1. Speed of Construction

Every project begins with an estimated timeline. Most builders look to speed up their timelines; the longer it takes to get a building past the construction phase, the longer it takes to operate the building as intended for commercial or industrial purposes. This can affect the overall ROI of the project.

Steel buildings use pre-engineered components, which are fabricated elsewhere, and then assembled on-site. They are also cut to exact specifications, needing less time for measuring, recutting, or mistakes. With traditional construction methods, the materials are usually delivered to the construction site, where they are measured and cut, leaving the process susceptible to weather delays and labor constraints.

This is the primary reason that metal buildings can have significantly faster timelines than traditional construction.

2. Durability and Longevity

When building a commercial, industrial, agricultural, or athletic facility, ongoing maintenance is a factor. Choosing the right materials from the beginning can affect maintenance costs and reduce downtime for repair. In this regard, there are several ways in which steel building construction offers more durability than its traditional wood counterparts:

• Pest resistance: Wood is vulnerable to pests such as carpenter ants and termites, whereas metal or steel construction is immune to them.
• Protection against rot: Wood is susceptible to rot after exposure to moisture and moisture buildup. Fortunately, metal components do not suffer from rot the way wood does.
• Natural fire resistance: When it comes to fire risk, wood does burn easily and is often treated with fire retardants. Steel is naturally non-combustible, so it has higher fire resistance ratings.
• Weather resistance: In areas with big temperature swings, wood can be prone to warping and cracking over time. Metal components are engineered to withstand temperature changes, high winds, and heavy snow loads. Steel building durability makes this construction material a great choice.

3. Cost Profile: Upfront vs. Lifetime

When evaluating the entire project, it’s important to look at both the upfront cost and the lifetime ROI. Wood construction tends to have lower upfront construction costs, but also has a longer construction timeline (delaying revenue generating activities) and often comes with higher labor costs due to all of the on-site material preparation.

Metal buildings can have a lower lifetime cost profile, with a higher ROI over time. Maintenance costs tend to be lower due to the lack of rot and pests, and can sometimes secure lower insurance premiums due to their fire resistance.

4. Flexibility for Design and Large Spaces

If your newest facility is for a large open space – for example, a warehouse or an athletic facility, metal buildings offer more structural support for large spans. Traditional wood framing requires internal load-bearing walls or support columns closer together, which may not be conducive to your operational needs. Metal buildings also offer more flexibility if you choose to add on or remodel at a future date. 

5. Sustainability

Modern builders are keeping an eye on sustainability and environmentally-friendly practices. While wood is a renewable resource, it can also generate significant waste, as it is cut to measure with unused materials left over. Modern metal buildings use steel components that are partially made from recycled components, making it a sustainable and eco-friendly choice.