Steel frame home

Hi. I am new to the forum. I am very interested in steel frame home, which I notice are quote frequently featured on the Dwell (e.g. On a Rock in April/May 2005 Dwell). Unfortunately, steel frame is rather uncommon in East Europe to say the least. Here 99% of homes are either bricks/concrete or wooden. Thus simply there is no experience and knowledge with this kind of construction.
What I am most puzzled is what kind of ceiling/floor construction (between 1 and 2 storey), as well as roof, is most pertinent for the steel frame? My constructor is suggesting cast concrete, however this would make the whole contruction really heavy and fairly expensive, therefore I am hesitant.
SIP panels are intended to be used for the walls.
I would be very interested in your experience with steel frame.
Thanks a lot for your advice.

Mindaugas

Traditionally framed floor joists and ceiling rafters can be executed in steel just as well as in wood (better probably). The weight of a second story poured concrete floor would make the first story framing exceptionally expensive. Steel framing members are available not only in standard dimensions (2x4, 2x6, 2x8 etc.) but in many thickness guages in order to support a variety of loads. One of the efficiencies of steel is that you don't have to use any more material than you need. However, you do need an Architect and/or Engineer to tell you what those needs are. I also believe that SIP panels used as walls would be load bearing themselves.

In the U.S. there is a publication called the "Prescriptive Method for Residential Cold-Formed Steel Framing". Your builder should study this or a similar document before taking on a steel framing project.

Remember, all steel is at least 25% recycled