This text is part of an extended series of articles on Holiday homes - why and what to build your holiday home from and analyses the advantages and disadvantages of the construction systems commonly used in the construction of such buildings.
Metal frame houses are quite similar prefabricated houses - The structure is made in a specialised factory according to an initial design and then assembled on site.
This type of structure might sound quite tempting for building a holiday home relatively quickly. Like all the other examples of houses discussed in this mini-series, metal frame houses have advantages and disadvantages. The important thing is to be aware of them from the start.
Houses on light metal structure
The most common types of houses with metal structure in Romania are those with light metal structure, where the metal elements are made in the factory, assembled on site and clad. They can also be found in the form of prefabricated metal-framed panel houses, where the panels are made entirely in specialised factories, clad with OSB and then put in place on site.
The prices of metal structures can be much higher than the prices of other building materials, both the material itself and the labour. It takes skilled people who know how to work with metal in this way. Because of the shorter time it takes to do the actual work, metal can be a real advantage for those working against the clock.
Advantages of houses with metal structure
1. Versatility of structure
The properties of metal structures make them suitable for any kind of shape, the limitations imposed being small compared to wooden structures or classic houses. Also, subsequent alterations or extensions are much easier to carry out in metal-framed houses.
2. Shorter mounting time
Since metal structures require metal elements made in specialised factories, their pre-assembly on site is carried out in a relatively short time. Also, the controlled environment in which the metal elements are made ensures quality and safety control before they are assembled on site, making the houses safer in this respect.
3. Good earthquake resistance
The metal behaves well in earthquakes, being an elastic material. It is therefore suitable for any area, with the guarantee of a safe structure. Damage in the event of an earthquake will be less than with other types of structures.
4. Reduced structure dimensions
Structural steel members are sized according to the size of the construction spans, and are comparatively smaller than other types of structures such as reinforced concrete frames. In the case of steel structures, the walls are thinner and the difference between the usable room area and the built-up area is smaller. In this sense, rooms are at least 15 cm larger on each side.
Disadvantages of houses with metal structure
1. Lower energy efficiency
Because metal is a good conductor of heat, thermal bridges between elements are easily created. Therefore, extra care is needed when insulating metal-framed houses. In theory, no metal element should connect the inside to the outside because that is where the heat escapes.
2. Metal structures store heat
Unlike brick houses, which work very well as insulation in both winter and summer, being cooler in summer and warmer in winter, metal frame houses absorb heat in summer, and inside temperatures can rise significantly. The same goes for the cold outside in winter. In this respect, thermal insulation is very important in metal frame houses.
3. Reduced mounting flexibility
If wooden structural elements can be modified on site, it is much more difficult to do so with metal elements. The design of the house must therefore be well thought out and correlated with the realities on the ground (e.g. the slope of the land) before the metal elements are made.
4. Rust
If termites and wood decay are the number one enemy of wood and need to be treated regularly to reduce the risk of their occurrence, in the case of metal we are talking about rust. The appearance of rust causes a weakening of the structural capacities of metal elements, which can lead to rapid deterioration of the construction. Fortunately, there are certain special treatments that help combat the appearance of rust and preserve the integrity of the structure for longer.
5. Sound insulation
Like thermal insulation, sound insulation, which is very necessary for metal structures, must also be taken into account. Being a good conductor of sound of all kinds, metal needs additional soundproofing material to make better use of spaces.
These are among the most important advantages and disadvantages to consider if you are thinking of using a steel structure for the construction of your holiday home. Each of them has a greater or lesser weight in the final project and must be weighed accurately before making a decision.
If you have any other ideas feel free to leave them in the comments.
English 
Romanian 
Italian 
German 
Spanish 
French 
Add comment