Columbia Light Gauge Steel Framing Market Overview, 2030

The Colombian light gauge steel framing market has witnessed a remarkable transformation over the past two decades, evolving from a niche construction methodology to a mainstream building solution that addresses the country's unique geographical and economic challenges. The evolution of this market began in the early two thousands when Colombia's construction industry started recognizing the limitations of traditional concrete and masonry construction methods, particularly in regions prone to seismic activity along the Pacific Ring of Fire. Key manufacturing hubs have developed strategically throughout Colombia, with the most significant concentrations located in the industrial corridors surrounding Bogotá, Medellín, and the Caribbean coast region. The Bogotá area hosts several major fabrication facilities that serve both domestic and regional export markets, benefiting from the capital's central location and transportation infrastructure. Medellín's manufacturing cluster has focused on innovative production techniques and has become a center for research and development in cold-formed steel applications. The Caribbean coast region, particularly around Barranquilla, has developed manufacturing capabilities that serve both domestic markets and export opportunities to other Latin American countries. Investment trends in production capacity and technology upgrades have reflected the market's growing maturity and confidence in long-term demand. The Colombian Building Code, known as NSR-10, provides the fundamental regulatory framework governing light gauge steel framing applications. This comprehensive building code incorporates seismic design requirements that are particularly relevant for steel framing applications, given Colombia's location in a seismically active region. The NSR-10 code establishes specific structural requirements for cold-formed steel construction, including load-bearing calculations, connection specifications, and fire resistance requirements that must be met for both residential and commercial applications.

According to the research report ""Colombia Light Gauge Steel Framing Market Outlook, 2030,"" published by Bonafide Research, the Colombia Light Gauge Steel Framing market was valued at more than USD 170 Million in 2024. International steel companies have established strong footholds in Colombia through strategic acquisitions of local manufacturing facilities, bringing global expertise and capital investment to enhance production capabilities and market reach. These acquisitions have typically involved established international players purchasing Colombian companies with existing customer relationships and local market knowledge, creating synergies that benefit both production efficiency and market penetration. Strategic partnerships between Colombian construction companies and international light gauge steel framing specialists have created opportunities for technology transfer and market development, with notable joint ventures including the partnership between Constructora Colpatria and Canadian steel framing company Bailey Metal Products for developing affordable housing solutions in Bogotá, the collaboration between Grupo Empresarial Antioqueño and American manufacturer Nuconsteel for establishing manufacturing facilities in Medellín's industrial zone, and the strategic alliance between Corona and Brazilian steel specialist Usiminas for producing galvanized steel components specifically adapted to Colombia's humid coastal climate conditions. Colombian tax policy includes various incentives for construction activities that support economic development and housing objectives, creating opportunities for cost optimization in appropriate applications. Logistics considerations add complexity to pricing structures, with transportation costs varying significantly based on project location and the challenging topography that characterizes much of Colombia's interior regions. Export opportunities have emerged as Colombian manufacturers develop expertise and capacity that serves regional Latin American markets. Export activities focus primarily on neighboring countries with similar construction requirements and climatic conditions, creating opportunities for regional market expansion. Policy updates affecting adoption include revised building codes that recognize the performance advantages of light gauge steel framing, environmental regulations that favor sustainable construction materials, and housing policy initiatives that support efficient construction methods for affordable housing development.

In Colombia, the adoption of Light Gauge Steel Framing is steadily increasing, driven by the need for faster construction, seismic resilience, and cost-efficient alternatives to traditional materials. Among the structural types, wall bearing steel framing remains the most widely used across the country. Its simplicity, low cost, and suitability for low-rise buildings make it especially popular in residential and social housing projects. Many developers prefer this system in rural and suburban areas where speed and affordability are prioritized, and where architectural layouts are straightforward. Urbanization in cities like Bogotá, Medellín, and Cali is shifting the focus toward more adaptable structural systems. This is where skeleton steel framing is gaining momentum. As demand grows for multi-storey residential towers, commercial buildings, and mixed-use developments, the flexibility of skeleton systems offers a clear advantage. Unlike wall bearing systems, skeleton framing allows for open interiors and greater architectural freedom traits highly valued in urban Colombian architecture. The ongoing modernization of the construction sector, paired with Colombia’s seismic zones, is also encouraging structural engineers to adopt systems that perform better under lateral loads, further boosting the use of skeleton steel frames. Long span steel framing is more niche but highly relevant in specific sectors. Large-scale projects like airports, logistics centers, and sports arenas require wide open spaces without internal columns. For these applications, long span steel framing provides the required structural performance. While not widely used in general residential or commercial projects, it plays a vital role in expanding Colombia’s industrial and infrastructure capacity.

