In the world of modern construction, establishing best practices has more to do with working with the right materials for the job at hand. As such, comparing steel buildings to their wooden counterparts in terms of which is ‘better’ may be a bit of a futile task. That isn’t to say, however, that there aren’t merits to making comparisons between the two materials and noting distinct pros and cons between them.

Historically, wood has been the readily available material in construction. It has been easy to acquire, process, and work with, making it ideal for burgeoning populations over the years. Unfortunately, overuse and misuse have started draining resources of wood both domestically and internationally. This has driven prices of wood higher than ever before. Compound this with supply chain hiccups from the last few years, and a near perfect storm has emerged regarding the use of wood on construction sites.

Steel has steadily made a name for itself over many years as an alternative to wood, despite its one major critique — its initial higher cost. The construction industry is not immune to consumers wanting top-tier quality but only if it means paying pennies on the dollar for it. Still, even with a higher upfront cost, steel buildings have been invested in all over the world. Both commercial AND residential construction have seen a major uptick in the amount of steel structures finding their way into the fold.

But the major question still looms — are steel buildings better than wood? Keep the following in mind: 

• steel buildings may cost less over time when compared to wood when you factor in maintenance, repairs, rebuilds, etc.

• wood buildings can often experience levels of depreciation their steel counterparts don’t; often, steel buildings can help increase appreciation of a property

• the overall structural strength of steel is much greater than wood

• steel’s performance against the elements is much better as wood can splinter, crack, break, and deform

• construction time for wooden buildings usually takes longer, leading to higher costs for a project; this also means higher labor costs

• steel buildings are available due in ever expanding styles

Still, for all that steel buildings bring to the table, it is important to ask the question: are steel buildings right for you? This is where a company like Mueller, Inc. shows its worth. For nearly one-hundred years, Mueller, Inc. has led the way in steel building manufacturing. We pride ourselves on our reputation for going the extra mile — and beyond — for our customers. Let us help you find the right steel building solution for your needs today.