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Steel
For over 150 years, steel has been used in the North American market. Today, all over the world, it remains one of the most resistant and durable materials. Although customarily associated with skyscrapers and bridges, steel has now become a material of choice in the construction of homes. The word 'steel' normally suggests a heavy and difficult to use material. However, the galvanized steel used in the construction of homes is precisely the opposite of that. Galvanized steel is light, easy to handle, dimensionally stable and highly resistant. This durable and easily recyclable material satisfies increasingly the ever-growing world environmental concerns. All Amsteel constructions use hot-dipped galvanized cold–formed steel that has high resistance and low weight among some of its qualities. All the metallic components use are resistant to corrosion, non-flammable, stable and durable and are compatible with virtually all the materials traditionally used for finish and decoration.
Oriented Strand Board
Sheets of particleboard designated as OSB (Oriented Strand Board) are available in several dimensions and thickness. These sheets are produced from obtaining wood particles from quick growing trees such as the marine pine. These particles are agglomerated under heat and pressure using resins and chemical products that turn the wood completely inert and resistant to water. Some manufacturers also add products that increase the resistance to fire. OSB first appeared in the United States at the beginning of the 80’s and quickly won acceptance among the technicians, engineers and builders. In 1994, more than 250 million sheets were used in the industry in United States and Canada alone. In the mid 1990’s when more than two dozens of large groups of companies began the production of OSB worldwide, a representative association for this industry appeared. The Structural
Board Association was not only responsible for promoting and it developing this product, it took part in the standardization quality control of the product. Sheets of particleboard are generally applied as the covering (sheathing) for steel structures, improving the structural stability. OSB acts as support for the interior insulation and the external covering, also as a thermal shield dispenser. In a time of growing environmental concerns, OSB proves to be an advantageous material; the trees used as the primary material for these sheets are grown in special forests that are continuingly replanted. The production process uses more than 90% of the tree; the remaining percentage is the production of energy. Since OSB is a relatively new material, each factory was built to satisfy the most stringent quality, environmental and safety standards. The sheets are cured completely during the manufacturing process so no measurable emanation of gases exists as they being handled and applied.
Drywall
In all Amsteel homes,
the interior walls are usually covered to sheets of drywall. This
material has been used in various construction projects for many
years and its benefits are well-known to construction experts
worldwide. First used in the United States in 1890, it appeared
in Europe in 1917 and since then more than a hundred thousand million
square meters have been used around the globe. Listed below are
some the advantages of this material.
• Protection against Fire - Before it
catches fire an extreme amount of heat must occur for this
material to totally dehydrate. Until this dehydration happens,
drywall stays between 100ºC and the 160ºC, avoiding
thermal shock and the transmission of heat, and delaying the
spread of the fire during for about one hour. This fire resistance
limits the dilation of the structures, especially steel, allowing
the thermal flow to be evenly distributed, avoiding points
of heat concentration that would damage the structure.
• Acoustic Insulation - The sheets of drywall form
a continuous surface and although they are not of high density
or great thickness, the porous interior structure, as well as
its significant elasticity, are characteristics that allow
it be to be absorbent and thus a good acoustic shock absorber.
• Thermal Insulation - A badly insulated home requires
a larger consumption of energy to provide a comfortable atmosphere.
However, a powerful heating source doesn't guarantee a comfortable
atmosphere, the area around the source may heat up, but the walls
remain cold. A continuous wall made of drywall of only 0.042'
(13 mm), has a low coefficient of thermal conductivity (0,26
Kcal/h/m ºC),
and guarantees an evenly comfortable atmosphere with an insulating
power three times better than brick and four and a half times
superior than concrete.
Insulation
One of the main concerns
of Amsteel International is to guarantee a home with balanced interior
temperature year long. According to the climatic demands, the insulation
process most appropriate for the given situation is chosen; a good
insulation should stabilize the interior temperature independently
of the external conditions while still allowing the building to
breathe. One method of achieving this is to use mineral wool or
similar material for the external walls and roofs. Steel is a good
thermal driver it should be insulated properly to impede the diffusion
of heat from the home. (OSB) generally used to totally cover the
metallic structure, already act as thermal shield dispenser, however
Amsteel buildings can also have the added protection of using Extruded
Polystyrene, when applied to the exterior further increases the
thermal protection of the building
Mineral Wool
This material from
the mineral fibers of volcanic rock, impregnated and agglomerated
by resins, available in sheet or blanket form, and is inserted
in the spacing between beams or steel profiles, it is totally immune
to fire and possess excellent insulating properties. Insulating
with mineral wool guarantees an excellent comfort level within
the home. This level of comfort is very difficult to attain with
many construction methods. Some of the main advantages mineral
wool is that it provides excellent levels of thermal and acoustic
insulation, it does not provoke allergies, does not absorb water,
there is no deterioration, it allows the passage of air and has
limitless durability.
Expanded Polystyrene
Plastic foam
of a sealed cellular structure, presented in form of sheets, was
especially developed to eliminate thermal bridges such as those
formed by the use of studs. Possessing a null capillarity, it is
resistant to the diffusion of water vapor and is impermeable to
rain. It is easy to work with and dispenses the need of a vapor
barrier or air pocket and can be used as a superficial finish,
which facilitates the adherence of the final finish. |
