STEEL VS WOODWhich Material Reigns Supreme in Construction?
The advantages and disadvantages of using steel and wood as construction materials.
How Does Steel Compare to Wood?
| Benefit | Steel | Wood |
|---|---|---|
| Fire Proof | ||
| Insect Proof (ants, termites etc) | ||
| Will not Mold | ||
| Won’t grow Fungus | ||
| No Rotting | ||
| No VOC’s (volatile organic compounds) | ||
| Lightweight- Easy to Handle | ||
| Lightweight- Cheaper to ship/Linear foot | ||
| Superior Strength-to-Weight Ratio | ||
| Consistent dimensions | ||
| Cut-to-Length to reduce Scrap | ||
| Product of choice in Hurricane and Earthquake zones | ||
| Produces consistently square corners and straight walls | ||
| Will not change shape after Manufacturing | ||
| Does not have Knots | ||
| Will not Swell, Warp, Twist or Split | ||
| Available pre-punched for Electrical, Plumbing and other trades. | ||
| Very low impact on the worlds natural forest habitats and wildlife | ||
| Primarily made from Recycled Materials | ||
| Easily Recycled | ||
| Easily qulaifies for LEED MR4 Credits | ||
| Saves $$ on Builders Insurance Rates | ||
| Saves $$ on Owners Insurance Rates | ||
| Estimated Scrap | Aprox. 2% | Aprox. 20% |
Benefit
Steel
Wood
Fire Proof
Insect Proof (ants, termites etc)
Will not Mold
Won’t grow Fungus
No Rotting
No VOC’s (volatile organic compounds)
Lightweight- Easy to Handle
Lightweight- Cheaper to ship/Linear foot
Superior Strength-to-Weight Ratio
Consistent dimensions
Cut-to-Length to reduce Scrap
Product of choice in Hurricane and Earthquake zones
Produces consistently square corners and straight walls
Will not change shape after Manufacturing
Does not have Knots
Will not Swell, Warp, Twist or Split
Available pre-punched for Electrical, Plumbing and other trades.
Very low impact on the worlds natural forest habitats and wildlife
Primarily made from Recycled Materials
Easily Recycled
Easily qulaifies for LEED MR4 Credits
Saves $$ on Builders Insurance Rates
Saves $$ on Owners Insurance Rates
Estimated Scrap
Aprox. 2%
Aprox. 20%
Why you will love Steel
Strength and Durability
Steel can withstand high stresses and is resistant to damage from impact, wear, and weathering. Additionally, steel has a long lifespan
Sustainability
Steel is a highly sustainable material. It is 100% recyclable, which means it can be used over and over again without losing its strength or durability.
Design Flexibility
Steel structures can be prefabricated off-site and assembled on-site, reducing construction time and costs.