Wood vs Steel Trusses – What’s Better for Your Backyard?

Are you planning on upgrading your backyard? Is a shed, a pergola, or another type of structure on your mind? Perhaps you’re just looking to create a nice patio cover.

Whatever is on your mind, one thing’s for sure – it’s exciting.

It’s amazing how just one structure can completely change what your backyard looks like. It’s like, one day, it’s a normal backyard, not much to see there… and then ‘BOOM!’, it’s suddenly all cozy and personal. 

So, have you given any thought as to which materials you’ll use? 

Before you set your mind on something, you should know that looks aren’t the only (or even the most important) thing you need to think about. What you choose will decide how long your structure will last and how much time you’ll spend maintaining it. 

In this article, we’ll go over two choices when it comes to trusses – wood and/or steel. Both material choices are very different for a lot of reasons. 

So, let’s see what will work better for you. 

What to Think About When Deciding Between Steel Trusses and Wood

If you’re looking for an answer as to which one of these options is better, I can’t tell you that. Why? Because neither is better in general. 

There’s only what’s better for you, so that’s what we’re trying to figure out here. 

How Long Will It Last?

First up, we have durability. Steel is unmatched as far as durability goes because it’s incredibly strong.

It doesn’t rot, warp, or crack, and termites want absolutely nothing to do with it, so steel trusses win in the durability category. A steel structure that’s made well can last you for decades or longer. 

Heck, even your grandchildren might be able to use it someday, that’s how impressive its longevity is.

How Much Maintenance Does It Need?

How much do you want to baby your new structure over the next few years or decades? 

If you want to forget it even exists, then steel trusses are the obvious choice. Once you install and paint it, that’s it. Maybe you’ll need to rinse it down with a hose here and there, but other than that, you can forget about it. 

Wood needs maintenance if you want to keep it looking and functioning well.

With wood comes maintenance, especially if you live in a place where termites or high humidity are an issue. Regardless of that, you’ll have to re-seal the wood every couple of years (depending on how much sun you get annually) with lacquer or another protective layer, so that it doesn’t rot. Plus, you’ll have to keep an eye out for damage (splinters, soft spots, cracks, etc.).

The Price?

Regardless of what anyone tells you, numbers play a huge role in our decision-making. So, let’s talk numbers for a bit.

Lumber is definitely cheaper, but the price you pay initially isn’t the whole story. You have to think about what this’ll cost you in the long run. 

Wood means ongoing expenses because of repairs and maintenance, so the ‘lower’ price you pay right away isn’t that low when you factor all the real costs in. Plus, what’s the longevity of the structure? Are there any natural ‘enemies’ of wood that are common to the area you live in?

Compared to wood, steel DOES have a higher initial cost. With that being said, you also have to account for the fact that you’ll be spending very little (if any) money/time on maintenance later.

What Looks Better?

This is the fun part, and I can’t answer this for you. It comes down to personal taste. Wood is usually the better-looking of the two. This has to do with the fact that there are A LOT of wood types, all of which can have different textures, colors, etc., plus the lacquer you use to seal the wood can also come in quite a few tones, which gives you so much variety compared to steel. 

Sure, you can paint steel, or even powder coat it, but that’s about it – you can do the same with wood, as well. Steel still has a bit going for it. It has that sleek, clean modern look to it, with its sharp lines and contemporary vibe. This can complement lots of design choices.

If you want a minimalist patio or an urban backyard, steel is the way to go. 

How to Pick The Right Material

So with all this in mind, how do you pick? 

I’d suggest you get clear on 3 things before you do anything: the size of whatever it is you’re building, the amount of money you can spend on it (and not just for now), and the look you want. 

If it’s something big and bold you want, like a grand pergola, steel has the obvious advantage because of how strong and stable it is. It can handle the bug spans with much less bulk, and you don’t have to worry about it sagging or needing big repairs. 

Once you add low maintenance to it, it’s obvious why quality steel, like the one from Buffalo River Trusses, or another business that specializes in steel (and other metal) trusses, is the right answer.

If you want a cute little garden shed or a quaint arbor over a gate, wood will work. Since the structure itself won’t be so big, maintenance won’t be such a pain, and you can’t forget about the cottage-core look wood has. I don’t think anything can create warmth the way wood can. 

Bottom line – be honest with yourself and think of the long-term results. 

Wrapping Up…

Neither is better. It comes down to picking what’s more you. 

Are you the kind of person who likes to fidget around with a brush and work on the weekends? Or do you want to use your free time for something else and forget about that pergola/shed/arbor or whatever you’ve built? 

That’s how you get the best answer.