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Utah is an earthquake prone zone. In fact, my house is pretty much sitting smack dab on the Wasatch Fault. Perhaps it's not the brightest place to build a home, but given the multiple hurricanes that threaten Florida's Gold Coast every year, I figure no matter where you live, you're choosing one natural disaster or another.
When we were designing our home, Sam wanted the architecture to be as calamity prone as humanly (and financially) possible. We looked at a number of options…mostly outside the typical frame construction.
He thoroughly researched future steel buildings. They seem to be an up and coming trend that makes sense. Steel is relatively lightweight, easily configurable, and very strong.
Our initial house plans and bid included the foamed concrete blocks we eventually did end up using, paired with steel beams and trusses. It was our earthquake proof house.
When all the costs were calculated, it turned out that steel buildings were a bit out of the price range for regular homeowners. It wasn't so much because the cost was excessive, but because construction lenders did not value the extra expense involved in using steel. In other words, even though the cost of the house went up when using steel, the appraisal did not go up, leaving the higher cost to come out of pocket.
We did not end up using the planned steel roof construction, but our research showed it to be a sound material choice. If you're looking for a very durable home—and can pay for the extra cost on your own—steel is a great building choice.
Alison Moore Smith is a 61-year-old entrepreneur who graduated from BYU in 1987. She has been (very happily) married to Samuel M. Smith for 40 years. They are parents of six incredible children and grandparents to two astounding grandsons. She is the author of The 7 Success Habits of Homeschoolers.
I can agree with you that steel houses are the best. In my area we don’t need to build such houses at all as we rarely have any hurricanes or earthquakes and that’s why people just choose standard houses to have made of wood usually.
I can agree with you that steel houses are the best. In my area we don’t need to build such houses at all as we rarely have any hurricanes or earthquakes and that’s why people just choose standard houses to have made of wood usually.
Using steel really seems to be a good investment for home. But I think it still depends on the homeowners if they can shoulder the cost and if they are willing to take this kind of investment. 🙂
Using steel really seems to be a good investment for home. But I think it still depends on the homeowners if they can shoulder the cost and if they are willing to take this kind of investment. 🙂
I agree with the author, the still buildings are getting popularity!
I agree with the author, the still buildings are getting popularity!
I agree steel is very versatile. When I built my house I went with stick framed but for the roof I did a standing seam metal roof. This was because I designed my house in a Texas Hill Country style and a metal roof is true to the style. It is also awesome for my insurance rate. Since we have so many hail storms here insurance is higher than other parts of the country (at least the roof part). And by doing metal my roof is now practically hail proof.
I agree steel is very versatile. When I built my house I went with stick framed but for the roof I did a standing seam metal roof. This was because I designed my house in a Texas Hill Country style and a metal roof is true to the style. It is also awesome for my insurance rate. Since we have so many hail storms here insurance is higher than other parts of the country (at least the roof part). And by doing metal my roof is now practically hail proof.
Thanks for the tip. Steel is indeed the best material when your living in countries that belong in the earthquake belt. I’m living in the Philippines but only rich families can afford a house built primarily using steel.
Thanks for the tip. Steel is indeed the best material when your living in countries that belong in the earthquake belt. I’m living in the Philippines but only rich families can afford a house built primarily using steel.
It makes total sense that steel homes are becoming more and more popular, bridges have been made out of them for years! If only they weren’t so expensive.
It makes total sense that steel homes are becoming more and more popular, bridges have been made out of them for years! If only they weren’t so expensive.
I think steel homes are great investment but it will break our backbone due to expensive construction.
I think steel homes are great investment but it will break our backbone due to expensive construction.
Steel is absolutely a great building choice. However in the current housing market, it’s not a good time to build new construction. It’s a buyers market and plenty of good deals on houses are already out their. If someone was dead set on building their own dream house, then sure steel would be an excellent choice.
We looked into steel trusses on our cement home when we built our custom home, but the cost was prohibitive. :/
Steel is absolutely a great building choice. However in the current housing market, it’s not a good time to build new construction. It’s a buyers market and plenty of good deals on houses are already out their. If someone was dead set on building their own dream house, then sure steel would be an excellent choice.
We looked into steel trusses on our cement home when we built our custom home, but the cost was prohibitive. :/
Every house or office has different construction materials needed as their structure, use and base work is different. Talk and discuss this matter with your constructor. If you’re planning to buy your material online then make sure that the website and company are legitimate and they have a good reputation as well.
I think it’s great that your husband wanted the architecture of your home to be calamity proof. I’ve heard that steel buildings can withstand a lot. When I build my new house, I’m going to look into this. I would hate for an earthquake to destroy my home.