People have traditionally used wood for building projects because it is a known and “user-friendly” material. It was clearly the ideal choice for building materials a century ago and was abundant worldwide. However, thanks to technological upgradation and innovation, steel is the real deal today. In comparison to other construction materials, it has several significant benefits.
Steel is a fundamentally ductile material that responds to overloading in a controlled and manageable manner. Metal components can be customized in size and shape to give structural robustness that is difficult to achieve with other, more brittle building materials.
Despite the initial cost savings of wood, steel buildings have grown in popularity over time and offer substantial advantages over timber. For most industrial, commercial, and warehousing uses, pre-engineered steel structures are currently the preferred option.
This article will compare pre-engineered metal structures to wooden structures and highlight the unique advantages of steel structures over timber. Read on to know.
Table of Contents
Construction is Faster, Simple, and Affordable
Every pre-engineered steel construction component is custom-designed and built for your structure. Each member is meticulously developed and manufactured to complement the others.
Each component is marked and easily identifiable, and the assembly drawings provide cross-references for each element. This guarantees that your steel structure, irrespective of size, will come as a complete kit, with each part precisely fitting together.
Because each element is detailed and built particularly for each structure, assembling the design is rapid and straightforward. On the other hand, these structures require less labour because they can be easily put together. There is hardly any wastage and no sawing, cutting, or welding on-site.
Because all parts are sourced and obtained independently, wood buildings take substantially longer to install than pre-engineered kits. There is an additional measurement, cutting, and error tolerance, which consumes a considerable amount of time. It also generates a lot more waste in the long run because components must be custom-fit once they land on the construction site.
Also, you should keep in mind that the cost of wood is continuously changing because of frequent timber shortages. This promotes the use of crack-prone “green” timber in building projects. These fractures in the wood members reduce the sealability of the structure, lowering both its structural integrity and energy efficiency.
Better Structural Reliability and Strength
Every section of a metal building is constructed for its predetermined usage in that specific metal structure and follows stringent industry norms in terms of stability. Every component of a steel structure is designed and produced to fulfill the precise load limits of each element, guaranteeing that each steel construction can manage all of the load needs of its specific project location.
Better Safety and Endurance Than Wooden Structures
Steel components, unlike wood, will not rot or deteriorate over time. Steel is impervious to corrosion. It will maintain its rigidity throughout the life of the structure. Because of the structural strength, and easy-to-use fasteners, metal components are less stressed, resulting in a safer structure for the foreseeable future.
Wooden structures, on the other hand, demand regular maintenance. Wherever there is dampness close to the structure’s base, rot is possible. Decay raises the likelihood of a collapse by causing a structural vulnerability.
Additionally, wood carries the risk of being destroyed by fire. One of the most tangible benefits of adopting a steel structure is the assurance that your life and possessions are secure in case of a fire.
Steel Construction is Environmentally Friendly
Steel is fully recyclable and the only material that maintains its strength after recycling. There is no wastage when a steel building is constructed and assembled because no considerable cutting is necessary on-site, and all cut-offs are recycled at the plant.
Thus, steel buildings are the best alternative for the environment compared to inefficient and non-recyclable lumber buildings.
Advantages of Hiring a Reputed Metal Building Supplier
There are various advantages of hiring a firm with decades of experience in the construction industry. Here are some of the primary benefits:
- You are included when you purchase a building from a reputable metal building supplier throughout the construction stages.
- They collaborate with you or your general contractor to guarantee that all of your construction needs are addressed.
- Every problem of your building project will be treated as if it were its own.
Final Thoughts
Steel buildings have numerous advantages over timber structures.
Compare all expenses, including the upfront expenditures of site preparation, labour, and materials and the recurring ownership costs, such as upkeep, maintenance, and insurance premium. Also, evaluate how vital environmental friendliness and safety are to you.
Buyers concur that the value of a pre-engineered metal building dramatically outweighs the initial cost savings of a wood construction when all factors are considered.
