Why Don't Builders Use Steel In Nigeria? - Properties

Why Don't Builders Use Steel In Nigeria? - Properties - Nairaland

Nairaland Forum › Nairaland General › Properties › Why Don't Builders Use Steel In Nigeria? (27002 Views)

Why Don't Builders Use Steel In Nigeria? by Aconomist(op): 1:55am On Dec 21, 2020

We all know how common building collapse is in Nigeria, and this occurs because of our bad habit of building multi-storey buildings with concrete. In other parts of the world they are using steel, which is a far superior building material because it is lighter (doesn't put as much strain on the foundation) cheaper than Dangote cement, and requires less maintenance.

While steel needs to be imported, healthy demand would create a market incentive for domestic production. We need to start using creativity to solve our problem in Africa.

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Re: Why Don't Builders Use Steel In Nigeria? by emae009(m): 2:13am On Dec 21, 2020

steel is not "far superior" than concrete. All building materials have both advantages and disadvantages.
One of the reasons has to do with the client. Sometimes before the client even request for a design, he has already purchase masonry blocks and other materials.
But then again Nigerians don't like to challenge themselves. Concrete is the default "comfort zone".
In the case of a net zero carbon emission buildings, Timber is the best alternative

71 Likes 4 Shares

Re: Why Don't Builders Use Steel In Nigeria? by searchng4love: 2:27am On Dec 21, 2020*

emae009:
steel is not "far superior" than concrete. All building materials have both advantages and disadvantages.
One of the reasons has to do with the client. Sometimes before the client even request for a design, he has already purchase masonry blocks and other materials.
But then again Nigerians don't like to challenge themselves. Concrete is the default "comfort zone".
In the case of a net zero carbon emission buildings, Timber is the best alternative

Hehehe timber hahaha timber kwakwakwa.... Ordinary bush burning na im go finish that kain house...
Burnt bricks are far better and cheaper. Uses less cooling energy... The insides are always cool. Perish the timber house idea or the one talking prefabricated structures. I have done my research well into all. The prefabricated structures are cheaper ONLY for mass housing.

67 Likes 4 Shares

Re: Why Don't Builders Use Steel In Nigeria? by Ikengawo: 3:42am On Dec 21, 2020

emae009:
steel is not "far superior" than concrete. All building materials have both advantages and disadvantages.
One of the reasons has to do with the client. Sometimes before the client even request for a design, he has already purchase masonry blocks and other materials.
But then again Nigerians don't like to challenge themselves. Concrete is the default "comfort zone".
In the case of a net zero carbon emission buildings, Timber is the best alternative

Timber that will deforest the world can't be better for carbon emissions. What is actually funny is how big nigerian bricks are. I feel like you can make 5 normal bricks from one nigerian block and cut the cost of cement used down by more than half.

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Re: Why Don't Builders Use Steel In Nigeria? by tollyboy5(m): 3:51am On Dec 21, 2020

We can't use steel for that kind of thing bro. Steel should be use for other stuff. Its a metal alloy and their component metals being excavated.
When it becomes scarce what are we going to do?

Though thats not an excuse for a failed country not to have steel industry

15 Likes

Re: Why Don't Builders Use Steel In Nigeria? by tollyboy5(m): 3:54am On Dec 21, 2020

Ikengawo:
Timber that will deforest the world can't be better for carbon emissions. What is actually funny is how big nigerian bricks are. I feel like you can make 5 normal bricks from one nigerian block and cut the cost of cement used down by more than half.

I'll buy the idea of bricks. But using timber will only encourage tree planting and farming.
People will have farm of timber, and we might end up making the world greener

19 Likes 1 Share

Re: Why Don't Builders Use Steel In Nigeria? by Advision: 4:30am On Dec 21, 2020

I think its down to cost, steel is far more expensive to erect and subsequent modification may cost more.

Moreso, the physical properties of steel makes it an overkill for a typical bungalow or one storey apartment that litter most Nigerian town.

