Here at Absolute Steel Texas, we work with customers daily with regard to their new metal buildings or carport projects. One of the main questions we are asked, or one of the main things customers initially research, is should they go with a steel building vs. wood construction.
Wood has long been the traditional building material for homes and commercial buildings. However, in Texas, metal building kits are becoming more and more common. And for good reason.
The fact is, steel structures are more cost effective in the long run. They are more durable than traditional wooden structures, requiring less maintenance and repairs.
5 Reasons to Build a Steel Building vs. Wood Construction
1. Lower Maintenance Over Time
One of the primary benefits to steel buildings is that there is less maintenance required than there is on a wood structure.
The elements in Texas can be brutal. Extreme, harsh sun in the desert regions. Salty ocean air near the gulf – along with extreme weather events. Texas has some of the most brutal environmental elements in the USA.
Due to these elements, a wood structure can require a lot of maintenance. Painting – a lot. And over time the exposed wood begins to degrade heavily.
Steel buildings, on the other hand, are very easy to maintain. Many steel panels have a pre-coated, factory finish that can last for many years before needing to be re-painted. Many panel warranties are as long as 20 years. In the meantime, maintenance required by a steel building can be as simple as wiping the surfaces clean. The barndominium shown below is going to enjoy many years of maintenance-free life.
2. Better Fire Resistance
Fire safety is another major factor to consider when choosing building materials.
Fire Safety 101: Wood is a fuel and it will burn; steel is not a fuel and it will not burn. No fuel = no fire.
Wildfires in the urban interface threaten many parts of the country, and structures throughout the country contain combustible items such as generators, lawn mowers and tools. A non-burning building is a safer building and one that will sustain less damage from wildfires.
WILDLAND FIRE SAFETY IN TEXAS Most people think of California when they think of wildfires, but Texas has its fair share of rural areas and fires can burn up quickly. On a windy day with low humidity during a drought, a wooden house can be nothing more than a pile of ashes and twisted metal in the blink of an eye.
Steel framing, and better yet, steel exterior paneling provide natural fire protection because steel is a non-combustible material. No structure can be made completely fire-proof, but a steel building will significantly reduce the severity of a fire should one occur.
3. Resistance to Pests and Termites
Pest problems in wood buildings can make the life of a wood building owner in Texas very frustrating. With an apparently endless supply of wood in Texas and relatively high moisture levels in some areas, termites, carpenter ants and other insects infest almost every wood building in these areas.
Wood is a natural breeding ground for insects and their larvae. They hide there and feed on the wood. Before the problem is even discovered, large areas of wood can be gnawed away from the inside of a house, before the damage becomes visible.
Steel buildings eliminate this concern.
Metal framing and panels do not provide any source of food for insects. Insects cannot chew or burrow into steel. Rodents can be virtually excluded from a steel structure if proper seals are made around openings.
For homeowners in termite-prone areas, the cost of replacing wood damaged by termites a few times over the lifespan of a structure can be many times the cost of using steel framing from the start.
4. Straighter Walls and More Consistent Construction
While other building materials can be flexible and varied, quality frame kits made from steel are produced to exacting specifications, allowing walls to be built to exact measurements and creating unbroken lines.
Steel frame members are cut from stock of uniform dimensions. Frame members used in wood frame construction can be a little larger or smaller than one another. The exactness depends on a number of factors such as moisture content (warping, splits, etc.) and even the operator of the saw (in the lumberyard or construction site).
In addition, wood members are expected to shrink, expand, warp and twist because of the change in temperature and humidity and this creates certain problems. These problems in a wood frame construction are known as:
- Uneven walls
- Drywall cracks
- Nail pops
- Doors or windows that no longer align properly
Wood frame construction has many inherent problems that can be eliminated with the use of steel framing. Wood naturally tends to shift, rotate and split over time and this can lead to uneven surfaces and sections of rotten wood that must be replaced. In the years to come, your home will be plagued by holes in the walls for new electrical outlets, large cracks in the drywall from uneven door frames, and the never-ending fight to keep gaps and water damage at bay. All of these problems are eliminated with steel framing as steel does not shift, rotate, or split. It provides a solid, uncompromised structure.
5, Strength and Durability
Related to section 1 above, weather in Texas can be very unforgiving to our buildings. High winds, storms, hail and hot and cold temperatures are all normal parts of life and vary greatly depending on where you are in the state.
Steel is a strong and durable building material and is a good option for high wind situations. A steel structure, when properly engineered, can be much more resistant to wind and weather than a wood framed building. A steel building is also a good choice when in flood areas.
The fact that steel does not decay, crack or deteriorate in the same way as wood ensures that the structure will remain safe for many more years than a timber version with the added advantage of low future maintenance and repair costs.
A Smart Long-Term Investment
Steel buildings in Texas are a great option for property owners. They have less maintenance, are pest resistant, fire resistant, and uniform strength.
Where wood is suitable for a building, steel is becoming a material of choice for many more projects. From modern garages and workshops, to large storage buildings and even farm and commercial developments.
The key is to use the right materials and to get the right service from a supplier who generally supplies adequate materials and decent designs in adequate quantities.
Do you need a small 200′ sq. foot workshop or a 600′ sq. foot guest house or a large commercial building of 4,000′ sq. feet or more? Whatever the size, steel building construction will provide years of quality and reliable service. Just a little planning and you’ll have a quality building that will help protect your valuable possessions.
Whether you are looking for a small 200-square-foot home workshop, a 600-square-foot guest house, or a large commercial structure of 4000 square feet or more, we have you covered. Just put in your order and we’ll ship a neatly-bundled kit right to your job site.