When it comes to building your home sweet home, there are more decisions to make than you think. From planning your needs to setting up a budget, then thinking about the building materials that will help last your home, the list could go on and on.
One important decision to make is to choose the framework of your home. After all, it is the backbone of your building and holds your home together. The options for the framework are wood or steel. They both have their upsides and downsides. It is important to learn the differences between steel frames vs. wood frames.
Although wood frames have stood the test of time, steel offers numerous benefits over old-fashioned wooden frames. A metal frame is weather-proof, moisture and fire-resistant, stronger than wood, and easy to install. In contrast, a wooden frame is prone to moisture, pest, fire, mold, and more.
To learn more differences between steel frame vs. wood frame and why a steel-framed home is now the preferred choice of many builders, keep reading below.
While the wooden frame has been around for a long time, steel-framed construction is relatively new. We have listed some reasons that make steel a winner.
How common is it to notice warping on wooden floors? It happens pretty often. Steel structures, on the other hand, do not warp easily.
Moreover, wood is highly flammable, whereas steel is non-combustible. When it comes to weather, wood is too fragile to handle harsh weather and natural disasters, while steel can easily withstand most weather conditions.
Another problem that arises with wooden frames is pests and termites. Wood frames are prone to get infected with mold, termites, moisture, pests, etc. Steel, on the other hand, is robust.
Thus, wood is vulnerable and can rot easily, while steel is highly resistant and unlikely to degrade.
Compared to wood, steel is lighter in weight, making it easy to handle and a safe choice for laborers and builders. The lighter weight is also benefiting because it reduces shipping costs.
Another advantage steel enjoys over wood is precision. The steel framework is manufactured after the house plan is thoroughly complete, which means accuracy is assured. You can also have holes punctured for running wires, cables, fixings, etc.
Compared to wood, steel is more expensive, but many factors affect long-term costs and make steel a preferred choice.
Steel is prefabricated off-site, which means less wastage resulting in less cost.
When it comes to construction site costs, steel is prefabricated in the industry, which means faster construction and less labor costs. Every day added to your schedule is an addition to your budget too. Steel is a savior as it lets you meet your time frame.
Moreover, wood is high maintenance. In the case of termites, mold, rot, or natural disaster damage, you need to pay hefty amounts to restore the wood. In contrast, steel is not as vulnerable to these dangers.
Steel is probably the most versatile material in the construction industry, which is not the case with wood. Steel can be molded into any shape, which makes it the preferred choice for designers and architects. They can use their wildest imaginations to build anything they want with steel. Nowadays, steel is being used everywhere. You name it, and it is possible with steel.
Additionally, steel can be custom-designed into more aesthetically pleasing structures. Although wood has the upper hand in giving the traditional aesthetic vibe, steel gives you the freedom to play with your ideas.
Yes, just like everything else, steel has its downsides too. Wood is an excellent natural insulator, while steel’s insulating capacity is poor. Steel makes up for it with the multiple options for insulation which reduces the heating and cooling costs and thus, decreases carbon footprint.
Moreover, steel rusts, but this is only a problem when steel is exposed to standing water for a significant amount of time. So, if your residence is in coastal regions of North America, you should choose wood; otherwise, it shouldn’t be a problem.
Overall, steel and wood are very different. Steel is a better option than wood when it comes to choosing the building framing system for your construction project. Steel is reliable, robust, versatile, customizable, energy-efficient, and cost-effective in the long run. While wood is a natural insulator, it is vulnerable to fire, moisture, pest, termites, harsh weather, and much more.
Maverick Steel Buildings offers top-notch prefabricated steel frames for all your needs. Our motto is to provide you with nothing but the best, keeping the environment safe at the same time. Reach out to our team of professionals to learn more and price your building.