Looking for the ‘best steel for house construction’?
We totally understand the struggle – with a focus on pure durability, safety, and flexibility, you may need to look for a steel that checks all the above boxes. And what fits your budget, too.
In this article, we delve into in-depth information on the best steel for construction and thoroughly cover:
- the most suitable type (mainly TMT bars) and grade of steel for building a house.
- recommend steel brands that are trusted and widely used in the Indian construction industry.
- provide guidance on grades (such as Fe 415, Fe 500, and Fe 550) and how to verify steel quality before purchase.
- share key properties such as strength, corrosion resistance, ductility, and compliance with Indian standards.
Join us as we explain which steel is best for home construction.
But before we begin, if you’re someone who loves to keep tabs on what’s happening in the world of construction and infrastructure, keep visiting NYGGS. You’ll also get informative blogs on how the latest technologies, such as construction ERP software, AI/ML, robotics, or drones, are transforming this industry.
Now let’s start from the top!
Types of Steel Used in House Construction
NYGGS would mention five general types of steel based on their chemical composition, manufacturing processes, and various other factors. Those are:
1. TMT Steel or TMT Bars
These bars are the most popular in modern house construction. Its full name is thermo-mechanically treated bars, meaning heat has the major role in its manufacturing process. TMT bars abilities include flexibility and resistance to rust and earthquakes, which makes them the ‘best steel for house construction’.
2. TMX Steel
THERMEX steel bar, also abbreviated as TMX steel, is called the ‘New Generation Bar.’ It is manufactured using German ‘THERMEX’ technology, which makes it superior to TMT bars in properties like heat, fire, corrosion, and earthquake resistance ability. In addition, Thermex bars have better ductility, weldability, and bendability properties as compared to standard TMT bars.
3. Stainless Steel
Composed of corrosion-resistive metals like chromium, iron, and carbon, stainless steel is also known as CRS (Corrosion-Resistant Steel). Today, this type of steel is used to construct various parts of houses.
4. Low-carbon Steel (Mild Steel Bars)
Among other alloys, this type of steel has as low as 0.15% and 0.25% carbon content; therefore, we call it mild steel or low-carbon steel. Not appreciated for strength and durability, but is a cost-effective option for temporary structure construction.
5. Structural Steel
Structural steel owes its name to its application, mainly the manufacture of structures for both buildings and machinery.
TMT Bars – Best Steel for House Construction
Steel is one of the most sustainable, easily available material to use in construction. And the form of steel—TMT bars—is very corrosion resistant; it is weldable, very ductile (when bent or cut, the structure is not damaged), and has high deformability before the breaking point. All of these characteristics make TMT bars a preferred choice for house construction in India. Let’s look at some other advantages of TMT steel bars:
- TMT or TMX bars are very resistant to corrosion, and this property makes them the best steel for house construction in humid areas.
- Steel TMT bars are very durable, so you can expect your house to remain in good condition for many years (probably for 50 years).
- 93% of TMT steel is recyclable, meaning it can be reused almost entirely without loss of quality. This is the primary quality consideration that makes TMT bars the best steel for house construction.
- Better than recycling, reusing is always the option because it doesn’t require extra energy. When dismantling a house, there are many possibilities for using the TMT bars in their original form and condition.
- A TMT bar frame or its components —beams, columns, sheets, panels— are removable and transportable and can be reused in other homes.
- Steel has the best strength-to-weight ratio. That is, with a smaller amount of steel TMTs, you achieve the great strength that can, therefore, hold greater weight.
Steel Grades: Fe 415 vs. Fe 500 vs. Fe 500D vs. Fe 550
Steel grades help us ensure that the right steel is chosen for the specific application—in our case, house construction. To many, these grades tell us the chemical compositions and properties of different types of steel.
Steel grades are classified differently in Indian house construction. Why? Because of the vast breadth and depth of varying geography needs. Meaning, if the Himalayas region needs one type of steel that is earthquake resistant, it may not be the best choice for plain regions. So, with a focus on house construction and TMT bars, let’s take a look at different grades of the best steel for house construction widely used in India.
Fe 415:
A popular grade for residential construction that offers higher elongation properties and comes with great corrosion resistance. Its cost-effectiveness makes it the best choice for small house constructions.
Fe 500:
An all-around grade that is widely considered the best steel for house construction. Fe 500 steel bars have good stability and elasticity and are corrosion resistant, which makes them a preferred choice.
Fe 500D:
A ductile variant of Fe 500 that provides high seismic security from earthquakes and other natural calamities.
Fe 550 and Fe 600:
Higher grades with superior strength and ductility are often used in heavy-duty constructions like expressways, marine constructions, and metro projects. It can also withstand harsh weather conditions.
Top Steel Brands in India for House Construction
The top 10 trusted brands for the best steel for house construction in India are:
How to Verify Brand Authenticity?
To verify the authenticity of TMT bars, you should look for:
- Mandatory BIS certification mark (ISI mark) on the bars.
- The ISI mark that indicates the bars have undergone rigorous testing and meet the required quality specifications. (Typically IS:1786)
- Distinct brand markings that are clearly embossed or rolled onto the surface.
- A consistent and precise rib pattern design is important for ensuring optimal bonding with concrete.
- A material test report from the supplier. This report should comply with the relevant Indian Standard specifications for TMT bars (IS: 1786).
- Trusted brands as they prioritize quality and provide certifications, so always purchase from reputable companies.
Best Steel for House Construction FAQs
Q. What is the lifespan of TMT bars?
TMT bars last around 50 to 70 years, according to multiple answers on the internet. Of course, this is quite the range, but steel’s life span depends on numerous factors, including quality, varying temperatures, loads, earthquakes, and moisture vulnerability.
Q. Can I mix different steel grades in construction?
Yes, as long as both types meet the same strength and quality standards. Let us make a clarification here: if you mix high-strength steel with lower-strength steel by welding, it can lead to distortion. Also, mixing different TMT grades can increase the risk of corrosion and can negatively impact the strength of the overall house structure.
Q. How to check if steel is ISI-certified?
It’s easy – when choosing steel bars, just look for the ISI certification marked on them.
Q. What is the best steel for house construction - imported or Indian steel?
Imported steel may seem cheaper at first impression but may have quality issues. Conversely, Indian steel, while generally more expensive, is known for its superior quality, as they have to adhere to stringent standards like BIS.
Q. What size TMT bars are best for foundations?
8mm to 12mm bars are commonly used for residential buildings and small-scale construction foundation works.
Also Read: Types of Foundation in Construction