Architectural Styles and Advantages Shaped by Structural Steel Trusses
What’s the first thing that comes to your mind when someone mentions steel trusses? Industrial halls, warehouses, and things like that, right?! Well, they have a much wider application than you think and they reached their peak when people started fitting them into living spaces.
Although steel sounds like something strong (which it is), you need to be very careful when installing and follow certain building codes to do it right.
That’s why you’ve got us researching everything you need to know about architectural styles that incorporate trusses and how to strike a balance between regulations and aesthetics.
3 Key Architectural Styles Benefiting From Steel Trusses
Structural steel trusses give you a big advantage in layout planning because you can use them to get open spaces without compromising stability. Also, they can fit into the style of decoration better than you think.
1. Industrial and Modern Style
In industrial and modern decoration styles, exposed materials (or even exposed brick in the walls) are an integral part of the aesthetics. Structural steel trusses play 2 key roles in minimalistic open spaces – functionality and aesthetics. Because of the trusses, you will need fewer supporting walls, which is great if you want to achieve open spaces without obstacles. This style emphasizes the materials and their importance.
If we talk about regulations, there is no compromise because the most important thing is safety, because of which the strict load-bearing standards must be met due to the range of surfaces they cover. The engineers even plan possible upgrades in advance and increase the load capacity so that you don’t have a problem later. It is crucial to arrange the trusses well so that all parts are equally safe and according to regulations.
2. Contemporary Farmhouse Style
This style actually combines rustic charm and modern functionality. In the classic farmhouse style, you’ll usually see wooden elements predominate, while here they have modernized it a bit with steel to create a contrast with natural materials (wood or stone). This is how you get a welcoming design style with modern elements and durability.
Actually, the only challenge in this style is the arrangement of the trusses due to the open floor plan and large windows. There is a precisely defined maximum truss span that must be respected. It is not bad to mention here that in addition to meeting these regulations, anti-fire regulations must be respected, due to which steel trusses in residential spaces must be coated with a fire-resistant coating.
3. Mid-Century Modern
Features of this style are open plan, clean lines, and long-lasting materials – just like steel trusses. As in modern style, the most recognizable are open spaces with high ceilings and an unobstructed view of the majority of the house, which is achieved by these trusses. It gives that recognizable impression of a ‘mid-century house’. Additionally, the use of steel trusses complements large glass windows and minimalist decor, allowing natural light to flood the space, enhancing the open and airy feel. This architectural approach not only resonates with mid-century aesthetics but is also becoming increasingly popular in luxury housing, notably in the premium segment. Villas in Dubai market insights suggest that many high-end properties are incorporating similar modern design elements to cater to discerning buyers seeking both style and functionality in their homes.
Even then, a lot of attention was paid to stability, especially in areas prone to earthquakes or strong winds. Additional reinforcements are installed in these areas so that the houses can withstand demanding weather conditions. You should definitely consult with structural engineers to decide which is the best option for you and your area of residence.
3 Advantages of Structural Steel Trusses across Styles
No matter what style you will decorate your space with, steel trusses have many advantages for both functionality and design in living spaces.
1. Strength and Durability
One of the most significant advantages of structural steel trusses is their exceptional strength and durability. Unlike natural materials (e.g., wood, stone), steel is resistant to rotting and pests so it’s an excellent option in construction, or more precisely for the structure of buildings. It is so resistant that it can even withstand certain damages, heavy loads, and different weather conditions. And all this without frequent maintenance or changes.
2. Design Flexibility
The design of the steel trusses is adaptable so it is easy to fit them into different styles of decoration (as we have mentioned above). Steel can be formed and produced in different shapes so it is easy to fit it into both residential and commercial spaces. With a little bit of your imagination and vision, steel trusses will give uniqueness to any space.
3. Sustainability
When sustainable materials are mentioned, hardly anyone actually thinks about steel. But! At the end of “its working life” in a building, steel can be recycled or repurposed which perfectly fits into the ecology.
Steel is one of the most recycled materials globally because it can be recycled repeatedly without losing its inherent strength and quality.
The use of steel trusses extends the life of the building which also contributes to sustainability.
Final Thoughts
We think it is unnecessary to talk about how widely used steel can be and how long its durability actually is. That’s why steel trusses are the right choice if you want a high-quality, stable house. If you want a small change in the arrangement of the space, feel free to leave them uncovered and exposed, as they will certainly attract attention and be the topic of conversation.
Just don’t forget to respect the strict regulations when it comes to building stability and safety. Although sometimes the aesthetics take us away, the main thing is the functionality.
