Steel frames vs. woods frames – which option is better for your project? To answer this question, we must first look at the pros and cons of steel framing and wood framing. Here at Falcon, we modify steel shipping containers into structures for working, living, and storage, so we’ve come to understand that there is a time and place for steel, wood, and shipping container construction. Let’s take a closer look at each option.
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Steel vs. Wood Framing
Steel Framing
Steel framing is an alternative to wood framing that comes with many of its own benefits. Although it is less common for traditional construction jobs, it can often be an ideal choice for many projects and may even be cheaper than wood framing in some cases.
Pros:
- Stronger than wood – more structurally sound in storms
- Lighter than wood frames
- Non-combustible
- More resistant to water damage than wood framing – doesn’t expand or warp the same way wood does
- Less likely to attract fungus
Cons:
- More difficult to insulate than wood framing – due to the fact that heat energy easily moves through steel, instead of impeding it
- Potential to rust
Wood Framing
Wood framing is the traditional construction choice. The majority of construction today utilizes wood framing to create a variety of buildings, so many benefits come attached to the familiarity of wood framing.
When we compare wood framing to steel construction, certain characteristics stand out more than others, such as the fact that wood framing is heavier than steel framing. Or that wood framing is more combustible than steel. Although, as the traditional choice for construction, many builders are familiar with wood framing and many owners understand what to expect from wood construction.
Pros:
- Natural thermal insulator – wood more easily impedes thermal energy and acts as a heat barrier, unlike steel
- Easier to find experienced contractors, architects, and other construction contributors who are familiar with using wood framing
Cons:
- Potential to rot
- Potential to attract insects
- Combustible
Using Shipping Containers in Construction
It’s become increasingly popular to create container-based buildings by stacking and joining shipping containers. Builders are utilizing the shipping container itself as part of the building’s framing. Shipping container construction is not the same as steel framing, but because containers are made from corten steel, they have a lot of the same benefits.
One of the greatest benefits of building with shipping containers is the simple, building block-style of construction. Easily stack containers to create larger structures. Simply lift the pre-modified units – manufactured offsite – by a crane and place the units together as needed. Utilizing shipping containers often helps to shorten construction schedules and keep projects within budget.
Steel vs. Wood Framing Within Modified Shipping Containers
Project managers that use shipping containers as the structural bones of a building also need to make a choice about the internal framing of each modified shipping container. Once the choice is made, manufacturers can properly modify each container offsite, adding either wood or steel framing prior to insulation.
The choice between wood vs. steel framing inside a shipping container depends on the priorities of the project. If the owners wish to minimize the chances of combustion, steel framing within a container is likely the best solution. If the owners require a structure that maximizes insulation, wood framing may be the best option. It’s important to discuss your project requirements with your container manufacturer so they can advise you as needed.
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Keep in mind that even though shipping containers easily stack together to create larger structures, the established container sizes can limit design options. It is incredibility important to maintain the structural integrity of the containers, meaning that the dimensions and structural elements of the containers should be respected when designing a container-based structure. It is important to work with individuals and organizations that are familiar with shipping container construction to ensure the building remains structurally safe.
If you’d like to learn more about the container floor plans Falcon Structures offers, download our free catalogs here. Subscribe below to receive our weekly blog in your inbox and learn more about the possibilities of modified shipping containers.
Sustainable designs have been trending for the past few years. One such trend that has been going around is the re-use of shipping freight boxes. They are modified into houses and office spaces due to their convenient size and durability. The freight boxes, when changed, requires extra support. For this reason, it is essential to frame shipping containers when modifying them. The most common materials to choose between are – steel or wood.
These rigid members impart support and shape to traditional structures. The heavy-duty steel body of a freight box offers adequate support and does not require interior framing. Instead, shipping freight box frames help you attach drywall, spray foam insulation, or make extra doors and windows.
Different Types of frames for shipping containers
Frames for modified shipping containers are made of either wood or metal. Metal framing is made of steel or aluminium. Each fixture has advantages and disadvantages that make it suited for various uses. Read through, and by the end, you’ll be able to decide which one to opt for: steel or wood frames.
Steel Frames
Steel fixtures are an alternative to wood fixtures. They generally have numerous advantages of their own. They are less prevalent in traditional construction work but are often an excellent alternative for many projects.
Pros:
- They are more robust than wooden fixtures making them more structurally sound.
- Steel fixtures are lighter than wood fixtures.
- They are non-combustible.
- They are more resistant to water damage than wood framing – it doesn’t expand or warp the same way wood does.
- Less likely to attract fungus.
Cons:
- It is more challenging to insulate than wood framing because steel is a better conductor of heat than impeding it.
- Potential to rust.
Wood Frames
Wood framing is used in most structures nowadays; there are several advantages to being familiar with it. Certain qualities of wood framing stand out more than others when compared to steel framing, such as that wood framing is heavier than steel framing. Or that wood framing is more flammable than a steel frame. Engineers have effectively used this natural resource to create a range of structures, even though certain qualities of wood can be challenging when used for construction.
Pros:
Natural thermal insulator — unlike steel, wood quickly impedes thermal energy and works as a heat barrier.
Locating skilled wood fixture builders, architects, and other construction participants is more accessible.
Cons:
- Wood fixtures are quicker to rot.
- These frames can succumb to insect infestation.
- They can easily catch fire as wood is a combustible material.
Steel vs Wood Framing Within Modified Shipping Containers
Project managers that use freight boxes as the structural bones of a building also need to choose the internal framing of each modified shipping container. Once the choice is made, manufacturers can appropriately change each container offsite, adding wood or steel fixtures before insulation.
The choice between wood or steel framing inside a shipping container depends on the project’s requirements. A steel fixture within a container is likely the best choice if the owners want to reduce the possibilities of combustion. A wood fixture may be the best alternative if the owners wish to construct as insulated as possible. It is critical to discuss your project specifications with your manufacturer so that they can assist you as needed.
Typical Uses of Shipping Container Frames
Insulating your shipping container house requires framing. Add spray foam or fibreglass panels to your container to keep it warm. Fixtures can be used to support extra doors and windows. Electric lines, plumbing, and other services can be hidden behind wooden fixtures. A steel frame can strengthen the structural integrity of your cargo boxes.
Remember that while shipping containers may readily be stacked together to form more significant buildings, the standard container sizes might limit design alternatives. Maintaining the structural integrity of the cargo boxes is essential because the cargo boxes’ dimensions and structural elements should be respected when designing a container-based structure. Working with individuals and organizations familiar with shipping container construction is essential to ensure the building remains structurally safe.
LOTUS Containers – your one-stop destination for all things shipping containers
Since 2008, LOTUS Containers has been one of the leading providers of shipping container solutions. We supply shipping and storage cargo boxes worldwide at affordable and flexible prices. We are a global participant in container trade with representative offices worldwide. As a result, we have exceptionally sound market knowledge. Wherever it might be, no location is out of reach for us. We not only provide intermodal transportation for shipping containers that you have purchased, but we also provide several other services. For example, we give a buyback service in which we buy back the shipping containers you purchased from us and pay you a reasonable price, so you don’t have to worry about where and when to sell your cargo boxes.
At LOTUS Containers, we will handle everything for you, from container purchasing to intermodal container transportation for shipping containers purchased from us. With sites and representative offices all over, we provide worldwide and local knowledge to our customers, delivering the appropriate cargo boxes for your needs, whether for shipping, storage, or freight. Whatever you need, be assured that we will have a solution for you. Contact us if you have any queries.
Contact us to discuss your requirements of steel structure frame container house. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.