A lot of the high rise building are made of steel and composite materials

79 Likes 6 Shares

Re: Why Don't Builders Use Steel In Nigeria? by ednut1(m): 4:30am On Dec 21, 2020

How is this politics huh

Use steel when building your own house

4 Likes 3 Shares

Re: Why Don't Builders Use Steel In Nigeria? by judetov2(m): 4:30am On Dec 21, 2020

none of my business

Re: Why Don't Builders Use Steel In Nigeria? by Nobody: 4:30am On Dec 21, 2020

Any item Nigerians pick is the cheapest and most durable for its climate..

27 Likes 3 Shares

Re: Why Don't Builders Use Steel In Nigeria? by QualityDesiigns: 4:31am On Dec 21, 2020

Good question.

2 Likes

Re: Why Don't Builders Use Steel In Nigeria? by anochuko01(m): 4:32am On Dec 21, 2020

emae009:
steel is not "far superior" than concrete. All building materials have both advantages and disadvantages.
One of the reasons has to do with the client. Sometimes before the client even request for a design, he has already purchase masonry blocks and other materials.
But then again Nigerians don't like to challenge themselves. Concrete is the default "comfort zone".
In the case of a net zero carbon emission buildings, Timber is the best alternative

While timber is the best, It takes decades for a tree to grow. How then can we be able to keep up with deforestation?

28 Likes 2 Shares

Re: Why Don't Builders Use Steel In Nigeria? by sonnie10: 4:35am On Dec 21, 2020*

It is actually more expensive to build residential houses with steel. From what I have seen, houses with steel frames usually have three layers ; the steel fram, the outer plywood and then brick or pvc siding and the interior sheet rock ( also include the inside wall insulation material).
By the time you add the cost of all these, you see that cement and blocks is more cost effective.

Places that use the steel frame and wood do so mainly because of weather, tornado and earth quake problem. It is safer when the house crumbles and people would not be trapped under the weight of heavy cement blocks. Nigeria has never had that problem.

104 Likes 4 Shares

Re: Why Don't Builders Use Steel In Nigeria? by prinsam30: 4:35am On Dec 21, 2020

emae009:
steel is not "far superior" than concrete. All building materials have both advantages and disadvantages.
One of the reasons has to do with the client. Sometimes before the client even request for a design, he has already purchase masonry blocks and other materials.
But then again Nigerians don't like to challenge themselves. Concrete is the default "comfort zone".
In the case of a net zero carbon emission buildings, Timber is the best alternative

i love this and I'm making effort to achieve this in future, most of the houses I've been to in the united States actually uses timber, even flooring, it was so adoring, amazing and confort to live in

8 Likes

Re: Why Don't Builders Use Steel In Nigeria? by cooooooks(m): 4:37am On Dec 21, 2020

The steel buildings will likely rust in the coastal cities (Lagos, PH, Uyo, etc).

9 Likes 1 Share

Re: Why Don't Builders Use Steel In Nigeria? by n3xt(m): 4:38am On Dec 21, 2020*

In Nigeria, when it comes to choosing the materials to construct a building, most people have cost in the forefront of their mind.

The general assumption of a rational mind is “steel construction is more expensive than the traditional brick and mortar construction.“

However, with the technological advances that have occurred in the building industry over the past decades, there are numerous alternative building solutions that not only save on cost but also allow for creative structural ideas, and innovative builds and designs that weren’t possible in the past.

One such technological advancement is prefab steel construction.

A solution for the creative minds (thinkers) and not for those with fixed mindset (the this-is-how-we-do-it guys)

100 Likes 13 Shares

Re: Why Don't Builders Use Steel In Nigeria? by blackbriar: 4:38am On Dec 21, 2020

Aconomist:
We all know how common building collapse is in Nigeria, and this occurs because of our bad habit of building multi-storey buildings with concrete. In other parts of the world they are using steel, which is a far superior building material because it is lighter (doesn't put as much strain on the foundation) cheaper than Dangote cement, and requires less maintenance.

While steel needs to be imported, healthy demand would create a market incentive for domestic production. We need to start using creativity to solve our problem in Africa.

