Steel as a building material is growing in popularity, even for residential structures. It’s actually become trendy for its variety of options, speed and ease of construction, durability, and a number of environmental benefits. If you’re an eco-friendly buyer looking to build a new home, here are five good reasons why steel is the best ecological choice in green building design.

Lower Energy Costs

As one of the strongest construction materials, steel homes can support much denser layers of insulation that traditional wooden frames that tend to absorb moisture and warp over time. It’s much easier for your HVAC system to maintain indoor temperatures, saving you money on every electric bill.

Reduced Waste

In steel construction, every piece of the structure is normally pre-measured and pre-fabricated to fit neatly together. This eliminates all the wasted material that accumulates as wooden joists and 2x4s are cut to the proper length and angle. This makes for both efficient construction and less scrap, since there’s very little clean-up to do.

Weather-Resistant

Structural steel from companies like Ashley Savage is not only stronger but more durable than wood. Special coatings may be used to make the surface of steel beams even harder and more resistant to rust or corrosion. They also are better able to withstand the stresses of high winds, flooding, fire, or earthquakes than wooden or even concrete structures. A quality steel construction can last much longer than traditional wood in regions where these conditions occur.

Environmentally Safe

Steel does not absorb moisture and does not allow harmful growths like mold, fungus, or mildew that pose health risks to your family. It also lowers the chances of insect or rodent infestations compared to wood. Steel is almost completely recyclable long after wood has dried out or rotted away.

Meets Green Building Standards

Steel homes are better able to satisfy modern standards for green home construction. These are determined by the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) criteria. You can be confident that your steel home will be healthier, safer, and longer-lasting than the typical home built today. As demand for green construction rises, steel homes are also poised to offer better resale value as well as tax and insurance credits.

Homes with modern steel frames have many advantages but few of the drawbacks of conventional wooden homes. Steel is efficient, affordable, and low-maintenance, making it the right choice for new construction.