SFA Provides Direction on Green Building Using Steel at NAHB Conference

The Steel Framing Alliance (SFA) delivered a presentation at the National Association of Home Builders' (NAHB) 10th annual Green Building Conference in New Orleans on May 13, 2008, to help builders and designers receive the maximum advantage from steel framing and the new proposed National Green Building Standard™. "Going Green With Steel Framing" also marked the first time that the SFA provided guidance at the Green Building Conference on how to successfully incorporate green building requirements into construction projects using cold-formed steel.

In an hour-long session, SFA presenters walked attendees through some of the latest advances in design for sustainable projects that are resistant to mold, insects, and off-gassing. The presentation also covered effective ways to meet energy codes using durable, readily available products without breaking the bank.

Builders continue to face increasingly challenging and rigid design requirements, and the SFA presentation demonstrated that there are more options available to them than traditional building materials. Sustainable steel framing can also successfully meet the many environmental challenges unique to the Gulf Coast.

"There's no question that the Gulf Coast region has to build back safe structures that are capable of withstanding whatever nature throws at us," said Maribeth Rizzuto, SFA's director of training and education. "And what better way to achieve this than to rebuild with a durable product like cold-formed steel that does not contribute fuel to a fire, won't get eaten by termites, does not provide a food source for mold, and can be designed to endure winds exceeding 150 miles per hour." For more information about the SFA's sustainable construction initiatives, contact Maribeth Rizzuto.