When it comes to choosing your materials for your next building project, you have two main options to choose from: wood or steel. While wooden structures are the more traditional option, we continue to find more and more benefits of steel structures that make them an equally viable option. Here are a few of the differences between the two types of structures to help you better make your decision.
- Commercial vs. non-commercial use: Steel structures offer a more open framing and more durability against the elements and pests. This often makes them the preferred options for commercial or industrial uses like factories, warehouses, arenas, etc. Wooden structures, on the other hand, have more room for flexibility in the design, making them great for more non-commercial uses like houses or church buildings.
- Initial cost vs. end cost: Since wood is an abundant resource, wooden structures often appear to be the more cost-effective choice from the beginning of the building project. However, although the cost of materials may be higher initially, steel structures are often the more cost-effective option in the end because they offer more durability and require fewer costly repairs over time.
- Customizable vs. pre-engineered: It’s a common misunderstanding that pre-engineered steel structures mean you have little flexibility in the ways of design and customization. While it’s true that wooden structures may be more customizable, you can still customize steel structures to fit your design preferences. We even have exterior options for these structures that can mimic brick, stucco, or stone in a variety of colors.
Both wooden and steel structures great options when you want to start on any kind of building project. If you’d like to learn more about which one will better fit your needs, please contact us.