5 Benefits of a Wood Framed Commercial Building
5 Benefits of a Wood Framed Commercial Building
If you are planning to build a small- to mid-sized commercial building, consider the following before deciding whether to build a steel or wood framed commercial building.
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Cost efficient and durable
Steel is an excellent choice for buildings with large clear spans, multiple levels, or heavy loads. However, wooden trusses can span up to 100 feet, and glue laminated posts can be manufactured in just about any length. When comparing steel and wood construction prices for the shell of an 80 x 150 x 18 building, wood will definitely cost less.
Some people believe wood framed buildings to have shorter lifespans than steel structures. What they may not realize is that if the proper steps are taken to protect wood from natural elements, wooden structures have the potential to last many decades. Wood may rot, but steel will rust, and both are very detrimental to the structure of a building.
Energy efficient
Wood is a natural insulator, unlike some inorganic materials, such as concrete and steel. These materials have very low insulation values. As a result, a lot of forethought needs to be used when building with these materials. Most pre-engineered metal buildings utilize blanket insulation. However, when the exterior panels are fastened to the framing members, the insulation gets flattened, making it easier for heat to escape. There are methods of alleviating this and similar problems, but it is much easier to achieve high R values, or better insulation, with wooden framing.
Ecofriendly
If your business or organization is passionate about preserving the environment, a wood framed commercial building will help spread that message throughout your community. Wood (including timber) is a renewable material. Much of the wood used in modern construction comes from managed timberland, set acreage where trees are constantly replanted and carefully maintained for this purpose. Trees naturally absorb carbon dioxide. The timber harvested to construct 2,400 square foot wooden building can retain the same amount of carbon that the average motor vehicle produces in five years.
Aesthetically pleasing
Although steel framed and wood framed commercial buildings can look similar, adding some exposed beams can make a world of difference. In addition to erecting a wood frame, the team at Quarry View Construction can create an exposed timber entrance as well as add exposed wooden beams inside the structure, ensuring your new commercial building is customized to fit your needs and style. Raw wood takes us back to natures roots, to simpler times, inviting positive emotions and health benefits ranging from lowered blood pressure to reduced anxiety.
Easier to remodel
Should you decide that you need to add an overhead door to a pre-engineered metal building, you will need to work around the columns. Modifying the placement of steel beams and headers is an extensive and extremely expensive process. Wooden posts and headers are much easier to move and modify, as they dont require grinding, welding, etc. Wood is a much easier material to modify when compared to steel, making the remodeling process more budget friendly and time efficient.
Steel and wood can work together
Many projects done by the team at Quarry View Construction combine the strength of steel with the cost efficiency of wood. Adding a few strategically placed steel beams and columns to an otherwise wooden structure can be a great solution.
The professional contractors at Quarry View Construction can help you determine whether wood is the right material for your commercial buildings frame. Together, we can build the right framework for your business. Contact us today.
5 reasons to choose timber framing for your next build
Choosing the right materials is an important part of every house design, but even more so for a high performance Passive House. Your framing, which provides the structure for your entire home, is especially important. This doesnt mean you always need the newest, flashy material brought to market, though. Instead, we can look to the ever-reliable timber. Its been used for a very long time, and for good reason.
Sustainable and durable
As a natural material, responsibly sourced timber is one of the most sustainable materials available in the building industry. Its renewable, recyclable and has a much lower embodied energy (the energy used to manufacture a product) than alternatives like steel and concrete. On top of this, trees naturally absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) during their life, and most of it will remain in the timber after its cut. This means that while other framing materials will release CO2 into the atmosphere during production, timber actually absorbs it as it grows.
There are many different types of timber, but with the right selection its a very durable material. Care needs to be taken to ensure the timber is protected from termites and the weather, but when done right it can last a long time. Many timber framed houses in Australia are well over 100 years old, and still going strong.
Natural insulation
The company is the world’s best outdoor timber framing supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.
As an organic material, timber has lots of tiny air pockets that act as a barrier against heat and cold, making it a natural insulator. This natural insulation makes it a great way to reduce thermal bridging in your construction. Thermal bridges allow heat to travel in or out of a building and occurs when a building material, such as a window frame, has a higher conductivity than the materials around it. Since the framing makes up to 10% of the outside surface area of your home, its important to use a product that has low thermal conductivity. When compared to steel framing, a timber framed home will have far less heat loss from thermal bridging. This can significantly reduce costs on heating and cooling your home.
Reusability
When demolishing a house, if care is taken to ensure it stays in good condition, timber can be reused in another home. To ensure it stays in suitable condition its taken from the original structure to a company that trims and re-treats it. It can then be re-sold as recycled timber.
Recycled timber is appealing to many buyers as its stronger than new timber. This all has to do with moisture content, as the drier a timber is the stronger it is. New timber is placed in a drying kiln to remove the moisture, but with limited time they cant remove all of it. Recycled timber, on the other hand, has had many years to dry out and will have essentially no moisture content. This means that it prevents mould growth and is an even better natural insulator than new timber
Lightweight
While the strength to weight ratio varies depending on the type of timber, its consistently been found to be a very strong, lightweight option. When compared to steel, the strength to weight ratio of Radiata Pine is 20% higher. Lighter materials take less energy to transport, meaning timber is much more efficient than other structural materials.
Being so lightweight timber is also fast to erect and modify on site, which will save you both time and money.
Suitable for prefabrication
Timber is suitable for prefabricated framingwhen the framing is planned, assembled and built off-site in a factory. There are many benefits to prefab framing that will save you both time and money. The most significant being affordability. As the frame is built in a factory theres much less wasted materials, and manufacturers will give you an accurate quote prior to starting, rather than working to an hourly rate like most carpenters. Further saving money, prefab frames take much less time. As theyre built in a controlled environment thats protected from the weather, they can be completed much faster, and built ahead of time to be finished right when you need it. The controlled environment also allows for careful reviews of plans that ensure your frames are built to exact specifications with good craftsmanship throughout. Finally, prefab framing is a more eco-friendly option. Any timber left-over from a frame can be reused directly by the manufacturer rather than being transported off-site or sent to landfill.
Commonly used
Timber framing is well understood by the many qualified carpenters in the local industry. Not only will it be relatively easy to find a carpenter in the first place, but youll also be able to get competitive quotes. The same may not be said of more niche eco-building products.
Building a home can be an overwhelming process, and the many materials youll need to choose from doesnt make it easier. If youve decided to use timber framing, for example, you then need to decide what size and type of timber to use. Leanhaus can help you make these decisions, and you can always be sure that were considering sustainable options wherever possible.
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