Thinking Steel? Here’s Why Wood Might Be a Better Fit

I was on a call the other day with a customer who was trying to decide between a pre-engineered steel building and a post-frame (wood) building. They basically said, “Sell me on the wood frame—why is it better?”

Fair question. Here’s what I told them:

1. Flexibility for the Future – A wood post-frame building is easy to modify. Want to add mezzanines, shelving, or extra rooms later? No problem—wood is simple to work with. Steel buildings? Not so much. They’re designed in a way that makes changes a lot harder unless you know your way around metal.

2. A Better Interior Finish – With wood buildings, you can finish the inside however you want—white metal liner, Truss core panels, plywood, you name it. Steel buildings? Most of the time, you're staring at the back of some rolled-out insulation or spray foam. Not exactly the clean, polished look most people want.

3. No Hidden Costs – When we quote a post-frame building, it includes labor and everything upfront. With steel kits, a lot of companies conveniently forget to mention extra costs—like foundation work, engineering, and assembly. You might think you’re getting a deal until all the hidden expenses start adding up.

   
   

Now, are steel buildings completely useless? Not at all. If you’re building a massive warehouse or industrial facility, steel has its place. But for most shops, barns, and hangars, post-frame gives you way more flexibility, a better finish, and fewer surprises on price.