Steel is a metal that is absolutely vital to the construction industry and isn't going away anytime soon. That said, there are plenty of alternative building materials that are available to builders, and the variety is only increasing each year. So why does steel maintain a distinct advantage? Keep reading to discover just a few benefits of using steel in construction projects big and small.

Strength

Steel is one of the strongest materials on the planet. Its dependability in this regard is why it is used to craft everything from personal backyard projects to massive skyscrapers in the world's biggest cities. In fact, even when other materials are preferred for a specific project, steel is more often than not used to reinforce it so as to make the finished product even stronger.

Resistance

Steel by itself can be susceptible to the elements, but combined with chromium (producing what most called stainless steel) it becomes virtually invincible. Fire is no longer a threat, and the oxidized layer that chromium produces means that rust isn't a problem either, even in the wettest conditions. This ability to combine with other materials such as chromium means that steel is a nearly unbeatable choice when it comes to construction.

Aesthetics

Structural strength and resistance to rust are both great, but they probably wouldn't be taken advantage of at all if steel didn't look as good as it does. Stainless steel especially is used to create a glimmering, modernist appearance that stands out whether in a home, local community, or famous skyline. While it might sound superficial to claim looks as a major point in steel's favor, the fact is that when people think of beautiful 21st century construction, stainless steel is usually what they think of. 

Adaptability

Just because huge construction projects are built to last indefinitely, that doesn't mean that changes aren't frequently made to various aspects of these projects. The foundation of the building may need to be reinforced to meet new retrofitting requirements, or the owners of the building may want to add new floors to the existing ones. With construction projects made primarily of other materials, this is significantly more difficult, but because steel is so adaptable, it's par for the course. So if you anticipate having to make changes to your project over the next few years (or even decades), you can rest assured that you won't have any problems with steel. 

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