Parametric Design

EcoSteel uses an exclusive combination of parametric engineering, design and detailing programs that are embedded in AutoCAD^®. This format allows for ease of collaboration and communication between all aspects of the design and construction phase.

Our pre-engineered steel modeling technology accelerates the creation of 3D elevations and floor plan views, along with construction plans, fabrication drawings, and NC files for automated production.

The objective of utilizing this innovative design technology is to reduce drafting time and fabrication errors caused by having to make multiple corrections and additions to multiple drawing files, which is common with most any project operating in a CAD environment.

EcoSteel is one of the few companies in the world to utilize a 3D parametric design platform in a pre-engineered steel system. The definition of parametric design technology refers to the inclusion of parametric data embedded within 3D objects (i.e., all the parameters, such as height, depth, thicknesses, weight, etc.). This three-dimensional spacial design approach gives the X-Y-Z coordinates for all plan sheets and truly delivers intelligent modeling capabilities.

This cutting edge design approach uses a revolutionary interface in which the designer begins each project with a 3D model instead of a 2D drawing. The objective of utilizing this new technology is to reduce drafting time and fabrication errors caused by having to make multiple corrections and additions to multiple drawing files, which is common with most any project operating in a CAD environment.

Using this technology, our approach is to design exclusively with pre-engineered steel building components. We offer a superior platform of building information management combined with cutting edge engineering and construction technology. This dynamic approach of automated shop specs and construction plans drastically reduces costly errors in the fabrication and construction phase.

Green Building

EcoSteel's mission is to protect Earth's natural resources by providing eco-friendly building systems that increase public awareness of environmental responsibility.

Steel is an unlimited resource. It's also one of the strongest, most durable and economically manufactured materials on earth. At EcoSteel, we do not use lumber or petroleum based products in any of our building systems. As a matter of choice, no rare or endangered plants or materials are included in any part of our designs.

We're proud that the overall recycling rate in the steel industry is over 75%, the highest of any industry in the country. And there's typically only 2% waste in steel construction, versus 20% waste found with wood construction.

EcoSteel Building Systems provide a green building solution for projects that are seeking LEED certification or are governed by stringent energy code requirements. Energy codes are designed to set minimum standards for design and construction and can significantly reduce building system life-cycle costs while serving as a positive driver for adoption of energy-efficient building technologies.

EcoSteel offers a nationwide network of certified steel erectors to provide consistent quality throughout the building system. We also minimize the use of fuel consumption during shipment with 13 primary shipping points across the U.S. Local supply locations and recycled content receive added credit for projects that are seeking LEED certification.

EcoSteel is a member of the US Green Building Council and is a leading force of prefabricated energy-efficient building technologies. We are continually challenging traditional building methods and utilizing new technologies. Today, our patent-pending EcoSteel Building System is superior in every practical way to traditional construction methods and materials.

Why Steel?

Steel possesses the highest strength to weight ratio of any building material being utilized today. It remains one of the strongest, most durable and economically manufactured materials. No wonder 80% of all commercial buildings are constructed with steel as the primary structure.

Stronger, straighter, non-combustible, longer lasting and many other characteristics contribute to the undeniable superiority of steel as a building material.

• Inorganic—does not rot, mold, warp, split, crack or creep
• Fire Resistant—will not contribute to the spread of a fire
• Termite Proof—bugs can't bite it
  
• Consistent Quality—steel is produced in strict accordance with national standards and no regional variations and inconsistencies
• Less Waste—2% in steel versus 20% or more in wood construction
• Square Corners Stay Squared—windows and doors open and close as they should, energy efficiency is increased with a tight building envelope
  
• Lightweight—steel is 60% of the weight of wood framing making it easier to transport and handle

In addition, the steel industry continues to reign as king of the recyclables and remains the most recycled material in North America. In April 2006, the Steel Recycling Institute (SRI) announced that the recycling rate for the world's and America's most recycled material—steel—increased to 75.7 percent in the United States in 2005. This reflects a five percentage point increase in the recycling rate and the highest rate ever recorded in the United States.

Over 76 million tons of steel scrap found its way to end markets rather than landfills. The number one raw material consumed by the steel industry is steel scrap.

