Two of the most popular materials two use when building a garage are metal and wood. Both are excellent choices, but of course one must be better than the other.
One of the biggest factors that homeowners consider is the price, though it is not necessarily about looking for the cheaper one at the point of purchase. These days, property owners are smarter than that. What they are looking for right now is which one is more cost-effective in the long run.
Wood garage overview
People are more used to using wood – a traditional material for building structures. In general, wood garages are more expensive than wood, though a lot of people prefer it over metal. You can either buy a prefabricated wood kit or hire a builder to build a garage from scratch.
Advantages of using wood
1. It is more attractive
Wood is more pleasing to the eyes compared to wood. There are more finishes, colors, and designs you can do with it. You can even opt to paint it to match your house.
2. Easy to construct
Since wood is a traditional material, every professional builder and DIY individual knows how to use it. All it takes is a few simple tools and skills to build a garage.
3. It is energy efficient
It is easier to insulate wood garages than metal ones. They stay cooler during hot days and stay warm during winter.
Steel garage overview
Metal garages are easy to build and cost-effective. More and more people are getting excited about the prospects of using metal for their garage because of these advantages. Metal garages are great for parking your vehicles, storing your equipment, use as workshops, and industrial use.
Most metal garages have parts that are made in a factory. In short, they are prefabricated. When these prefabricated parts are delivered to your property, you will only need to assemble your garage. Sure, it may not be as simple as assembling a jigsaw puzzle, but it would not be as difficult as building a garage from the ground up. That is why if you have some experience in constructing a building, or you love DIYs, you can save plenty of money putting up your garage.
Advantages of a steel garage
1. It is cheaper
You can save a lot on labor costs because most metal garages are prefabricated. You need not worry about hiring many workers to help you build a garage.
2. It is more durable
Metal garages last longer than wood. It does not rot, does not attract pests and molds, and is invulnerable to heat, rain, and snow.
3. Environment-friendly
Steel is recyclable. There is also no need to cut trees to produce them. Plus, if your garage no longer serves its purpose, you can simply recycle its components.
How much do metal garages and wood garages cost?
Metal garages cost from $5,000 to $30,000. On the other hand, wood garages cost $10,000 to $15,000.
While the cost of building your garage would depend on several factors, the long-term benefits of metal garages like the ones we mentioned above will make the initial costs worth it.
