Steel Vs Timber In Kit Home Construction

By Author: Ben Wall
Total Articles: 40
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Nothing beats the durability of a house built with standard construction, so long as everything follows through to the dot and according to council laws. Unfortunately, the current state of the housing market leans in favor of those who prioritize budget over anything else. If you'd rather build a home which is sensitive to your current financial situation, then you should consider cost-effective alternatives instead. You can actually put up a new home with a skeleton crew and at a fraction of the cost of a standard brick-and-mortar house. If you've seen kit homes built with skill before, then there should be plenty of reasons to consider one the next time you plan on having an extension set up on your property.

Timber Frames Are Durable, Doable

There's a variety of materials to choose from in the construction, but you're usually limited to a handful with the framing. Timber is a favorite for those who don't want to compromise design for the sake of cost-efficiency. Indeed, a timber-framed home looks like it was made with no expense spared, but in actuality you'll likely invest more money compared to steel-framed ...
... construction. Timber homes have the advantage of flexibility, since you're able to customize parts to fit even if everything's setup and built. The drawback involves the tendency of wood to bend and shrink with age and with changes in temperature, so you're really not investing for the long haul with timber.

The Superiority of Steel Construction

Steel has plenty of outstanding qualities going for it, especially if you want to assure your construction's durability. So long as the material is tempered and built to meet the demands of the specifications, you can’t go wrong with steel framing. Steel is also immune from all sorts of infestations, especially termites. You'll still have to invest in the treatment, though, as some parts of the house is made out of wood. Floorboards, the ceiling, and even the fixtures are notorious termite bait unless you pretreat these, along with any other materials placed adjacent to these.

Steel is weather-resistant, comparably lightweight, and the construction material is just as easy to assemble as the others. It looks like a steel-framed home is the outstanding choice in construction, that is if you don't know the metal quickly buckles under extreme temperature and offers very limited options in customization. In terms of energy-efficiency and environmental impact, timber has the advantage because it's taken from a regulated and renewable supply of trees. Producing timber is more energy-efficient compared to steel, but it's non-recyclable and eventually useless. Steel can be cut, melted, and molded into new, serviceable shapes, even though the process consumes more energy.

Your Choice is Really a Toss-up

In the long run, it's your choice as a homebuilder which matters. As long as your kit home is built with local council laws in mind, then you can't go wrong regardless of the material you use for the construction. It's fortunate that there are plenty of suppliers willing to provide the materials, the consultation, and the labor you need. You can visit Valley Kit Homes if you're looking for options in design and construction. The variety should ensure your new home or extension meets your needs in creature comforts and then some.