Many commercial buildings today have staircases as a focal point for the entire structure. You often find the staircases on the outside leading people to different floors in that building. However, the type of material making the staircases determines its durability and ability to withstand pressure.
On the other hand, choosing the material for building a staircase is not an easy task as there are several factors to consider. While there are several material choices for this task, many people prefer steel when building staircases for ships, residential, or commercial buildings.
The following are the benefits of using steel for exterior stairs.
Benefit #1: Steel is Highly Durable
Experts advise commercial property developers to use steel for exterior stairs because it can last longer. Once you install this staircase, you can rest assured of going for many years without requiring a replacement. While the material can withstand various conditions, it also undergoes chemical treatment to boost strength before building commercial staircases.
In addition, a top coat helps prevent rusting if the steel should come into contact with moisture. Again, structural steel is generally rigid, making steel stairs able to withstand any stress or impact and serviceable over a long time.
Benefit #2: Steel is Sturdy
The structural steel used in making stairs is an alloy of iron and other metals. That makes it extremely strong, and only a few materials can compare to its sturdiness and ability to endure high-pressure levels.
Steel stairs can hold up excess weight better than wooden or concrete stairs. Ideally, steel stairs can hold up to five times the weight a regular concrete or wooden staircase can hold.
Benefit #3: Steel Stairs Are Versatile
Moulding and customizing structural steel into various shapes, styles, and patterns is easy. As a result, many commercial property developers use it to creatively design staircases with a contemporary look instead of sticking to the traditional monotonous design.
The versatility and malleability of structural steel allow contractors to personalize the stairs of your commercial building, making them functional and aesthetically pleasing. You can implement many practical and stylish designs into your steel shop drawings. These two unique features make structural steel ideal for any commercial building.
Benefit #4: Steel is Affordable
Besides their durability, installing steel staircases in your building may not be as expensive as you might think. Contrarily, contractors believe these stairs to be among the cost-effective choices in the market today. Structural steel is surprisingly cheaper than stair materials like wood or concrete.
Experts fabricate the individual compounds of this staircase separately and assemble them at the construction site when ready to install. With this process, you can significantly reduce installation costs, making steel stairs the most viable option for commercial property owners looking for the most cost-effective yet durable choice.
Benefit #5: You Can Install Steel Stairs Independently
Suppose you have an existing commercial building and realize it requires a flight of stairs. A structural steel staircase will come in handy. Installing these stairs independently without requiring the building structure’s support is possible since an expert contractor can make them self-supporting systems.
Sometimes, they can use support from landings or floor exits, but only if available. If not, the contractor can build them independently of any floor structure. The installation process of a steel staircase as an independent area of a commercial property is easy because you can fabricate metal stairs at a nearby metal shop and then assemble them at the construction site.
Benefit #6: They are Safe and Easy to Maintain
Slight damage can accumulate over time and weaken a wooden staircase, posing a significant safety hazard. On the other hand, the strength and sturdiness of structural steel is virtually unmatched, making steel staircase the most trusted option regarding safety. It remains unmoved even in the worst weather conditions and extreme foot pressure.
When you talk of maintenance, think of structural steel, treated to protect it from rust and enable it to withstand pressure. Once this material undergoes the initial treatment, you will need minimal effort to make it shine as new. Thus, you cannot compare this to other staircase materials like wood that require periodic sanding and further treatment to restore its look. Therefore, installing steel stairs saves you time and resources for maintenance.
Benefit #7: Steel Stairs are more Flexible
You can install steel stairs in different unique styles since the material is flexible. It is simple to bend and shape the handrails to your desired design for the staircase using heat. With this level of flexibility, designers can navigate the material to create sleek staircase designs even for the most complex commercial buildings, including spiral stairs.
In addition, it offers an endless stream of design possibilities to real estate designers. For instance, if your client’s blueprint shows the need for a multi-platform or decorative staircase, structural steel might be your number one option.