Steel is not a far superior material than concrete.
Bridges are made of concrete.
Steel has advantage for been light weight and strong and easily bent to any shape. But it's expensive to build with steel. From welding to riveting and even making cuts.
A foundation is meant to carry all loads without burden including concrete and steel.
So if a building collapses ,it's either due to design error or construction error.

22 Likes 2 Shares

Re: Why Don't Builders Use Steel In Nigeria? by haybhi1(m): 4:40am On Dec 21, 2020

Re: Why Don't Builders Use Steel In Nigeria? by donpata(m): 4:42am On Dec 21, 2020*

First things first. Concrete is still used in the West. 2ndly consider cost. Who go start b4 that demand grows and crashes prices? Also, think of comfort of occupants. Nigeria is a "hot" place. Shey nepa go dey give light for cooling? How about the cost of installing cooling components. I ain't an expert but I think in terms of stability, concrete is better. No fear of wind pushing your house, no Need to bother about creaking sounds. More so, if there's a fire, at high temp, what happens to steel? Imagine if I wanna do a little renovation or adjustment, it's easier to just break one side of block work, it's like a cut and join thing. I don't see how using steel will make it easier cos obviously, u need power. The wahala go too much abeg. Ease of getting technicians sef na something also.

27 Likes 2 Shares

Re: Why Don't Builders Use Steel In Nigeria? by Gorillabrain: 4:45am On Dec 21, 2020

In my village nothing like dangote cement becox we used iroko tree to build house including two story building. Longlast since 1889 till now. Why dangote kno go sell 1bag of cement 5,000 naira. Nigerians should switch to timber not cement for solid everlasting life.

10 Likes 1 Share

Re: Why Don't Builders Use Steel In Nigeria? by MrImole: 4:46am On Dec 21, 2020

I do not like to lie, I don't know.

1 Like

Re: Why Don't Builders Use Steel In Nigeria? by Flexherbal(m): 4:49am On Dec 21, 2020

emae009:
steel is not "far superior" than concrete. All building materials have both advantages and disadvantages.
One of the reasons has to do with the client. Sometimes before the client even request for a design, he has already purchase masonry blocks and other materials.
But then again Nigerians don't like to challenge themselves. Concrete is the default "comfort zone".

Re: Why Don't Builders Use Steel In Nigeria? by endsarrrs(f): 4:51am On Dec 21, 2020

Not all builders. Matter of fact SOME building coy use steel. Tho NOT much.

1 Like

Re: Why Don't Builders Use Steel In Nigeria? by GeneralPula: 4:53am On Dec 21, 2020

Buildings built with steel can’t be as energetic as wth concrete..

Concrete retains heat better.. Make heat no go kill person wey use steel oo.

When it comes to repairing, you going to spend more compare with concrete..

6 Likes

Re: Why Don't Builders Use Steel In Nigeria? by chrisxxx(m): 4:58am On Dec 21, 2020

Gorillabrain:
In my village nothing like dangote cement becox we used iroko tree to build house including two story building. Longlast since 1889 till now. Why dangote kno go sell 1bag of cement 5,000 naira. Nigerians should switch to timber not cement for solid everlasting life.

Is your village in Sierra Leone?

2 Likes 2 Shares

Re: Why Don't Builders Use Steel In Nigeria? by KolaShangOne(m): 5:05am On Dec 21, 2020

Experts come and answer o..

Re: Why Don't Builders Use Steel In Nigeria? by ceaser: 5:06am On Dec 21, 2020

Gorillabrain:
In my village nothing like dangote cement becox we used iroko tree to build house including two story building. Longlast since 1889 till now. Why dangote kno go sell 1bag of cement 5,000 naira. Nigerians should switch to timber not cement for solid everlasting life.

In those days, timber is much more reliable to use in Nigeria for obvious reasons. The woods were harvested when mature. I have seen a number of old buildings with their stairs and decks made of wood and these structures hodk solidly even after several years.

However nowadays, Nigerian lumberjacks will supply you with useless wood that termite will destroy within one year. Even they cannot be sincere with the common woods being supplied for roofing and nogging let alone the whole building.

If Nigerian builders can supply you with inferior bricks, cement and all sundry, why won't they do the same with timber for construction.

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