Steel Framing Construction

What is Steel Framing?

Steel framing in Panama is an industrialized dry construction system. It is not a structure of steel profiles to which something is added on top—it is a fully integrated, multilayered system, defined and calculated from the beginning of the project.

A well-executed system includes:

  • Structural galvanized steel profiles
  • Rock wool (thermal and acoustic insulation)
  • OSB Panels (structural bracing)
  • USG Wallboards (Interior Sheathing)
  • Waterproofing membrane
  • EIFS exterior finish, stone, wood, or any finish the project requires

 

Each layer has a specific technical function. Steel isn't sold by the kilogram. An engineering system is sold.

Steel Framing Construction in Panama — Dry Construction Without Concrete Unic Rotarex
Steel Framing Structure Installation Panama — galvanized steel profiles Unic Rotarex industrial building
Steel Framing Galvanized Steel Profiles - Somundy Construction System - Portland Oregon

A different life experience

No dampness, no mold, no condensation. The waterproofing membrane and the absence of thermal bridges prevent condensation—and with it, mold. An endemic problem in the tropics that disappears with well-executed Steel Framing.

Real silence. Rock wool between the profiles provides much superior acoustic insulation compared to conventional concrete.

Stable temperature. A Steel Framing wall offers 2.5 times more thermal resistance than an equivalent masonry wall. Less reliance on air conditioning — lower energy consumption.

Design without limits. Lights of up to 12 meters and buildings of up to 6 stories—opening architectural possibilities that traditional construction cannot offer.

 

Technical advantages

  • Work up to 50% faster than traditional construction
  • Budget finalized — all materials calculated before starting work, with no waste or unforeseen expenses
  • Earthquake-resistant structure — widely adopted in Chile and Japan after major earthquakes
  • Resistance to strong winds and hurricanes
  • No termites or pests — galvanized steel is not food for any pest
  • Lifespan exceeding 70 years with minimal maintenance
  • 10-year structural warranty

Sustainability

Steel framing is one of the construction systems with the lowest environmental impact available today:

Lower CO₂ emissions. Cement manufacturing is responsible for up to 8% of global CO₂ emissions. Dry construction removes concrete from the structure — significantly reducing the project's carbon footprint.

Work without water. Traditional construction requires large amounts of water for concrete curing. Steel framing is 100% dry construction—with practically no water consumption on site.

Up to 70% less waste. By accurately calculating all materials before starting construction, waste is eliminated. Less waste, less impact on the environment.

100% recyclable. Galvanized steel profiles are fully recyclable at the end of their service life. Over 98% of structural steel is recovered and reused—the world's most recycled construction material.

40-60% less energy consumption A well-insulated Steel Framing home reduces climate control expenses by between 40% and 60% compared to conventional construction—an impact that lasts for the entire life of the building.

Compatible with LEED certifications and Passive House projects.

Our industrial partner: TERMOSTEEL

Our Steel Framing components are manufactured under the brand Termosteel, exclusively licensed by Somundy Enterprises Inc. USA — founding company of CFSEI in 1994, with production units in the USA, Mexico, Colombia, Ecuador, Chile, Brazil, Portugal, and Spain.

XLAM Panama is the exclusive representative of Termosteel for Steel Framing construction in Panama.

Discover TERMOSTEEL

Steel Framing: a system that demands real engineering

Using steel framing in Panama seems simple—metal profiles that are assembled. In reality, it is one of the most demanding systems in terms of design, calculation, and execution.

Before installing the first profile, the project must be fully defined: structural calculation, exact specification of each layer of the multilayer system, profile dimensioning, thermal bridge management, waterproofing solutions. An error in the engineering phase is paid for on site – and in the building's lifespan.

Poorly designed or poorly executed steel framing generates the same pathologies as the traditional construction it aims to overcome: dampness, mold, water infiltration, and loss of energy efficiency. It also adds its own risks: insufficient gauge profiles that generate structural noise, poorly resolved joints, and thermal bridges due to detail errors.

The difference between premium and deficient steel framing is not in where the profiles are manufactured—it's in the quality of the engineering project and the experience of the team executing it.

For your Steel Framing projects in Panama, choose your partner wisely!

Steel Framing Housing Panama — precision industrialized construction Unic Rotarex

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