When you work with wood, you are going to spend a lot of money on labor costs for the skilled laborers to cut wood to size, frame, and drill holes for all the electrical work and more. At CDMG, we utilize software like Building Information Modeling 3D software to design and develop the structure prior to construction. But one question still remains – Hollow Core Panels or iSPAN’s cold-formed steel framing systems? iSPAN’s floor and roof systems are quick and easy to install, and they’re designed to work with a variety of building materials, including ICF. To maintain the ideal appearance of your wooden structure, a new coat of paint is necessary every four to seven years − with touch-ups in between. Since a steel frame is lighter in weight than wood, there are also fewer cracks in the building's foundation. However, it requires several special trades and longer construction timeframes. Adding these elements will also help to save you consistent money on energy bills. The Total-Lewis-Deck forms a strong, permanent bond with the concrete and acts as a reinforcement for the slab. The amount of time and money you will spend in repairs and efforts to keep a wood building (which is a material that naturally deteriorates over time) standing will far exceed the cost of building a pre-engineered steel … Unlike wood frame construction, ICF wall construction doesn’t require fire stops, sheathing, house wrap, gypsum wallboard, or separate steps for insulation and continuous insulation. Short Term Costs. Wood also absorbs moisture, which can dry out and warp the wood when it finally dries. Steel buildings are prefabricated offsite and are easy to assemble when they arrive. Among its many benefits, Composite TotalJoist offers higher acoustic and fire ratings than wood flooring systems. Wood structured buildings have a traditional-looking aesthetic that people are drawn to. Sometimes, a concrete topping or a thin leveling layer is required to even out the plank and accommodate the chosen finishes. Additionally, when ICF is combined with one of iSPAN’s cold-formed steel framing systems, the components can be assembled off-site with minimal labour, further reducing the need for special trades and special building materials. New Jersey building cost reflects 2019 pricing and includes the impact of construction-phase builders risk and general liability insurance premiums. New NRMCA study explores the advantages of building commercial structures with ICF and cold-formed steel. This is due primarily to the fact that wood is a natural resource that’s typically available in abundance – it doesn’t need to be poured, mixed, or created. © Copyright iSPAN Systems LP, Patents Apply & Patents Pending, Install electrical (no plumbing in exterior). The amount of time and money you will spend in repairs and efforts to keep a wood building (which is a material that naturally deteriorates over time) standing will far exceed the cost of building a pre-engineered steel structure. This requires a construction specialist to dedicate a lot of valuable time to cutting the lumber and fabricating the building's framework on the job site. A subsidiary of the STEVENS family of companies, CDMG offers full-service, multi-discipline engineering, project management, and construction management services for projects nationwide. Pink Mold: Is it Dangerous? Looking only at the initial price tag, a wooden structure may seem more appealing. Give us a call or click the button below to get started today! Whether ICF is combined with Hollow Core panels or iSPAN’s cold-formed steel systems, it results in higher operating income than wood. In a recent cost comparison study, the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association (NRMCA) explored whether cold-formed steel, concrete, or wood was the best building material for a new Fairfield Inn & Suites in St. Louis, Missouri. Although the initial cost of a wooden structure is a little more favorable than a steel building structure, the money you spend over time repairing damages and making renovations will exceed what you'd spend on building a steel structure to begin with. For example, the Candlewood Suites in Omaha, Nebraska used ICF because it reduced the total construction schedule, improved energy efficiency, and provided superior noise abatement. Steel, on the other hand, can be recycled time and time again without losing any of its strength. After assessing operating income and the construction process, ICF has some clear advantages over wood. CDMG offers customizable pre-engineered steel buildings to fit your tastes and needs. ICF walls are installed one story at a time. Looking at the cost over time, it makes more sense financially to build a steel structure. With construction materials, you truly do get what you pay for. New Carpet Smell: Is it Safe? Can You Use Latex Paint over an Oil Based Primer? Steel structures are incredibly energy efficient in design. Wood does not transfer heat as easily as steel does, which is a positive for wood. We at CDMG pride ourselves on only using pre-engineered steel that is 90% recycled. Additionally, the NRMCA study showed that ICF wall construction requires a less complex process than wood frame construction, resulting in further cost savings. Similarly, ICF enabled the Holiday Inn Express in Louisville, Kentucky to shave nearly 6 months off its construction schedule, reaching completion in just 10 months. Source: SFIA and raSmith, “Costs to Build with Cold-Formed Steel Versus a Wood-Framed Building” This is due to the fact that steel is incredibly durable and resistant to many destructive elements. Putting together your steel … You could build a wood framed wall with nails for about $42. Concrete’s thermal mass improves energy efficiency and helps maintain internal temperatures without excessive heating and cooling. Building that same wall with metal framing would cost between $54 and $55. For more reasons a steel building is better than a wood building read 5 Ways Steel Buildings Are Eco-friendly. Because there are fewer steps, ICF wall construction uses fewer materials and requires fewer special trades. ICF floor and roof systems are more labour-intensive. A steel structure, however, maintains its integrity longer and will not require a lot, if any, annual maintenance. However, this means that the wood framework does still need to be insulated, and that evens out the savings for both materials in the energy efficient category. The metal roof that you incorporate into your steel building will also help to increase the energy efficiency of your structure. To find out more about iSPAN Systems’ cold-formed steel framing, contact us today. For projects in the United States, reach out to one of our Authorized Dealers. This software allows us to cut down on time spent during the construction phase because BIM allows any problems or potential roadblocks to be fixed before the erection stage even begins. There are several types of woods and wood types that come from different regions, which can result in a variety of quality levels and usable material, leaving behind as much as 20% wasted scraps. And compared to wood, cold-formed steel has less limitations on height, produces less waste, and results in a higher quality product. Construction costs are significantly higher for a metal frame. The NRMCA study also provided case studies of several other hotels that had used ICF instead of wood construction.