Why Steel Buildings Are Worth the Cost
What are the differences between wood buildings and steel buildings? Wood buildings may be less expensive and easier to construct, but the longevity and durability of wood don’t come close in comparison to steel. Plus, the maintenance of a wood building will cost you more in the long run.
To help you decide which type will work best for you, let’s take a closer look at wood buildings versus steel buildings.
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Statistics About Wood Buildings & Steel Buildings
Before we dive into the many reasons you should consider a steel building over a wooden one, check out these statistics.
- Wood framing is the most preferred for residential constructions; this is most likely because people are hesitant to try something new.
- Steel framing is the most preferred for other types of construction.
- Within the U.S. commercial market, steel framing grabs nearly 55% of all new constructions.
- Within the U.S. commercial market, nearly 95% of all commercial buildings are constructed using steel framing.
Wood Buildings vs. Steel Buildings
About 20% of the total cost of building new construction is spent on framing and trusses. While you may think steel framing would be significantly more than wood framing, the truth is structural steel panels cost only about 5% more than wood trusses.
The labor costs of installing a steel structure or metal building are usually reduced by up to 50% compared to building with wood. This is due to the metal trusses being faster and easier to install.
Another thing to consider when using wood as a building material is that its consistency varies. Because all tree species vary (even the same species), lumber strengths fluctuate in their durability.
Wood also swells when the moisture content changes, causing cracks, twists, and warps in long headers and rafters as the years go by. If moisture content exceeds 20%, decay will more than likely take place in the structure. This is another reason steel and metal storage buildings are a better choice.
Metal Building Maintenance Compared to Wood Buildings
To keep it simple, wood buildings need a lot of upkeep. This requires more labor on your end and will cost a lot of money in regard to the materials you’ll need to perform the upkeep.
Steel buildings, on the other hand, require only a minimal amount of maintenance, with a simple rinsing and cleaning one to two times a year generally being sufficient.
Metal Buildings Are the Better Choice
Metal buildings are almost always the better choice. Whether you’re constructing horse barns or metal carports, you’ll enjoy an array of advantages with steel framing. Wood sheds and buildings simply don’t last as long and are not nearly as sturdy as steel structures.
In terms of longevity, steel buildings often last decades longer than wooden structures.
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