When you weigh up a steel vs concrete building, you are choosing between a steel structure and precast concrete elements. A steel building has lighter elements and bolted connections, and is easier to extend later; a concrete building has a more massive structure made of heavier elements. We build steel buildings, so in this article we explain how the two differ and which questions to ask yourself before you choose.
In short
- Steel building: lighter elements, bolted connections, a hot-dip galvanised EXC 2 structure.
- A steel structure is easier to extend or convert later.
- We do not make precast concrete buildings, so we do not compare prices here.
- Decide based on the use, the site and whether the building will need to grow later.
How is a prefabricated steel building built?
A prefabricated steel building has a load-bearing structure of steel sections that we fabricate in our factory and assemble on site. All the steel elements are protected against corrosion by hot-dip galvanising, and the structure is made in execution class EXC 2 to SIST EN 1090-1 and 1090-2.
We make the roof and walls from trapezoidal sheeting or insulated sandwich panels. For examples, see the prefabricated steel buildings page.
Steel vs concrete building compared
The table summarises the general differences between steel and concrete buildings. For a specific building, the use, the site and the client's requirements decide.
| Feature | Prefabricated steel building | Precast concrete building |
|---|---|---|
| Load-bearing elements | Steel sections, lighter | Precast concrete elements, massive and heavy |
| Connections | Bolted or welded | Elements connected on site |
| Protection | Hot-dip galvanising | Concrete |
| Later extension | Easier, by adding structural bays | More complex |
| Envelope | Trapezoidal sheeting or insulated sandwich panels | Panels or concrete wall slabs |
Prefabricated steel buildings
More on thisWhat should you ask yourself before you choose?
- What will you do in the building: store goods, manufacture or carry out servicing?
- Will the building be heated, and do you need offices or a mezzanine?
- Will the building need to be extended in a few years?
- Do you need a crane runway?
- What are the loads at the site, such as the snow load?
With your answers to these questions, we can advise you on which version of a steel building suits you and prepare a quote.
How do I get a quote for a steel building?
Every building is designed to measure, so we calculate the price for your project. Read about what affects it in our article steel building cost, and enter your details in the inquiry form.
Author
Konstrukcije Gajšek team
The designers, production staff and installation crews of Rastlinjaki Gajšek d.o.o.
