Build Smarter with Cold-Formed Steel
Cold-formed steel buildings are rapidly emerging as the preferred choice for contractors, commercial builders, and industrial developers seeking strength, efficiency, and value.
Engineered with precision and prefabricated for streamlined installation, these structures deliver exceptional durability while significantly reducing construction time, labor, and overall project costs.
Cold-Formed vs. Rigid-Frame Steel
Key Advantages of Cold-Formed Steel
Cold-formed buildings are prefabricated and lighter than rigid-frame systems, allowing for
shorter lead times—often weeks versus months for Red Iron structures. Prefabricated framing
and pre-finished accessories simplify installation, reduce build time, and help contractors meet tight schedules.
Unlike Red Iron systems, cold-formed steel framing is typically galvanized, providing a
brighter, cleaner interior appearance while resisting corrosion—ideal for high-humidity or
moisture-prone environments.
Lighter framing reduces foundation requirements. Cold-formed buildings typically utilize a
single-pour thickened edge slab foundation with post-installed anchors, requiring up to 30%
less concrete than rigid-frame structures. Single-pour foundations reduce labor, excavation,
and scheduling con icts, resulting in substantial cost and time savings.
Foundation plans and anchor bolts come standard with cold-formed buildings, eliminating
the need for additional engineering or accessory purchases.
Modern cold-formed buildings offer near-endless customization options, including
standing-seam or gambrel roofs, mezzanines, monitors, and lean-tos. Non-load-bearing
partitions and adaptable framing allow for retail, office, warehouse, or mixed-use layouts, all
while maintaining structural integrity.
The cold-forming process strengthens the steel, enhancing resistance to wind, fire, and
corrosion. Steel is fully recyclable, non-toxic, and an environmentally responsible building
material.
When to Choose Cold-Form vs. Red Iron
Precision Prefabrication for Simplified Installation
Cold-formed steel buildings arrive ready to assemble, with anchor bolts pre-set and framing connections requiring minimal welding or weld fabrication. This results in cleaner job sites, tighter tolerances, and faster project turnover—helping contractors maximize profit margins.
MPI StrongSeam Cold Formed Buildings works with contractors and builders nationwide to design, supply, and support cold-formed steel solutions that meet today’s performance, cost, and sustainability standards. With decades of experience in steel design and prefabrication, we deliver high-quality, durable buildings that are faster to build, lighter to handle, and easier to customize than traditional rigid-frame systems.
