Waste
Winner: Steel
Why: Steel frames and trusses are very precisely designed and manufactured, meaning less waste is
generated in this stage of the process. Whereas naturally occurring imperfections in timber can
render a certain amount of the manufactured timber as unworkable. To add to this, steel can be
recycled over and over again without compromising its properties!
Weather-resistance
Winner: Timber
Why: Steel frames can rust and corrode in coastal areas if the steel itself is substandard and the
structure isn’t properly installed by a reputable builder, such as our partners. However, this is
generally only an issue in coastal areas. On the flipside, steel won’t warp or twist as timber can.
Pest-resistance
Winner: Steel
Why: Timber frames will require upfront and ongoing protection against pests such as termites,
whereas steel frames do not.
Disaster-resistance
Winner: Steel
Why: Steel structures tend to hold up extremely well during natural disasters such as those we see in
Australia – floods and fires. This is due to the high strength and durability of the material itself, as
well as the high integrity of steel structures.
Carbon-footprint
Winner: It’s a tie!
Why: This is a difficult one to weigh up for many factors, but here are some worth considering:
● Timber “locks away” more carbon than steel, however, the timber industry requires
more deforestation
● The production of steel is more energy intensive and therefore produces more
carbon, however, steel can be recycled infinitely
● Steel is just as strong – if not stronger – than timber but is lighter. In terms of
transport and logistics, this can go a long way in reducing our carbon footprint
● Steel structures, arguably, afford better sealing of doors and windows, lessening loss
of heat in colder climates, however, some experts argue that timber is less likely to
heat up as much in the warmer months – requiring less use of air conditioning
As you can see, there are pros and cons to building with both steel and timber. At AusSteel, we
genuinely believe the many benefits of steel make it the optimal choice for frames and trusses.
When it comes to strength, durability, and reliability – nothing beats AusSteel frames.
