How well does steel framing stand up to earthquakes or hurricanes?

CFS can be engineered to meet the highest seismic and wind loads prescribed by the NZ Building Code. Steel has the highest strength to weight ratio of any framing materials. A lighter structure with stronger connections results in lower damage from earthquakes. Steel framed houses in Christchurch suffered superficial but no structural damage during the recent earthquakes. Using stronger connections (i.e. screws over nails) can further assist house to withstand greater winds, including cyclones.