Did you know that there are more than 82 million garages owned by Americans? Additionally, it's interesting to note that half of all homeowners aspire to have a garage that their neighbors will envy. [source: website]. Are you considering getting a garage, but budget concerns you? The prefab metal garage is here as your savior. How? Well, let's jump in!

Before we begin, let's see how wooden garages can give you trouble.

First of all, there is the trouble of pest infestation. And as if that was not enough, you also get to protect it from rain and snowfall. Wood tends to absorb moisture, so it requires a regular coating.

Now, even if you manage to paint and get pest control, you still have to deal with the fact that wood, an organic compound, rots with time. It will raise a question about your garages' structural integrity. 

So, what to do? Wood is pervasive, but as our technology evolves, we get better options. Understandably, old habits are hard to die, but if you get a steel building garage, you will enjoy savings on cash and time. We know both are valuable to you, after all. Now, you may be intrigued & think what a steel garage can offer you.

Let’s see some core differences between metal garages vs wood garages.

Construction & Installation

Prefab metal garages are pre-drilled & pre-cut, engineered to precision. They need to be assembled at the construction site.

With wooden garages, installation time varies with changes required on-site when building. They can take weeks or even months to be erected.

Budgeting

Steel is cheaper than wood. It takes $14 per square foot to construct a metal garage.

With an increase in timber prices, modern wooden garage construction comes at a higher price point. Constructing a wooden garage takes $35-$65 per square foot.

[Source: Website]

Permit & Local Building Codes

It would be best to have a permit with a wood and metal garage before beginning construction on your property. Local building codes vary with the neighborhood and state where you live. To get a permit, you will need to show your garage blueprint to local authorities.

Resilience

It's a no-brainer that metals are more durable, flexible, and strong than their wooden counterpart.

Even with great care, you can't stop your wooden garage from decaying. It's a natural process.

Upkeep

Steel garages are usually low maintenance. They are made by a process called galvanization which coats layers of zinc to prevent them from rusting.

Wooden garages need high upkeep. You need to paint and re-paint if necessary. You need to hire pest control. Termites need to be kept in check. It sounds like a lot of work, doesn't it?

Sustainable

Steel is 100% recyclable. Metals can be melted down and recast without losing their strength.

Timbers are responsible for large deforestation everywhere. As per the National Alliance of Forest Owners, 7.8 million acres of forest (almost the size of Maryland) were cut down in 2019. [source: website]

Trees absorb a lot of CO2 from the air.

Lifespan

 Metal garages will prove to be a long-lasting investment for you.

With minimum maintenance, they can last for decades.

Constant upkeep will drain cash from your pocket. E.g., it takes a lot of money to replace or repair the wooden roof.

Safety

Metal buildings can survive the worst climate catastrophe with little to no repair (unless directly hit by a hurricane or tornadoes).

It can handle seismic activities, heavy rain, or snow loads.

Other the other hand, wooden garages are unlikely to survive harsh weather conditions.

Efficient

Both are similar in terms of efficiency. But you will save more time and money on the construction & installation of a metal garage than a wooden one. 

Let's jump to a quick comparison between steel and wood garages for those of you in a hurry.

Metal Garages vs. Wood Garages

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* Metal garage sellers offer many customization options, so it's best to know what's available before buying

In a nutshell:

A prefab metal garage is the best choice if you are considering buying a new one. But wait, with all the advantages we discuss above, and there's more. With little tweaks, you can convert your steel building garages into an extra bedroom, workshop, personal gym, storage unit, home office, and much more.

You can customize your metal garage too, request a quote from the steel dealers, and see which one suits your likeness & budget. If you want to know more about customization options, call your metal building supplier today!