Quality framing is what makes a home or building safe to be in, so it’s a critical part of the design and building process.
When deciding what to frame your project with, steel framing and wood framing are among the popular options. Each has different characteristics and benefits. Weigh the pros and cons of steel framing vs. wood framing when deciding what’s right for your next project.
STEEL FRAMING
Due to the structural integrity it provides, steel framing is common for large builds, like multifamily housing projects, as well as industrial and commercial buildings. When framing a home with steel, fewer structural walls and beams are needed, which can provide some flexibility to the design of the structure. Steel framing works well for open floor plans, which are on trend, for example.
Steel framing is typically more expensive than wood framing, but it’s still a cost-effective choice. It has many advantages like not requiring much maintenance, being durable, not warping over time, being fire resistant, holding up in rough weather, and being able to support more weight than wood framing. It also gives your structure a long lifespan. Steel-framed buildings and homes can last more than 100 years.
WOOD FRAMING
Wood framing has long been a traditional choice for residential projects. It has insulation properties, which makes it an energy-efficient option. Another benefit of working with wood is that it allows for a lot of flexibility in design. If you want a house with a specialized structure, wood can easily be cut to particular lengths.
Since wood framing can rot, warp, or become home to pests over time, it may require more maintenance than steel framing.
WHICH IS RIGHT FOR MY PROJECT?
Wood and steel serve different purposes. Steel framing is often the choice for large, multifamily structures and buildings, while wood framing works well for single homes.
Whichever you decide to use, at Miller’s Building Supply, we have all the steel and wood framing components you need to support the floors, roof, and walls of your next building project. Come look at our selection at 1819 E Monroe in Goshen, Indiana, or browse online.