When it comes to low-rise commercial construction, you may be considering many different types of framing. Steel framing has its benefits, as does timber framing, but conventional wood framing is a popular choice for a reason: it’s cost efficiency.
The cost saving benefits aren’t just limited to the initial purchase — they can also be found in labor, energy savings, and long-term maintenance.
In this article, we’ll tell you all about the cost benefits of commercial wood framing, specifically for low-rise commercial projects.
Steel vs Wood for Low-Rise Commercial Construction
Many commercial construction projects assume steel is the best way to go, but unless you are building something over five stories, conventional commercial wood framing is an excellent choice.
Steel is strong, resistant to pests, and offers protection against high winds, earthquakes and other weather events. Steel framing is also inherently fire-resistant. However, it’s usually pre-fabricated, which makes its design and installation longer and less flexible. In addition, i
Conventional wood framing offers durability, ease of installation and long-term maintenance, as well as energy efficiency and structural integrity. In addition, wood offers cost efficiency when used for commercial construction.
Cost Benefits of Conventional Wood Framing
Why choose wood framing for a low-rise commercial project? It offers cost benefits in both the short and long term:
Upfront Expense
First and foremost, the short-term cost of wood framing tends to be less expensive than steel or timber framing. Steel as a material is more expensive than wood, which makes it a higher price on your invoice. Beyond that, steel prices are usually more volatile than wood, meaning your pricing could change wildly during your project, and have implications for your budget.
Availability
Wood is a domestic resource, which means it benefits from lower transportation costs for projects in the U.S. In addition, steel framing tends to come pre-fabricated, meaning you’ll need to wait for fabrication, adding time and expense to your project. Wood is also far easier and less expensive to transport than timber or metal framing, saving time and money through simplified logistics.
Energy Efficiency
Wood is naturally insulating, which provides long-term benefits as your commercial space will be more energy efficient. With all other factors equal, a wood building will keep its temperature regulated more effectively than a steel structure.
Steel studs create areas where heat can easily enter or escape which impacts your entire building’s energy efficiency. Wood doesn’t have the same issue, which leads to lower energy consumption, and thus — lower bills.
Less Expensive Installation
Labor costs are what give commercial wood framing the biggest cost benefits over other types of framing, particularly metal. Wood is lighter and easier to handle than steel, which leads to a faster, easier installation. Wood is also much more flexible when it comes to the layout of a space. A small discrepancy in the plans can quickly be resolved. With metal, it’s much more costly.
Wood also doesn’t require the same speciality equipment. Whether steel comes pre-fabricated or not, heavy machinery is nearly always needed to install steel framing. For a smaller commercial construction project, wood won’t require the same expensive equipment and qualified operators.
Durability & Maintenance
Wood framing is often thought of as less durable than steel, but it’s actually a myth. With proper care, both materials can stand the test of time. On the flip side, with poor maintenance, each can rot or corrode and cause major structural problems. It’s key to take preventative measures to protect wood, which means a good design to prevent water intrusion, frequent visual inspections for pests or leaks, and good drainage to direct water away from your structure.
When damage does occur, it’s much easier to repair a damaged section of wood framed wall than steel. Individual studs or header can be easily replaced without affecting the rest of the structure. When properly treated and maintained, wood lasts for centuries.
Commercial Wood Framing Experts
Hardcore Constructors are experts at conventional commercial wood framing. We offer a decade of experience getting jobs done right the first time.
We know commercial projects inside and out, and know that a budget can make or break the results for a business when all is said and done. That’s why we offer economical commercial wood framing solutions with a high priority on quality and attention to detail.
Learn more about our process, and how wood framing can set your commercial project up for success.
