Traditional Timber Buildings Vs Steel Buildings: Which Will You Prefer?

Choosing Between The Traditional Timber Buildings & Steel Buildings

Steel and timber are two widely used building materials today. Both have their pros and cons, and it is better to compare them before using it in a property. You should always test their ability before selecting one of these for your house or building.

Let’s take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of traditional timber buildings. You can never deny the reliability and stability that these buildings offer. But they are not very environment-friendly. For a single-family home with a 2,400 square foot house, you need approximately 14,000 square feet of wood products, such as glulam beams, medium-density fiberboard, particleboard, hardboard, laminated veneer lumber, wood I-joists, oriented strand board, and plywood. Additionally, you also require nearly 16,000 board feet of framing lumber. So, you use almost 60 tons of fresh trees to meet this requirement. But comparatively, it doesn’t even take a single tree to make a steel building.

It is easy to make new houses with timber because of the flexible design possibilities. However, remodeling a timber home is often challenging. It is an easy task to meet the requirement of a homeowner who wants to have windows to allow natural light to come in their houses. Also, temperature regulation is a massive positive for traditional timber buildings. Air hardly passes through timber walls, and that makes it easier to regulate your home’s temperature. On the other hand, steel buildings have moisture that disturbs the insulating effect of the building.

One disadvantage of using timber is they are vulnerable to cracks, molds, rots, and various types of termites and pests. They are also not fire-resistant. Many insurance companies may charge more for timber buildings or pole buildings because of their poor fire rating. You should always get insurance when it comes to a timber house. Insurance agents usually charge more for timber buildings because they require comparatively more repairs. You will need to spend more on part replacements also. But, a steel building has very low maintenance costs. You get substantial warranties on the roof, paint, and overall structure. You won’t need to think of replacing any parts in the next few years.

Steel buildings are more cost-effective than traditional timber buildings. They almost cost half of what timber buildings cost. Of course, a wood pole barn is cheaper initially, but replacing the rotting and warped timber adds to the overall cost every year. A steel building, on the other hand, provides a long-term solution. Although they may cost more initially, they help to save a lot of money in the long-run. Steel always works in your favor. Even if you want to sell your property, it will have increased value. That is why many people prefer to spend big initially so that they can save on maintenance and also get a satisfactory value if they sell their land.

Apart from the cost side, steel buildings also have a short construction time. The construction company will deliver a steel building at a job site according to the requirement of the client. It will be ready in a few days or weeks instead of months. Moreover, steel is easier to clean. If you maintain it properly with the right paint and coatings, it will live for a longer period than traditional timber. Steel is also eco-friendly because you can recycle the material after using it.

The Temporary Warehouse Structures team is proud of the quality we provide our clients in design, materials, and craftsmanship. If you would like to receive a Temporary Warehouse Structures quote, contact us online or simply call us if you need pieces of information.