Metal vs. Wood for Your Iowa Garage
Iowa is well known for agriculture, art, and roadside attractions. Its tough independence is lauded in the famous lyrics of Meredith Wilson’s “The Music Man”, where a chorus of townspeople urge everyone, “You ought to give Iowa a try!”
However, this beautiful state of farming communities is often plagued by natural disasters. Tornadoes, floods, and landslides are all common problems. Heatwaves, drought, and power outages are also annual occurrences. In 2020, a deadly derecho tore through Iowa and caused billions in damage.
How can Iowa residents prepare for the future? When it comes to investing in an Iowa garage, what is the best possible material to withstand extreme weather? Should you erect your garage with a wooden frame or a metal one? This article will provide the answer!
When it comes to construction, choosing the correct material is essential. Your garage will represent a significant investment of both time and money. Determining which material you will use is an important factor in the long-term structural integrity of your building.
As you begin the design process, ask yourself the following questions: what are you storing in your garage? How will you be using your garage? After all, the modern American garage is more than a car shelter. It may be a home gym, a hobby space, a workshop, and household storage. These may influence your design choices.
In the past, builders have chosen to build with wood instead of steel for economic reasons. Over the last few years, however, lumber has tripled in price, while steel has remained a stable global commodity. Now, a metal garage is a far more affordable choice than a wooden one. Steel frames are increasingly popular all over the world, valued for their durability, strength, and cost-effectiveness.
Steel has incredible tensile strength, far greater than wood. Because of steel’s ductile nature, it can absorb incredible pressure without breaking. This is why the world’s tallest skyscrapers are built with high-grade steel and why Steel Carports builds its quality frames with steel! The only question is, why would you choose anything else?
Cold-formed steel is rated as a Type 1 material by the International Building Code (IBC). What does that mean? It’s the highest possible fire safety rating for any material! Steel is fire-resistant, pest-resistant, and mold-resistant. It’s an incredibly safe material and will last for decades. Wood, on the other hand, is prone to termites, rot, and a host of other issues, especially as it degrades over time. This decision couldn’t be easier; steel is the safest choice!
Steel Carports designs every Iowa metal garage with a clear span truss system. That means that you have the freedom to use the interior for a variety of activities! Clear span design requires no interior pillars, columns, or load-bearing walls. Unlike wooden structures, steel buildings are meant to have flexible floorplans that are easily changed. Imagine the possibilities!
Save money initially and long term! When you purchase a metal garage from Steel Carports, you get the best deal upfront and a steel building that will require little maintenance for decades. Metal buildings need very little upkeep. Never pay for pest inspections or shingle repair again!
Choose from a variety of foundations, and Steel Carports will ensure that your anchors will keep your garage stable. Depending on your soil composition, you may want concrete, asphalt, or gravel! Your new metal garage will stand the test of time.
Steel is 100% recyclable! Some consumers assume that wood is more eco-friendly, but wood is often treated with toxic chemicals for durability. Wood scraps are burned or trashed. Steel is made without any toxic chemicals, and steel scraps are melted down to be used again and again. Prove your commitment to the planet by investing in steel!
Your insurance company will offer lower premiums on a steel garage because of its increased safety ratings. You can look forward to years of energy-efficient bills and low maintenance! Do you enjoy saving money? Invest in a metal garage!
Remember that Iowa weather? Here’s the good news: metal garages by Steel Carports are rated to withstand winds up to 140mph and snow loads up to 35psf! Our building specialists offer thicker steel gauges for reinforced frames, and our experts will ensure that every component is certified to meet your local codes. Face the future with confidence in a Steel Carports metal garage!
Are you ready to invest in the very best garage for you? Steel Carports builds the strongest steel buildings at the best prices! Our close relationships with nationwide steel manufacturers allow us to pass incredible savings on to you – our valued customer. We offer lead times as low as six weeks!
Our customer service team offers the greatest financing and rent-to-own options in the industry, so you can get the garage you deserve right away. Call now at (833) 647-8335 and discover how Steel Carports will deliver the garage you need at a price you’ll love!
Let our experts help you get the steel building you need.
