Steel or Wood Framing:
Which Way Should We Go?

Wood frame construction has been the unchallenged norm for residential building in North America for decades. Over the last few years, however, volatile wood prices, declining quality of framing lumber, and environmental concerns have led many builders to consider alternatives to wood. A 1993 survey done by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) found that about 1% of new homes were framed entirely with steel, and that 5% used steel in non-load-bearing applications. These figures represent a dramatic increase from January of 1992, when a survey by the American Iron and Steel Institute found steel use to be ¹⁄₄ % and ¹⁄₂ % of new home construction, respectively. AISI has established a goal of capturing 25% of the market by 1998.

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