Item |
Steel |
Wood |
Strength |
Light-gauge steel provides a solid, non-combustible
building material that allows for greater stability and spans. |
The quality of wood has diminished dramatically during
the past few decades. It’s not uncommon for entire sections of projects
to be re-built due to poor quality lumber. |
Environmental Impact |
The average home built with steel uses the materials
from 5-6 recycled automobiles. |
The average home built with wood uses approximately 80
trees – or one acre forest. |
Protection from Lightning |
A steel frame offers occupants better protection than
any other construction method. That’s because the steel frame offers
multiple paths to the ground, reducing the likelihood of explosions,
secondary fires or personal injury. |
A wood structure hit by lightning will most certainly
suffer substantial damage. The likelihood of a serious fire being caused
by lightning is much greater in a wood home. |
Price |
In most instances, a structure built using light-gauge
steel will be competitive with wood. Furthermore, steel prices have
remained at or below the cost of inflation for the past two decades. |
Wood prices have risen and fallen dramatically during
the past decade, creating a roller coaster effect for builders and
contractors. Because it’s difficult to predict the price of wood beyond
a few months, the final true cost of any project is difficult to
ascertain. |
Energy Efficiency |
Steel framing can be designed to meet or exceed energy
efficiency. In addition, by staying straight and true, steel framing helps
prevent cracks due to shrinkage or warping. This prevents air leaks that
result in a costly loss of energy. |
Due to tremendous shortages of lumber, "green"
wood is often used in building projects. That can result in warping,
cracking and splitting – all of which cause decreased energy efficiency. |
Wind Resistance |
The unique system used by Steelway International allows
for wind loads of up to twice that of wood. |
Traditional wood framed structures are always vulnerable
to tornadoes and high winds, and today’s poor-quality lumber makes that
even more true. |
