What Is Cold Formed Steel?

what is cold formed steel

Cold formed steel (CFS) is a type of steel shaped at room temperature using a process known as cold-forming or cold-working. This process involves bending, rolling, or stamping the steel sheet or strip into the desired shape and size without using heat.

What is cold formed steel? CFS is commonly used in various construction applications, such as framing for buildings, roof trusses, flooring systems, bridges, and other infrastructure projects. It is also used to manufacture multiple industrial and consumer goods, including furniture, appliances, and vehicles.

There are several advantages of using cold formed steel (CFS) in construction and manufacturing:

  • Strength: Cold formed steel has a high strength-to-weight ratio, making it stronger and more durable than many other materials. This allows for the creation of lightweight yet sturdy structures that can withstand heavy loads.

  • Cost-effective: CFS is often more cost-effective than construction materials like concrete or wood. It is readily available, easy to transport and install, and requires less labour than traditional building methods.

  • Versatile: Cold formed steel can be fabricated into various shapes and sizes, creating complex designs and structures.

  • Fire-resistant: CFS has inherent fire-resistant properties due to its low thermal conductivity and high melting point. This makes it a safer choice for construction in areas prone to bushfires or other fires.

  • Sustainable: CFS is made from recycled materials and is itself recyclable, making it an environmentally-friendly choice for construction and manufacturing.

  • Consistency: CFS is manufactured to exact specifications, resulting in consistent quality and dimensional accuracy. This makes planning and executing construction projects easier with fewer errors and delays.

Due to its many advantages, cold formed steel (CFS) is increasingly used in housing construction in Australia. Here are some ways in which cold-formed steel is used in housing:

  1. Framing: CFS is commonly used for the framing of residential buildings. The steel framing members, which are lightweight and easy to handle, are fabricated into the desired shape and size and then assembled on-site. This process allows for fast and efficient construction with minimal waste.

  2. Roofing and cladding: CFS can also be used for roofing and cladding in residential buildings. Steel panels are available in a range of colours and finishes, and they are durable and weather-resistant.

  3. Prefabricated housing: Cold formed steel is often used to construct prefabricated housing. The steel framing is fabricated off-site and transported to the construction site for assembly. This allows for faster construction times and reduced costs.

  4. Additions and renovations: Cold formed steel can also be used to add to and renovate existing residential buildings. The steel framing can be easily integrated with the existing structure, and the lightweight nature of the material makes it easier to work with in confined spaces.

Overall, using cold formed steel in housing construction offers many benefits, including cost-effectiveness, speed of construction, durability, and sustainability. As a result, CFS is becoming an increasingly popular choice for residential construction projects.

Several brands/manufacturers of cold formed steel (CFS) are available in Australia. Here are a few examples:

  • BlueScope Steel: BlueScope Steel is a leading manufacturer of cold formed steel in Australia. Their products include the TRUECORE® steel framing system, commonly used in residential and commercial construction projects.

  • Stramit: Stramit building products is another leading manufacturer of CFS in Australia. Their products include Stramit Condeck HP®, a lightweight steel decking system commonly used in multi-story buildings.

  • Lysaght: Lysaght is a well-known brand of steel building products in Australia. They offer a range of CFS products, including their LYSAGHT® SMARTRUSS® system, designed for residential and light commercial construction.

  • Metroll: Metroll manufactures CFS products for the construction industry in Australia. Their range includes steel framing, roofing, cladding systems, and other building products.

These are just a few examples of the many brands of cold-formed steel available in Australia. Builders and designers should research the various available brands and products to find the right mix for their designs. 

I hope you now know what is cold formed steel and its benefits in construction. Contact us to leverage the experts here at Australian Steel Framing to work out a bespoke framing solution for your project!

We are Newcastle and Central Coast’s leading steel frame and steel truss suppliers and manufacturers. Our state-of-the-art factory on the Central Coast houses our innovative framing steel technologies. These include a Computer Numerical Controlled steel and metal framing manufacturing plant and various structural steel engineering tools our experienced team uses to design and create our steel framing products.

RECOMMENDED READING:

Why Choose BlueScope's TRUECORE® Steel frames?

Truecore Steel Technical Guide

How Much Do Steel House Frames Cost?

We would happily discuss your options further, don't hesitate to contact us.