Build speed
The steel frame is made in the factory while the foundation work goes on, and it is assembled on site with bolted joints. The frame goes up in a few weeks. A masonry building generally needs longer for walls, floors and roof, and the work depends more on the weather.
Spans and free space
A steel-frame hall can have large spans with no interior columns, up to 30 m in our projects. That means easy manoeuvring for forklifts and trucks and efficient use of space. For large spans, masonry needs extra elements and ends up heavier and costlier.
Flexibility and extension
A frame designed from the start for extension can be lengthened later, and bolted joints allow changes or dismantling. A masonry building is harder to extend or rework without major intervention.
Weight and foundation
A steel frame with sandwich panels is much lighter than masonry, so the foundation can be more economical. The foundation is still designed for the ground on site and the project loads.
When masonry makes sense
Masonry stays suitable for small buildings, special appearance requirements or where the thermal mass of heavy walls is wanted. For warehouses, production, farm halls and larger commercial space, a steel-frame hall is usually the faster and more efficient solution.