The idea of a new building comes loaded with a lot of decision making. One of the first and most important decisions is the type of construction material that will be used. Wood vs concrete construction has always aroused an intense debate and it can be a difficult decision. If you need to decide on one or the other, we’ve put together this article to help weigh the pros and cons of each.
Wood Construction Pros And Cons
The three main pros for wood construction are the speed of the job, the cost and the ease of future renovations. Wood construction cons include susceptibility to moisture and termites.
Speed
Compared with concrete, wood constructions can be built almost twice as fast. In fact, many wooden components can be manufactured in the factory and quickly assembled on site.
Cost
Saving time also saves money. The faster construction processes involved with wooden buildings significantly reduces labor and other associated costs. Wood construction projects generally don’t need the same amount of heavy duty equipment as found on a concrete construction site which is another way that costs are cut.
Remodeling
Although it’s not impossible to remodel a concrete construction, tasks such as moving windows or tearing down walls are much easier when dealing with wood.
Moisture
Although most wooden buildings are sealed to protect them from moisture, if that seal is compromised it can lead to wood rot and other problems.
Termites
For regions affected by termites, wooden structures can be vulnerable. High humidity and moisture can encourage termite infestations which can lead to considerable damage.
Concrete Construction Pros And Cons
The three main advantages associated with concrete construction in Roatan are durability, moisture resistance and reduced heating and cooling costs. Disadvantages of concrete include cost and speed of construction.
Durability
Concrete is an incredibly durable building material. Once cast it’s extremely resilient which makes it ideal for areas that experience heavy storms.
Moisture Resistance
Concrete is much more resistant to moisture than wood. Rot isn’t an issue and the chances of moisture related problems such as mold and termite infestation are very low.
Heating And Cooling
Concrete buildings require much less energy to heat or cool compared to those made of wood.
Cost
Because of the machinery and time involved, concrete constructions are generally more expensive to build than comparable wooden structures .
Speed
Concrete buildings typically take longer to construct while also requiring a curing period of up to a month before they’re ready for use. The longer construction times will increase labor and other associated costs.
