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?

BenefitSteelWood
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 ScrapAprox. 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.