The EcoSteel Advantage

The EcoSteel Building System beats traditional construction methods in every practical way:

• Superior Strength—Steel has the highest strength-to-weight ratio of any building material. It’s flexible, straight, non-porous, durable, dimensionally stable and lightweight. Specifically, EcoSteel ensures decades of maintenance-free, energy efficient comfort and safety.
  
• Low-Maintenance—Unlike conventional building materials, steel doesn’t rot, warp, decompose, split or fall victim to natural pests. And EcoSteel is specially treated to avoid rust.
  
• Mold-Resistant—EcoSteel practically eliminates the possibility of mold growth and the related health risks found in some buildings built with conventional materials.
  
• Fire-Resistant—EcoSteel significantly reduces the fire hazards posed by the many combustible materials common in most homes today. Insurance rates may be reduced by using fire resistant structural materials such as steel.
  
• Energy-Efficient—Unlike wood, steel framing doesn’t crack due to shrinking or warping. And EcoSteel’s frames and steel-insulated panels meet or exceed governmental energy-efficiency standards. Our tongue-and-groove design creates a continuous, insulated cocoon, preventing the air leaks that result in costly energy loss. The R-24 "whole wall performance" of a standard EcoSteel 3" IP is more than 2.5 times higher than a timber framed 2x4 batt insulated wall.
  
• Extreme Weather Conditions—With drastic temperature swings and high winds or earthquakes, EcoSteel stands strong. We’ve even designed a line of homes engineered to withstand over a 150 MPH wind load, exceeding one of the toughest building codes in the US: Miami/Dade, Florida.
  

System Specifications

An EcoSteel building has three primary components.

• Steel Frame—All EcoSteel Building Systems are pre-cut, pre-drilled and numbered for rapid on-site assembly. Our clear-span curtain wall structure eliminates the need for load-bearing interior walls, freeing up space and enabling creative, cutting-edge designs.
  
• Insulated Wall and Roof Panels—Our steel-paneled structures are suitable for even the most extreme climates. Our interlocking tongue-and-groove system provides superior energy efficiency and eliminates thermal gaps present in conventional construction.
  
• Windows and Doors—All EcoSteel designs include high-quality, energy-efficient exterior windows and doors, which are critical components of a buildings' overall insulation rating.

EcoSteel Building Systems offer the world's finest pre-engineered steel building systems. This means you get the construction blueprints plus all the materials you need to complete your project to the "dried-in" stage. The steel roof screws on, exterior steel wall panels are then installed and the windows and exterior doors slide into place for attachment. The EcoSteel Building System will be structurally sound, weatherproof and secure. You can then finish the interior.

Our building packages utilize only premium grade commercial steel. All steel components are processed through our partner network of manufacturing plants. Every design is optimized to minimize waste. Our steel framing and panels are manufactured with Computer Aided Design (CAD) operated production lines to provide superior straightness and strength. Our windows are low maintenance, energy efficient products that meet or exceed all NFRC and CSA standards and carry up to a 10 year warranty. Our roofing and wall materials carry factory warranties of up to 20-50 years depending on product selected.

The EcoSteel building package includes the following:

• Pre-engineered building house design
• Complete set of assembly drawings including anchor bolt layout and details
• All structural materials required to build to "dried-in" stage
• Roofing materials
• Exterior wall panels in a choice of striated steel or drivit embossed "stucco look" finish
• Low maintenance windows
• Exterior doors
• All trim, screws, sealant tape, etc.
• All necessary structural components including columns, rafters, roof purlins, bolts and fasteners to construct the primary structural components

A complete System Technical Specification is available as a PDF for download (780 Kb).

We have used our vast construction experience to eliminate the most common site specific problems. EcoSteel Building Systems start with cutting edge designs and quality steel materials. EcoSteel delivers on time, on site and on-budget—which helps to streamline the building process.

Contact Us

We encourage you to learn all you can about EcoSteel Building Systems on the LiveModern website (see the related items below). After you have reviewed our materials, there are several ways to contact us about EcoSteel, depending on your level of interest:

• Partner Architects—for architects that want to partner with EcoSteel to design building solutions for multiple custom home and multi-family projects.

• Multi-Family Projects—for multiple-unit projects with shared structural and infrastructure elements.
• Custom Homes—for single family projects, or developments of single family homes.