Oct 16 2003
AK Steel Corp., based in Middletown, Ohio, has opened the doors on their vision for the future. The home took two years to build and is located in a relatively inhospitable area north west of Los Angeles. Not only is the area regularly rattled by earthquakes, it is also often threatened by fast moving fires and plagued by termites. There are also moulds and other microbial activity that play havoc with a happy home.
The 11,000-square-foot house is predominantly constructed from steel with it used in everything from the frame to the roof, doors and stair rails. Some of the steel itself is also something new. They have used a new "anti-microbial" steel with a germ-resistant coating for appliances, ceilings, door handles and air ducts.
AK's anti-microbial steel has already been used in duct work in an area where mould development was of concern at Atlanta's Woodward Academy. It has also been installed in a bone-marrow transplant centre near Los Angeles to ensure a germ-free environment.
Studies indicate that around 85% of infectious diseases are spread by touch and steel covered with germ-free coatings is essentially self-disinfecting. Steel is also termite resistant and so there is no need for the chemicals used for treating termite infestations.
Currently only about 5 percent of U.S. homes contain steel framing although it is extremely popular in commercial construction. The use of steel in homes is increasing though with industry reports from the Steel Framing Alliance saying that steel studs and other framing materials used in homes increased more than 70 percent in 2002.
Source: Pest Control Technology Online