Why are Structural Steel Beams Better than Wooden Beams?
05 October 2021
The various types of builders’ beams that exist are vital to the safe and efficient construction of buildings and other industrial projects. Whether you’re undergoing a new construction project or are working on renovating an existing property, you’re probably wondering which structural beams that you need to use.
If you’re in the above situation, continue reading this blog post from the online steel fabrication experts at Buy A Beam. We’ve compared the fantastic option of structural steel beams with the alternative of a wooden beam to highlight how making the right choice of material could benefit your project.
The Advantages of Structural Steel Beams
The team here at Buy A Beam have plenty of knowledge about steel beam sizes, dimensions, uses and benefits, through our time spent connecting customers with local steel fabrication companies using our website. Here are some of the critical benefits of steel beams that your project can benefit from:
Strength and Durability
Structural steel is a material with a very high strength to weight ratio, meaning that beams made from this metal can withstand higher amounts of stress than alternative materials (such as wood and stone) without any fractures occurring. This is a particular benefit when creating tall structures, which naturally put more strain on the materials than smaller buildings do.
Corrosion-resistant
Steel I-beams, H-beams and girders are popularly used because of the reliability of the material in any weather condition. In particular, steel beams that have been treated in specific ways (such as the process of galvanisation) become resistant to corrosion which extends their lifespan and keeps them looking more aesthetically appealing for longer without significant maintenance work.
Recyclable
On top of the other benefits of using structural steel beams, you can also rest easy knowing that the material is recyclable, reducing construction waste and creating more sustainable structures.
The only real disadvantage of using structural steel beams is that they can be cumbersome due to the composition of the material. However, if they weren’t, they wouldn’t be so durable and long-lasting. While they can be harder to manoeuvre onto your construction site, the added planning and safety measures implemented to ensure that installation of the beams is crucial to a structurally stable building. Plus, if you need help transporting your structural steel, plenty of our online steel suppliers have HIAB or crane services you can benefit from.
The Traits of Wooden Beams
The best alternative material to compare to steel I-beams is wood, which has been used for a long time and is still used in projects across the UK. Here’s some of the vital information about wooden beams:
Versatility
Timber can be very easily cut and bent into desired shapes, depending on the needs of your project. However, the lack of strength compared to more modern materials such as structural steel means that more wooden beams need to be used to achieve the same result.
Cost
Timber frames are cheaper than alternative materials, partly due to their quick speed of construction. Sadly the price of timber in the UK has recently skyrocketed, following the aftereffects of Brexit and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Durability & Safety
One of the main disadvantages of wooden beams is that they are susceptible to many issues caused by weather conditions, including shrinkage, swelling and wood rot. This means that structures built with timber frames are less safe than structural steel buildings and require a high amount of maintenance.
Comparing Structural Steel Beams and Wooden Beams
Now that you’re aware of the main traits of both structural steel and timber beams, how do they directly compare against each other? Our steel fabrication experts have compared them based on the four key characteristics below to help you decide.
Safety
Due to the respective traits of their materials, structural steel beams can handle much heavier loads than timber beams, which is essential for building stability and makes them a far safer material to build with.
Durability
Steel support beams are the most durable option for construction projects, as the various available steel treatments help avoid corrosion of the beams, massively increasing the lifespan of your structure. Structural steel is also resistant to other issues, such as shrinkage and mould, making it a much easier material to maintain.
Design
The strength of metal support beams means that fewer beams are needed to support a structure when compared to wooden beams, which allows for wide-open floor plans that focus on design, which would be impossible when building with timber.
Cost
Wooden beams cost less on average than steel beams due to the added delivery and equipment costs of installing universal steel beams. However, the other advantages of structural steel could help save you money in the long run, making them a fantastic investment.
Contact a Steel Beam Supplier
Hopefully, this blog post has helped explain why structural steel columns and beams are the recommended option for construction projects. If you’re interested in ordering steel online, Buy A Beam are here to help. We work with local structural steel fabricators to fulfil orders to your specifications and offer a free steel beam calculator on our website to make the ordering process as simple as possible.