The Light Gauge Steel Framing market in Colombia is fueled by a variety of end-use applications, each with distinct drivers. Leading the pack is the residential sector, where LGSF has carved a solid presence, particularly in social housing and affordable developments. Programs aimed at reducing the housing deficit often turn to steel framing due to its speed, predictability, and lower dependency on skilled labor. In regions prone to earthquakes, LGSF offers added safety benefits, which aligns well with Colombia’s geographic conditions. Builders appreciate the low maintenance needs and long-term durability, especially in humid or tropical climates. The commercial segment is growing rapidly, especially in urban centers where retail, office, and hospitality projects are flourishing. Developers are choosing LGSF to shorten construction timelines, lower structural weight, and achieve modern architectural finishes. The flexibility of steel framing supports large window openings, creative layouts, and the integration of energy-efficient systems factors that matter in Colombia’s evolving commercial real estate market. Institutional applications are also on the rise. Schools, hospitals, and public buildings are increasingly being built or expanded using steel framing systems. Government-driven projects seeking cost-effective, sustainable, and durable solutions often specify LGSF due to its ability to meet tight schedules and comply with safety codes. Additionally, steel framing’s ease of assembly and minimal disruption make it ideal for facility upgrades and expansions. In the industrial sector, LGSF finds use in manufacturing plants, cold storage facilities, and logistics hubs. These structures benefit from the long spans and load-bearing efficiency steel systems provide. The industrial market values reliability and fast deployment, which gives LGSF an edge in this space. While it may not yet dominate the segment, its adoption is steadily climbing.

In the Colombian LGSF market, the choice of steel profiles plays a defining role in shaping construction methods and structural performance. Among the available profiles, C-shaped steel sections are clearly the most prevalent and widely used. These components serve as studs and joists in most steel frame structures, whether for load-bearing walls, partitions, or floor systems. Their structural strength, light weight, and ease of assembly make them the go-to option for builders working across residential, commercial, and institutional projects. U-shaped tracks are a close second, forming the structural boundary that houses and supports the C-sections. Used as bottom and top channels, U-tracks are essential in maintaining alignment, especially in wall systems. Their simplicity, combined with the ease of integration with sheathing and finishes, makes them a standard component in almost all LGSF applications throughout Colombia. In both traditional and modular builds, these tracks ensure that wall assemblies stay straight, secure, and code-compliant. Z-purlins are typically reserved for roofing and wall cladding support, particularly in industrial or long-span commercial buildings. These profiles are valued for their ability to span larger distances with fewer supports, making them ideal for warehouses, factories, and agricultural buildings. In the Colombian market, where industrial growth and regional development are priorities, Z-purlins offer reliable structural support without adding excess weight or complexity to the framing process. The others category, which includes steel angles, channels, connectors, and bracing accessories, plays a quieter but essential role. These components are the hidden backbone of the structure, ensuring proper load distribution, joint stability, and safety under seismic or wind conditions.

Wall systems are by far the most widely implemented, forming the structural and spatial backbone of residential and commercial buildings. Whether used in load-bearing roles or as non-structural partitions, steel wall systems are valued for their speed, strength, and adaptability to different architectural styles. Given Colombia’s diverse climates from the humid coastal zones to the high-altitude cities wall systems offer excellent flexibility in thermal and acoustic insulation, making them a natural fit across regions. Roof systems come next in terms of application, particularly in commercial and industrial builds. The ability to construct lightweight yet durable roofs using steel framing is a strong advantage, especially in areas where rainfall is high or roofing spans are wide. LGSF roof systems integrate well with modern insulation, waterproofing layers, and solar installations. For logistics centers, supermarkets, and factories, roof systems using steel framing help reduce build time while maintaining structural integrity and weather resistance. Floor systems, though less widely adopted than walls or roofs, are starting to gain attention in multi-level construction and modular projects. Prefabricated steel joists and decking panels offer speed and consistency that traditional concrete floors cannot always match. In seismic-prone regions, steel floor systems also reduce structural weight, improving overall building safety. As modular and vertical construction grows, so too does the use of steel floor systems. Ceiling systems are often used in commercial and institutional spaces, particularly where suspended ceilings are required to conceal utilities or improve acoustics. In schools, hospitals, and office buildings, steel-framed ceilings allow for fast, clean installation and easy access for future maintenance.

Considered in this report
• Historic Year: 2019
• Base year: 2024
• Estimated year: 2025
• Forecast year: 2030

Aspects covered in this report
• Light Gauge Steel Framing Market with its value and forecast along with its segments
• Various drivers and challenges
• On-going trends and developments
• Top profiled companies
• Strategic recommendation

By Structural Type
• Skeleton steel framing
• Wall bearing steel framing
• Long span steel framing

By End-use
• Residential
• Commercial
• Institutional
• Industrial
• Others

By Construction System
• Wall Systems
• Roof Systems
• Floor Systems
• Ceiling Systems Show more