WHAT IS COLD-FORMED STEEL?

Steel doesn't have one particular production method. Rather, different types of steel are made using different production processes including hot formed and cold-formed methods. In both processes, the metal is rolled between machined rolls but at very different temperatures. In a nutshell:

Hot-rolled steel is heated above the metal's recrystallization temperature (around 1700° F or higher) making it easier to bend and shape the metal. The steel used for hot formed steel can be much larger and the end results are weaker than its cold-formed counterpart, which makes it more affordable. This process is often used in construction for things like railroad ties, I-beams and other products that don't require as precise of a shape. Its appearance is more scaly and rounded, and it has less precise corners than cold-formed products.
Cold-rolled steel is pressed at significantly cooler temperatures, often even room temperature, which means it doesn't shrink or change form. It is a stronger product than hot formed steel and has a smoother appearance. The corners and dimensions are more precise, allowing it to be used for more visible, exterior applications. Cold-formed steel is used most commonly in the construction world to fabricate structural shapes and panels.
So, that's the more concise version of the Hot-formed vs. Cold-formed steel story. Now we'll focus a little more on cold-formed steel in particular and why it is so popular in the steel and metal building industry.

COLD-FORMED STEEL: GIVE A CHEER FOR STRENGTH, SUSTAINABILITY AND COST-EFFICIENCY
Cold-formed steel components are predominantly made from steel plate, sheet or strip materials. These plates are put through one of two processes: press braking or cold roll forming, where they are shaped according to the required specifications.

Press-braking is used to create simple shapes in small quantities. For steel and metal building fabrication, most components - such as floor, wall and roof panels - are manufactured via cold roll forming. Cees, Zees, and hat sections are also made using cold roll forming production methods. This process results in steel products that are stronger and harder. Plus, because they are mass-produced and relatively light weight, they are easier to transport and install.

The cold-forming process uses a series of rolls. These rolls continue to work the metal until it has been precisely manipulated into the desired shape. The more complex the shape design, the more rolls are used. Sheets of steel are fed through the rolls and, in typical cold-formed steel production, anywhere from six to 24 pairs of rolls are used. The machines can accommodate sheets or coils up to 60-inches wide and more than 3000 feet long.

There are several reasons why cold-formed steel is the preferred choice for most aspects of steel and metal building industry.

Strength and durability. When we say that cold-formed steel is stronger than its hot formed alternative, this is not to say that hot formed steel is weak. On the contrary, it is used to form I-Beams and other structural and building components that are incredibly strong. However, in the construction world - especially when it comes to visible finishes - precise edges and a consistent finish are important. So, we usually prefer products that are made using cold-formed steel. And, because the steel is pressed without the use of heat, there is less chance for flaws to occur that lead to future weakness and buckling of the thinner panels.

Sustainability. Hot or cold-formed, steel is the most recycled product in North America. That means the cold-formed steel used to for your construction project was made from high quantities of pre- and post-consumer steel and metals, and all of it can be recycled again at the end of your project's lifespan. Additionally, steel building materials are incredibly durable, which means your maintenance and repair costs are significantly minimized. It's resistance to pests, fire and other natural and man-made disaster increase steel's sustainability and longevity when compared with traditional wood construction materials.

Cost-efficiency. In many cases, your first-time costs with cold-formed steel building products will be cheaper than lumber alternatives. However when you factor the additional cost-savings of the strength, durability and sustainability mentioned above, the lifetime costs of a steel building are dramatically less than those associated with traditional building materials. Adding on to an existing steel building is also easier than adding to a wood-framed building because of the inherent design consistency of pre-fabricated building materials. Finally, paying attention to a few energy-efficient options, such as cool metal roofing, will also help to trim your lifetime costs.


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