If you need additional storage space on your property for vehicles or equipment, you have several options. If you are looking for a cost-effective and environmentally-friendly solution that can stand up to harsh weather, a steel truss building is a good choice.
Steel trusses are used in both commercial and residential construction. A steel truss building can be a better choice than a shed or garage constructed with wood for several reasons.
Steel trusses are stronger than wood. Steel has a greater strength-to-weight ratio than any other building material. While wood can crack, splinter, swell, and warp, steel is not subject to those types of damage.
A building with a wood frame is susceptible to expansion and shifting from changes in climate. Steel can react to extreme climates, but it is less likely to become damaged.
Unlike wood, steel is non-combustible. This helps it resist damage from events such as hurricanes, earthquakes, and fires. Wood is also susceptible to damage from termites, but that is not a factor with a steel truss building.
Steel truss buildings do not require that trees be cut down, which makes them a more eco-friendly option than wood buildings. When constructing a building with a steel truss frame, the only wood that is needed is for plywood sheathing and window and door trim. Steel construction materials are also 100 percent recyclable.
Steel weighs 60 percent less than wood, which means that much less building material is required for a steel truss building than for a wood one. Using steel trusses does not require any “wet work,” which speeds up the construction process. Steel also offers architects and builders more flexibility in terms of design options.
Constructing a steel truss building can save you money. Since less material is needed and the construction process is faster, you can save on both materials and labor. The price of steel fluctuates less than the cost of wood, which can also make an engineered truss building a more cost-effective choice. Since steel truss buildings can withstand damage better than wood buildings, insurance companies consider them less of a risk and charge lower premiums.