In the past, the conventional building materials were wood and concrete. However, steel is now becoming popular due to its flexibility and reduced time of construction. Like everything else, construction materials are highly determined by cost. In this article, you will learn how you can save money by choosing steel instead of wood or concrete.

Flexibility

Steel has a good resistance capacity, and steel construction is not as labor engaging as wood and concrete construction. This helps save on labor cost, which is often quite high. It is also easier to lengthen a custom metal building when the need arises in the future than concrete. You only have to add frames and bays to expand the facility. When it comes to steel vs. wood, steel remains flexible in terms of design as it can span large areas. Common steel structures include riding arenas, warehouses, mining buildings, garages, logistics hubs, etc.

Cost

According to General Steel, one of the biggest advantages of a steel building is cost. Typically, steel frames cost about 5% to 7% less than concrete and traditional wood frames. Besides, the price of steel building materials has been falling while wood building materials are going up. This makes steel an attractive option. When it comes to construction, time is money, and steel is quicker to build than concrete.

Maintenance

Another advantage of a custom metal building is that the maintenance cost is reduced. Since steel is resistant to rot, mold, or termite, it requires almost zero maintenance. Also, as you do not have to treat steel for insects, it means you can enjoy good air quality, free of chemicals. On the other hand, wood rots and can get infested with termites that require maintenance from time to time. While concrete is strong, it also requires maintenance against weather and mold. Therefore, this makes steel a better material for saving maintenance costs.

Safety

While all these materials are safe, steel supersedes all of them. It is resistant to wind, rain, mold, and any other natural challenges it is exposed to. Also, it does better in areas with seismic activity than wood and concrete. Since it allows for certain construction methods to handle a specific amount of ground movement and not cause adverse effects, it helps reduce repair costs eventually.

As seen above, a custom metal building is the better option for something solid that will save you money. Therefore, for your next building project, reach out to reliable steel manufacturers or suppliers and a suitable contractor for a great project outcome.