the elements.

To maximise the benefits of building with steel, it’s essential to work with a qualified contractor experienced in this material. At Valostar Steel Construction, we specialise in bringing your vision to life through our full turnkey approach to structural steel services. We manage every step of the process, from design and detailing to production and erection of your steel structure.

Valostar Steel Construction supplies, delivers and installs roof sheeting, side cladding, insulation, flashings, ventilation and rainwater goods. We guarantee the quality of our cladding and ensure your steel structure’s exterior is weather-resistant and visually appealing.

Our in-house team and approved subcontractors can erect between 12-15 tons or 1000m² – 1500m² of steel per week. We supply, deliver, and install roof sheeting, cladding, insulation, flashings, ventilation, and rainwater goods across South Africa. Our cladding is guaranteed to be of the highest quality, ensuring that your building’s exterior remains both weather-resistant and visually appealing.

With the capacity to clad between 1250m² – 1750m² per day, Valostar is equipped with its own transport fleet, including tri-axles and an 8-ton load delivery vehicle. Each of our erection teams has a dedicated vehicle to ensure timely material delivery on-site. We have also partnered with various logistics companies to provide efficient transportation across South Africa.

Steel Structures and Modern Architecture

Architecture is more than just designing buildings. It involves planning, designing, and constructing physical structures. The role of steel structures in modern architecture is often underestimated, yet they are essential for making buildings durable, sustainable, and high-quality.

Steel offers clear advantages in construction. Designers and developers have long recognised its value. Steel’s versatility allows architects to achieve ambitious designs with ease. It is a key element in sports stadiums, shopping centers, commercial and industrial buildings, and agricultural structures like sheds, water plants, and warehouses.

The Sustainability and Durability of Steel Structures

Steel is the most sustainable material in construction. When a steel-framed building is demolished, its components can be reused or recycled to create new ones. Globally, up to 50% of a new steel structure can consist of recycled steel.

Steel structures are lighter than concrete. They need smaller foundations, reducing environmental impact. If a steel foundation is used, it can be fully extracted and recycled after demolition, leaving no waste behind.

Steel structures last much longer than those made from other materials. They resist damage and require less frequent refurbishment. The fabrication and painting process protects steel from rust, preserving its strength.

Steel Structures Have Economic Benefits

Steel structures require minimal maintenance, lowering long-term costs. Their sustainability reduces both maintenance and production costs when using recycled materials. Steel buildings are also flexible. It’s easier and cheaper to expand or adapt a steel structure compared to other materials. This adaptability extends the building’s lifespan and use.

Companies like Valostar Steel Construction in South Africa specialise in designing, fabricating, painting, and erecting steel structures. Explore our services to learn more and find out how we can help you build your warehouse from concept to completion.

The role steel structures play in architecture continues to shape modern construction with sustainability, durability, and cost-efficiency.

In any building process, there are steps that need to be followed. This is to ensure that nothing is left out, and whatever you are building is as strong as it should be. The list below isn’t followed in the exact same manner by each contractor, but is a guideline to each contractor’s building process. It represents the steps of designing and constructing a building.

The Steps of Designing and Constructing a Building are as Follows:

• Funding needs to be given towards the building.
• Brainstorm with different funders and executives from other companies about building plans.
• Negotiate with City Planner about building plans, and request permission in the specified area.
• Rough sketch some ideas and conclude which idea is the best.
• Present ideas to company executives.

Integrated Design Process

When interviewing architects to execute the building idea once it has been approved. It’s always good to ask architects “how to” questions so you know that they’re capable of doing the job. The following steps are then followed by the architect:

• Architect draws up schematics for consideration.
• Have meeting- talk through design goals.
• Schematic refinement.
• 3D modelling.
• Develop drawings for submission to the City Council.
• Permit process – this is basically the architect/s getting a go ahead from the city council about the building idea.

Once permits are issued, the construction begins. The steps to constructing a building include breaking ground, excavation, and foundation work. Then, framing, roofing, and rough plumbing follow. Electrical systems, air sealing, insulation, and drywall come next. Lastly, tasks like flooring, painting, and installing cabinets complete the process before the building is ready for occupancy. View the detailed list below:

• Break Ground
• Excavation
• Foundation
• Concrete Forms
• Pour Foundation Wall
• Concrete Slab Pour
• Gravel
• Water Barrier
• Rigid Foam
• Rebar (and PEX tubing for radiant floor heating)
• Pour Concrete for Slab
• Utilities
• Sewer, Electrical, Water, Gas
• Framing
• Balloon Framing
• Sheathing
• Roof
• Stairs
• Windows
• Roofing
• Weather Resistant Barrier
• Rain Screen
• Rough Plumbing
• Mechanical Systems
• Lighting and Electrical
• Ambient
• Task
• Accent
• Perimeter
• Air Sealing
• Insulation
• Spray Foam, Blown-in Insulation, or Batt Insulation
• Drywall
• Sheetrock, Mudding, Sanding, Primer
• Siding
• Flooring
• Tiling
• Painting
• Cabinets, Shelving
• Finish Plumbing
• Finish Electrical and Lighting
• Certificate of Occupancy
• Modifications

Valostar Steel Construction specialises in these steps to designing and constructing buildings. We ensure each project meets industry standards, no matter the size or complexity.