Sustainability & Steel: Benefits & Certifications for Building with Recycled Materials
Steel Door Institute (SDI) was established in 1954 as a non-profit business association that develops standards for steel doors and frames. These standards are available free of charge so architects can ensure quality and consistency of steel doors and frames. SDI members are the only manufacturers that have been audited to ensure they meet our standards.
This course provides a comprehensive overview of steel, including its production process, historical development, and role as a foundational material in modern construction. It covers how steel is made, as well as how manufacturing advances improved efficiency, consistency, and global use over time. A key focus is steel’s recyclability and life cycle. The course examines steel as the most recycled material on Earth. It also explores life cycle thinking and how steel supports circular economy principles that reduce environmental impact in construction. The program also covers types of steel doors and frames, their performance characteristics, along with construction and architectural uses. In addition, it reviews major sustainability certifications and standards by highlighting how steel contributes to healthier, high-performing, sustainable buildings.
- Explain how steel is made and the history of steel production from ancient times to modern day
- Describe the role of recycling in steel making and the advantages of using recycled steel in construction applications
- Discuss the most common types of steel doors and frames and their use
- Discuss the requirements & benefits of Indoor Air Quality certifications from Intertek and UL
- Describe the various types of sustainable building certification programs available such as LEED, International Green Construction Code (IgCC), and the WELL certification program
