Framing in construction is essential to every structure. It is, literally, the frame onto which everything else is built. You could think of it as a building’s skeleton. The frame supports the roof and shingles, attaches to the foundation, and holds the floors, ceilings, walls, windows, doors, cabinets, décor, and more in place.
The two types of framing we’ll be comparing here are steel framing and wood framing. When it was first introduced, steel framing was only used for large commercial structures (and remains the predominant commercial framing material), but now continues to grow in popularity in residential use as well. Which is the right material for any given structure? Let’s compare.
Material Strength & Durability
Steel framing is stronger, lighter, and more durable than wood framing. Being stronger and lighter means steel framing can routinely reach 40 feet in height and have a clear span up to 150 feet, which is why steel is so prevalent in commercial spaces, as well as a growing number of residential homes with wide-open floor plans and tall ceilings.
It’s important to clarify that when we say steel framing is lighter, we’re specifically talking about structural framing rather than the materials themselves. Wood, the material, is lighter than steel, the material. However, in structural framing, the strength of the steel means a lighter overall structure than a comparable wood structure.
The durability of steel framing is superior to that of wood framing in a number of different areas. Steel’s strength helps buildings withstand severe weather and natural disasters, including hurricanes and earthquakes. Unlike wood, steel is not at risk for mold, rot, warping, or pests, and, as a non-combustible material, steel framing is designed to be fire-safe and protect a building’s structure in the case of a fire.
Flexibility of Design
The design flexibility of steel vs. wood framing depends on what you’re looking for. Steel can give you greater flexibility when it comes to size (tall ceilings, open floor plans) and can be further customized, as components can be made specifically to fit a building’s design. Wood, however, holds the advantage when it comes to complex roofs (steep pitches, wide overhangs, dormers, and other similar attributes). For less intricate rooflines, as is the case in most commercial buildings and many residences, steel’s design flexibility will be more than adequate.
One might wonder: Can I use steel framing for most of the structure and wood framing for the roof? Technically, that is possible, but it’s not as efficient or cost-effective as using a single type of framing. Also, combining two types of framing structures might violate building codes. It’s best to frame a structure with a single material.
Safety & Code Compliance
Depending on where your structure will be built and what type of structure it is, you’ll need to comply with local codes, which often vary between a commercial building and a residence, as well as whether you’re using steel framing or wood framing.
As we discussed earlier, code-compliant steel framing can withstand natural disasters such as hurricanes and earthquakes and can also endure severe weather, support heavy snow, and keep the structure sturdy throughout violent storms. Wood framing must also be up to code in an effort to withstand severe weather, but the inherent strength and durability of steel will hold up better than wood.
Cost
Up front, the material cost of wood framing is less expensive than steel framing. However, steel has some advantages that close the cost gap over time. Steel’s durability translates into lower long-term maintenance costs compared to a similar wood structure. Because of this, in some areas, insurance companies will charge less for steel-framed structures than for comparable wood-framed structures.
Depending on what type of structure you’re planning to build and where, we can get into your specifics and help determine more precise costs now and in the future. Most find that, over time, the total cost of a steel-framed structure versus a wood-framed structure is negligible and that the higher up-front investment for steel is well worth it.
Environmental Impact
Similar to the cost comparison, the up-front environmental impact of wood framing will usually be less than that of steel, but over the life of the structure, steel is better for sustainability. Almost all of steel’s impact on the environment is during manufacturing and construction, after which the long-lasting benefits of steel’s durability mean it will stand for an extremely long time while requiring minimal maintenance.
Plus, steel is 100% recyclable and easy to repurpose. Wood, while having a smaller environmental impact during its processing and construction than steel, is a single-use material. Wood is a renewable resource in that timber farms plant trees every time they harvest a tree (commonly two are planted for every one harvested), but that process takes decades. “Renewable” and “sustainable” are not synonymous. Steel can be recycled and repurposed quickly, and with steel’s resistance to pests and severe weather, and fires, there is far less risk of a sudden and potentially long-lasting damaging environmental impact from a steel structure as compared to a wood structure.
The edge in energy efficiency goes to steel as well, even if wood has some inherent advantages. Wood is a better natural insulator than steel, but with the options available to those building steel-framed structures, like thicker walls and larger cavities to allow for more advanced insulation, a steel structure can achieve a very high level of energy efficiency, even bettering that of a comparable wood structure.
Connect with the Steel Experts at Capital Steel
So, steel frame vs. wood frame, which is right for your project? You can probably guess where we lean, with steel being stronger, more durable, more sustainable, and longer-lasting than wood. Ready to talk about your project? Contact us today to supply your project with steel from Capital Steel.
