As property management professionals, knowledge of building structures is essential for explaining properties to residents and making proposals to owners. Understand the features, advantages, and disadvantages of light-gauge steel apartment buildings so that you can provide accurate advice.
What kind of building structure is light-gauge steel construction?
Light-gauge steel construction is a building structure that uses steel members with a thickness of 6 mm or less for the building framework. In terms of functionality and construction cost, it sits between wooden construction and reinforced concrete construction.
- Commonly adopted in homes built by major house manufacturers
- The prefabricated construction method, in which components are manufactured in factories, shortens the construction period
- Used not only for detached houses but also for two-story apartment buildings
- The difference from heavy steel construction (6 mm or more) lies in the thickness of the steel members
What are the advantages of light-gauge steel construction?
Understand the advantages that management staff can explain to residents.
Excellent earthquake resistance
Because steel frames are less likely to break, they offer earthquake resistance that exceeds wooden construction. The risk of building collapse is low, and they also meet the seismic standards of the Building Standards Act.
Rent may be kept more affordable
Because the construction cost can be reduced through the prefabricated method, there are cases where rent can be set lower accordingly. This makes it a cost-effective option for residents.
Less likely to attract insects
Compared with wooden construction, it has a structure in which insects are less likely to appear. This is an effective point when proposing properties to residents who are uncomfortable with insects.
What are the disadvantages of light-gauge steel construction and the management precautions to keep in mind?
Correctly communicating the disadvantages and proposing appropriate countermeasures is part of the role of management professionals.
Fire resistance is lower than that of wooden construction
Steel members are prone to deformation when exposed to heat, so fire resistance is lower than that of wooden construction. In recent years, improvements have progressed through the use of fireproof covering materials, but residents still need reminders to handle fire carefully.
There are challenges with sound insulation
Although it performs better than wooden construction, it does not reach the level of RC construction. Because there is a risk of noise-related trouble, it is important before move-in to explain soundproofing measures and confirm any history of past issues.
What should be checked when introducing a property?
These are the points that management staff should confirm and explain to residents.
- Check whether there have been any past noise-related issues in the property ledger
- During the viewing, advise them to tap the walls and check the resonance (a higher sound indicates lower sound insulation)
- Understand the household composition of the residents above, below, and on both sides
- Propose the use of soundproofing products
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the service life of light-gauge steel construction?
The statutory useful life is 19 to 27 years (depending on the thickness of the steel members), but with proper maintenance, many properties remain in use for more than 30 years.
Is light-gauge steel construction weak against earthquakes?
No. It meets the seismic standards of the Building Standards Act, and the risk of building collapse is low because of the toughness of the steel frame. Tremors may be transmitted more easily, but structural safety is secured.
What is effective for noise control?
Soundproof mats, soundproof curtains, and wall-mounted soundproof panels can all be introduced easily. Some properties use materials with high soundproofing performance, so please check with the real estate company.
