• Metal Outbuilding Kits vs. Wooden Outbuildings

    Cost and Design Comparison

Wooden Outbuilding Applications

We all use outbuildings for a variety of purposes: RV storage, personal workshop, storing heavy machinery or professional equipment, or even as aircraft hangars. That can make it difficult to zero in on what type of prefab outbuilding is the right fit for your circumstances. So we’ve compiled a few of the most important factors in the decision process to see how the two most popular building types compare: steel outbuildings and wood outbuildings.

Why Steel for the Southeast

Design

The design elements of a wood outbuilding can vary widely from one project to the next. If you’re looking for highly customized, ornate design, perhaps a wood outbuilding is the right choice for you. Just be aware that these intricacies can quickly drive up costs and extend construction timelines.

A common misconception of a metal outbuilding kit is that it comes as a one-size-fits-all structure. Granted, there are steel building distributors who offer these type of buildings, but General Steel prides itself on offering customized buildings that fit your needs and tastes. When working with our experienced design team, you can map the exterior and interior features that you desire. It’s also easier to modify or expand steel structures if needed in the future.

Metal Outbuilding Kits
General Steel Wooden Outbuilding Alternative

Aesthetics

Many people choose wood outbuildings because of their traditional aesthetic. The rustic exterior often sets the foundation for intricate landscaping, or it’s simply a nostalgic link to the past. To complete the look, wood outbuildings are painted, which can include expensive labor costs and or delay completion of the outbuilding. Wood buildings are certainly aesthetically pleasing, but without consistent maintenance, they can quickly deteriorate.

Alternative to Wooden Outbuilding

Consumers have long known the structural security that comes with a steel building, but the aesthetic quality of the building material often lagged behind its strength. That’s no longer the case as steel building distributors, including General Steel, now offer multiple customization options including color scheme, doors, windows, and more. The big-box aesthetic has been replaced with a sleek, modern touch that lives up to the building’s well-known practical superiority.

Cost

Most traditional builders point to cost as a decided advantage when comparing wood outbuildings to steel prefab outbuildings. And technically, they’re right. Wood buildings are often cheaper upfront than steel buildings. But there are a few factors that are left out of those calculations.

Metal Building Cost 101
Metal Siding Alternative to Wooden Siding

Wooden Outbuildings

20x20 $10,000-$12,000
20x30 $12,000-$14,000
30x40 $20,000-$24,000

Metal Outbuildings

20x20 $8,000-$12,000
20x30 $12,000-$18,000
30x40 $24,000-$37,000

Combustible = Lower Costs

Wood buildings are naturally susceptible to fire and structural failings due to rotting, cracking, mold, and pest damage. That’s why wood structures usually come with more expensive insurance policies when compared to steel structures. Steel’s strength and fire-resistant properties makes a steel outbuilding a safer investment and limits insurance costs along the way.

Bolt Together Construction = Lower Costs

Wood construction requires detailed work at the worksite, including cutting, framing, and electrical preparation. That means paying professional laborers over the course of an extended construction timeline. Steel buildings, however, feature all bolt-together construction and don’t require professional help – saving you up to 50 percent on time and materials when compared to traditional materials such as wood.

Save Time and Money Long Term

Whether it’s repainting, repairing, or replacing, a wood outbuilding requires constant and potentially costly maintenance. Wood is especially vulnerable to warping, cracking, and other natural processes that can cause major headaches for building owners. Steel’s durability and resistance to structural dangers make it easy to maintain over an extended period of time, allowing you to save time and money.

Final Thoughts

After examining all of the factors that go into purchasing an outbuilding kit, we recommend a steel structure over traditional building materials like wood. While upfront costs tend to favor wood construction, the long-term stability of a steel building will win out over time. It’s important to note that our outbuildings are long-term solutions designed to store and protect your most valuable assets, including a business fleet of vehicles, car collection, or farm machinery, for example. If you’re looking for a temporary storage shed, a big-box hardware store might be a more appropriate solution.

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