If there’s one material that’s not falling out of demand any time soon, it’s structural steel. Los Angeles and the surrounding area is full of steel buildings, after all – and that steel has to be supplied by someone. This means a lot of work for steel supply companies in the area.
But just why is structural steel in Los Angeles, or anywhere for that matter, such a popular choice for construction? And what should a construction company look for in terms of a supplier?
Creating a Faster Process
Structural steel is preferable to other field placed materials because it allows for a much faster overall construction process. Yes, field work can start sooner when field placed material is used, but the technology involved in creating steel for structures lends itself to fast design and fabrication of entire framing systems. The use of steel also allows for fabrication and rapid erection no matter the season – a definite advantage over other materials.
Lowering Costs
Structural steel has been the cost leader in construction materials for decades. It requires far less in terms of man-hours for production, and technological advancements have allowed for a lowering of the cost of detailing and fabrication. Productivity has increased dramatically in just the past three decades alone.
Allowing Flexible Design
It also allows for freedom and creativity in the design process that just can’t be matched by any other material.
Visual Appeal
Place a steel structure beside a concrete one and you’ll understand why so many designers would rather use steel as their material of choice to realize their design vision. Not only can the function of the building be addressed, but the unique style and personality of the client can be taken into account as well. Steel also allows for more natural light in a building’s interior, and for the existence of clear spans free of bulky columns.
The ideal supplier of structural steel in Los Angeles will have a proven track record of excellence throughout the fabrication process. They’ll have stringent quality assessment and control procedures in place, and will use nothing but the best in terms of machinery and software, so you’ll be able to rest easy in the results they produce.
