Steel or Wood on Roof?

[devs]

Hi all, I've bought a house with an incomplete garage that will have a self contained flat above.

The original owners plans were to use steels to support the roof. However I'm being advised that it would be cheaper to use wood.

Can someone please explain what the advantages / disadvantages are?

Many thanks,

Devs.

 

[^woody^]

Can't you ask whoever advised you to use wood, "why?".

One advantage is that steel is stronger than wood.

 

[devs]

Yes I have done and they said cost. However I just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing anything important.

Thanks.

 

[^woody^]

Timber beams will need to be deeper and thicker or more of them, than using steel.

But it's not a straight forward cost comparison as other factors affect the cost not just of material, but of installing and ancillary work and fittings.

If whoever told you that timber was cheaper, is actually doing the work, and can source and have designed alternative beams that comply with any required standards, then let him do that and pass the cost saving on to you.