Steel vs. Wood: What the Numbers Actually Show

What does light gauge steel framing actually cost compared to wood? In this episode of Built Different, we put real numbers on the steel vs. wood debate—covering material costs, labor productivity, waste reduction, insurance implications, and total installed cost per square foot. Topics covered: • Material cost premium: Steel studs cost 15-30% more than wood studs • Per-module impact: $800-$2,000 additional material cost • Labor learning curve: 10-20% productivity hit during transition, parity after 90 days • Waste reduction: 3-5% material savings from roll-formed steel precision • Insurance and warranty benefits for non-combustible framing • Total installed cost: $3-6 per square foot premium (2-3% on typical mid-rise module) • Where wood still wins: Single-family, low-rise, cost-driven affordable housing • Where steel wins: Mid-rise, coastal, institutional, long-hold assets This episode gives developers and modular factory operators the hard numbers needed to make informed material decisions based on project type and market conditions. Built Different is a daily podcast about modular, volumetric, and off-site construction. Brought to you by Spring Street Management Group.