Are Steel Frame Homes A Good Idea In Oregon?
Steel frame homes are gaining in popularity in Oregon and for good reason. They are efficient to build. There is little to no waste. They are super green because they use recycled steel. They are increase safety since they are fire and earthquake resistant. And finally, a steel frame homes costs about the same to build as a wood framed house.

So why aren’t more homes in Oregon being built this way? It’s hard to say why more steel framed homes are not being built but here are some ideas as to why this is happening. This is a relatively new industry. It takes time to get people interested, educated or even aware that a product like this exists. But, once people see it and the benefits that it brings with it they want to build one.

Contractors are not out promoting this product because all they have ever known is wood. Wood is good in their eyes and steel is treading on their turf. But most contractors would want to switch to steel once they saw how easy it was to build with.

Financing has also been an issue. This one has come around recently though and is making getting a construction loan on steel frame homes much easier. Prior to having financing available people would need to pay cash. Paying cash obviously reduces the number of people that could buy and build one of these homes.

The conspiracy theorists in the steel home building world will tell you its because the big lumber and timber executives have the governments ears. Others would say that it is because insurance companies don’t want these homes because they like fires, the same with fireman. The fact of the matter is that steel framing for homes in Oregon is here to stay. It is growing every year. And quite frankly it is a matter of time until it replaces wood built homes. The energy efficiency and the impacts on the environment are to big to be ignored.

For example:
• Steel built homes on average save 40%-50% on utility costs.
• Depending on the size of the home it recycles 3-5 cars out of the junk yard.
• They save anywhere between 3 to 6 truck loads of logs. 
• Harvesting wood for housing produces over seven times the greenhouse gas emissions of steel.

The facts and benefits of steel frame homes in Oregon could go on for pages. But with just these four simple facts you quickly understand that massive benefits a steel home provides. If you are thinking about building a home, you really need to take a hard look at building it out of steel.