Is steel cheaper than wood? It’s an age-old question predated only by the Industrial Revolution. Although a steel building might initially cost more than a wooden structure, a steel metal building is ultimately the more cost-effective option. Steel buildings are more durable than wooden buildings and can withstand high winds and persistent moisture permeation. Furthermore, steel is fire-resistant and virtually impervious to insect invasions. While no garage or storage building is immune from violent weather effects, investing in a steel-metal building offers unrivaled protection for decades, thus saving you thousands long-term, factoring in replacement costs for inferior structures. We pride ourselves in engineering superior steel arch buildings and Quonset huts that protect your car, tools, boats, RVs, and equipment while providing additional onsite storage for your growing family. Like most products, cheaper isn’t always better, especially when replacing pricy and irreplaceable heirlooms and tools.
Why Was Steel Cheaper Than Wood in 2024? What About 2025 Prices?
2024 was an unprecedented year for residential building and manufacturing. Although pandemic-induced market anomalies skyrocketed wood prices briefly above steel market shares, the building craze has stabilized, with materials pricing falling back to pre-pandemic thresholds. However, the grumblings of Trump’s incoming tear on tariffs is already causing a price hike with domestic producers looking to get a head start on material procurement in a lead-up to imposed duties. Although tariff misinformation galvanizes political ideologies while agitating their respective constituents, confusion persists among American consumers on who pays for the tariffs. Domestic importers of foreign goods pay tariffs to the federal treasury. While some foreign producers might absorb tariff costs for continued access to American markets, the domestic consumer (you) invariably foots the bill for the extra markup. Misinformed consumers are already stockpiling common household items, including toilet paper, before Trump signs off on his proposed tariffs.
Steel Buildings Are Virtually Tariff Proof
The “Is steel cheaper than wood” debate could be the least of your worries if Trump follows through on a bizarre tariff spree. Trump has proposed 20 percent across-the-board duties on all foreign products, with a higher price hike forecasted for Chinese products. Conservative policymakers claim the tariffs will return American manufacturing stateside, but any suggested relocation could take decades while the American consumer is left holding the bag. Fortunately, steel buildings are better situated to ride out the tariff blitz than prefabricated wooden buildings. Canada has historically been America’s top supplier for our domestic wood needs. While wooden building manufacturers have tried to sidestep Canadian tariffs by shifting to European producers, this market could be left reeling from the strong headwinds forecasted to come under the universal tariff system.
Steel arch buildings are a quieting force in a tumultuous economic climate. Steel buildings can last decades longer than wooden ones, making them a time-tested, cost-effective option in volatile markets. Steel buildings are also the most construction-efficient material, requiring less time to fabricate and assemble. Each Steel Arch Quonset hut can be quickly assembled in an afternoon – a DIYer’s dream while they’re already fantasizing about the next building project to tackle at home. Unlike wood, which expands and contracts with condensation, steel arch buildings remain rigid in construction and durability, providing decades of lasting support for your car, tools, and equipment.
