The 5 Biggest Advantages of Steel Over Wood When Building a House

Are you looking to build a new house on your property? Do you wonder if there’s a more durable or safer material for wood for your new residential home? If so, then you need to look into the specific advantages of steel for your new house.

While it might not be the most conventional method, steel can be an incredible option for those of you wanting to build a house that’s safe and unique.

See below for an in-depth guide highlighting the benefits and advantages of a steel frame and other parts of the house for your next residential property.

  1. Environmentally-Friendly

You might be surprised to find out that steel is one of the most recyclable materials on the entire Earth. Not only are people recycling it more, but structural steel can go through as many waves of recycling as possible.

For those of you that want to reduce your carbon footprint and go green for your next home, you could use steel for your residential construction.

Wood, on the other hand, is not recyclable if it’s been finished in any way. That means anything that’s been painted or treated can’t be recycled and must be thrown away in a dumpster.

That also means that any time that you have to renovate a part of your home, you’re throwing away wood rather than recycling it.

Meanwhile, the steel you use on your home will be recycled for generations. Even when your home is long gone, the steel that you used on it will be used on other buildings.

  1. Pest Reduction

If you’ve ever owned a home that’s made out of wood, you know there’s a very real threat of having pests in your home.

This could be anything from cockroaches, mice, termites, and so on. Typically, these pests favor wooden structures because they’re easier to slip inside.

Termites prey on wood, making your home an easy target. There are certain locations in the country that are even more susceptible to termite breakouts because they’re located in a termite hotbed.

Rodents, such as mice, find it incredibly easy to chew through the wood and make small holes for them to live in.

These become far less frequent in a home that’s made of steel beams, steel frames, and steel walls. The mice won’t be able to chew through, and termites won’t have anything to feast on.

You might still deal with cockroaches on occasion, but as long as you reduce the humidity in your home, there won’t be a breakout of any kind.

  1. Cost-Efficient

Many people want to build their dream home, but they don’t feel as if they have the budget to make it happen. Typical homes require a fusion of metal and wood (mostly the latter) to construct a fully-functional structure.

However, steel homes offer a plethora of benefits that can help you save money when you build the house from scratch.

First off, steel building frames are easy to adapt later. If you want to expand your house or renovate it in some way down the line, you can do so without having a massive overhaul on your hands. This will help you save money on restructuring.

The foundation will also cost less, as structural steel can hold more weight with less necessary quantities. It also requires far less time to construct, meaning that you’ll save on labor costs and be able to move into your new home much faster.

Lastly, steel is more durable than wood. You’ll find yourself enjoying the same durability and protection from the same structure for many decades without needing any significant replacements or renovations.

  1. Protection From the Elements

Whether you realize it or not, the earth around your home is constantly moving. It only takes one significant force of nature to completely sabotage and destroy your wood house.

Having a steel home offers you protection from many of nature’s great forces such as earthquakes, tornados, and hail storms. While it might put a couple of dents on the outside, it won’t get through to the inside, giving your family more protection.

Steel is also non-combustible, meaning that it offers maximum protection if you were to ever experience a fire. Wood is one of the most combustible materials on earth, putting your family at more risk.

Even after experiencing such a drastic emergency, steel houses can last for decades to come.

  1. Freedom of Design

Believe it or not, steel actually allows you more freedom on designing your home than wood does. With wood, you’re limited to sharp edges and linear frames.

However, steel beams can create amazing frames with arches and even domes if you see fit. Virtually any thought or idea you have for the layout of your home is possible with choosing steel over wood for your next home.

No more having to give in to the limitations of wood construction. If you have an idea for your home’s design, you can bring it to your contractor and see if it’s possible with steel beams.

Unlock the Advantages of Steel In Your Dream Home Today

Now that you’ve seen all the different advantages of steel instead of wood for your home, it’s time to start looking through different design ideas for your metal home.

Do as much research as you can on the advantages of steel beams and how they can help you achieve your optimal home for decades to come.

Want to learn even more? Be sure to browse our website for more articles relating to steel homes, as well as many other helpful topics.