Comparing Steel Vs. Wood Garages: Which Is Right For You?

Did you know a garage can add up to an 11% increase in the value of your property? That’s right. So, adding a garage to your lot can be a good investment. However, if you install an attached garage, ensure your main gate has an aesthetic look. That being said, the next question is which material you should choose for your garage. Should it be wood or metal? We have prepared a quick comparison list for wood vs metal garages to ease your decision. Take a peek at it.

Durability

Metal tends to be more robust and long-lasting than wood. Metal panels and roofs are dense enough to prevent rodents such as mice from chewing through them. This means your steel garage will retain its structural integrity with time. Not only that, it does not get affected by pests and is non-combustible, i.e., it does not catch fire easily.

That implies it protects your vehicle more against nature’s elements than any other structure. You won’t need to replace panels and posts as often as the wooden ones.

Cost Comparison

Now, the precise cost of the wood or metal garage depends on the location and quality of the material. For instance, a prefab metal garage will cost about $8 to $30 per sq. ft., including shipping & construction. However, wood construction is far more expensive when you include the cost of its long-term effect maintenance.

Example: A two-car 24 ft. wide x 25 ft. long metal garage costs around $20,000, whereas a two-car 22-26 ft. wide x 20-24 ft. long wooden garage costs $16,000 to $46,000.

Installation

To compare the assembly time between wood and metal garages, we will assume a common size, i.e., 2,000 sq. ft. Then, for steel, it takes less than a week, and for wood, it would take around 6 to 8 weeks. A wooden garage may require more steps to get a permit and thorough inspection, especially if you live in regions with extreme weather conditions.

Clearly, metal is the winner. That’s because most of the parts of a steel garage are already cut, designed, and drilled in the factory. As the installation site, it just needs to be assembled. It also requires less labor for construction. Therefore, it saves you time and money & you can use your garage earlier.

Maintenance

Steel garage upkeep: You can clean steel structures with a regular garden hose or a pressure washer at the lowest setting. You can also use a mild detergent to remove any stains. Afterward, let it air dry. And that’s it. If you notice any minor rusting, sandpaper, primer, and metal paint are enough to fix it.

Wooden garage upkeep: Aah…! First, you must repaint and stain wood every year. Next, wood is an organic substance, so no matter how much you take care of it, it will rot and decay with time. This happens due to the absorption of moisture, which can expand wood, or the bending/ cracking of wood due to excessive heat. So, you must replace any compromised panels, beams, or frame parts with a new one.

Metal Roofs

Roof is a part of any structure that bears most of the wear & tear. One reason is that it is exposed 24/7 to the outside environment. Therefore, it is of uttermost importance that the roof of your garage has the highest endurance.

In most cases, wood garages' roofing felt or shingles are not enough to protect them from moisture development due to rain, high-speed winds, snowfall, or summer heat. Now, a vertical metal roof will slide off all dirt and debris toward the ground, keeping it clean.

Reflective paint can redirect sunlight, keeping the interior relatively cooler than the surroundings. In addition, adding an insulator to your metal roof will prevent heat transfer and put less pressure on the HAVC system to work.

Fire & Pest Protection

Your garage safeguards your car and holds your possessions. Therefore, it becomes essential to make it fire—and pest-resistant. Steel has a high melting point, which makes it more resistant to fire than wood. Wood is readily combustible and catches fire quickly. Once it starts burning, there is no stopping it.

Steel does not harbor insects, termites, or other pests. But wood is a natural home to all these creatures, which is why they are drawn to it.

Customization

While both wood & metal garages are customizable in their own ways, look at some of the features you may be surprised at.

Interior

First things first: You can’t have a wooden garage that is as large as you want without adding support beams. These supporting columns eat up the interior space and obstruct your floor plan.

Now, with steel structures, you can have as large as a 300-foot-wide building without interior support columns and the length of your choice. This gives you maximum use of your square footage and freedom to design floor plans according to your wishes.

Exterior

One reason people prefer wooden structures is because of their aesthetic appeal. That is also possible with metal these days. You can choose facade options like faux wood to give your garage that traditional look.

If you prefer to give a more contemporary look, faux stone, brick veneer, and curved metal panels are also great options to consider. For commercial garages, you can select perforated metal panels with a backlit LED showing your brand’s name or logo.

We understand that choosing the correct raw material is crucial for the longevity of your garage. You can buy a prefab metal garage kit that comes at a lower price, or you can even get metal garages for sale online. So, keep a keen eye on Steel Builder’s social media to know more about offers. Now, let’s have a recap of what we just talked about.

Wood Garages Vs Metal Garages

Upon Reflection

It can be said that … both steel and metal garages have their own pros and cons. But when it comes to durability and cost-effectiveness over the long term, you can rest assured that a metal garage will last long and with minimal upkeep. Before rushing into a decision, ensure that you look at your local building code & guidelines.