Tips & Tricks
Steel Buildings vs. Traditional Construction: What’s Best for You (Home or Business)?
Mar 22, 2024
Written by

Chase Nystrom
Founder
Chase Nystrom brings over a decade of hands-on experience to crafting durable, custom steel structures with a passion that makes every project feel like play.
Hey there, I’m Chase Nystrom, the guy behind this steel building company, and I’m here to tackle a question I get a lot: steel buildings or traditional construction, which is better? Whether you’re dreaming of a backyard workshop for your hobbies or a warehouse for your business, I’ve got you covered. I’ve been around the block, spent years building power lines before diving into steel, and I’ve seen both sides of this debate. I’m a steel guy, but I’ll keep it real with you, maybe toss in a laugh while we’re at it.
Let’s talk personal use, say you’re building a garage for your vintage car or a shed for your gardening gear. Traditional construction, like wood framing, has classic charm. Picture a cute barn, painted red to match your house. But wood rots, warps, and invites termites to feast. In places like Wisconsin or Michigan, with heavy snow and humid summers, that wood needs constant care. I helped a buddy fix his wooden shed after a storm, it looked like a sad, soggy sandwich.
Steel buildings laugh at the weather. They’re tough, corrosion-resistant with galvanized steel, and go up fast, about 45 days on average. You’ll be parking your Mustang in there before your neighbor picks their lumber. Steel’s often 20-30% cheaper upfront, and you’re not paying for repairs every year.
Now for business, since I know many of you run farms or small shops needing space. Traditional construction works if you want something super custom, like a brick storefront for your cafe. But it’s slow, think months, and pricey with labor costs that add up fast. Steel buildings are practical. Need a warehouse for ag equipment? We can have it up quickly, and it’ll withstand tough weather, including Wisconsin's erratic weather patterns.
A client of mine went traditional for his storage unit, six months later he faced a $5,000 leaky roof fix. Steel gives you durability, low maintenance, and flexibility to expand later. It’s like a Swiss Army knife of buildings, but without the tiny scissors that never work. So, what’s the verdict? If you love traditional aesthetics and don’t mind upkeep, wood or brick might be your pick. But for most of us, steel wins for both home and business. I love working with steel, it’s like a giant puzzle I solve daily, and I’m here to help you find what fits your life. Got questions? Drop me a line, I’m always up for a chat about buildings or a good fish fry spot.