Steel VS. Wood Framing

For many years, most houses were built with lumber being the most popular material with which to frame homes. Although steel framing has been used in construction, its use has previously been limited to mostly commercial building projects. With lumber becoming less available and issues of sustainability surrounding concern over the environment and the cutting down of trees, lumber has recently become more expensive and of lesser quality. Because of this, steel framing is now considered more often for use in residential home building.

 

There are benefits to building with steel framing as opposed to wood framing. Strength is one of the greatest advantages of using steel over wood. The strength and resiliency of steel framing can withstand most natural disasters, like hurricanes, severe storms, and earthquakes, to name a few. This is why many of the largest and sturdiest buildings in the world are made with steel framing.

 

Steel framing is also resistant to fire and tornadoes, which is, of course, a huge safety consideration. This factor can also make Ohio Steel Erection & Plant Maintenancesteel framing projects less costly to insure. Among its many other advantages, steel is also termite proof and doesn’t bend and warp due to weather conditions.

 

Steel framing has plenty of benefits over wood framing, but for many contractors there is a learning curve. There are certain tools that are specific to building with steel and it also requires an additional set of skills and training on the contractor’ s part. Steel framing can also be a bit more costly than wood framing, specifically for residential homeowners.

 

However, despite the possible added cost to homeowners, and the additional training needed for many contractors who are more accustomed to building with wood, steel is ultimately a stronger and more resilient framing to use for building projects, for both commercial buildings and residential homes.

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