Prefab Steel Garages vs. Traditional Garages: Pros and Cons

There are countless reasons why you might want to add a metal garage to your home. Some of the primary reasons that people build garages are so that they can protect their vehicles from the elements and secure them from possible theft.

However, a new garage can also provide you with extra storage space. If your home didn’t come with a garage, then prefab steel garages are one of several options for adding one to your property. For example, you can debate whether to use traditional materials to build a garage on your property or purchase prefab steel garages.

With that in mind, the following guide compares both pros and cons to make a more informed decision about which type of garage is best for you.

This type of garage is typically made from wood, brick, or cement. The following are a few of the advantages of buying a garage kit:

Classic Look: Some people prefer the appearance of stone or wood, which would lead them to wanting to build with traditional materials.

Strength: Though not as strong as steel and often requiring regular maintenance and upkeep, the structure of a traditional garage is fairly strong.

Although there are some benefits to choosing to build with traditional materials, there are also some drawbacks to take into account before making a decision. The following are a few of the cons:

Prone to Mold, Pests, and Fire: Traditional materials offer very little protection from these common damaging elements. If one of these impacts your building, it can cause severe damage that requires extensive repair.

Often Requires a Contractor: Unless you are a skilled DIYer, you will likely need to hire a contractor to construct your garage. This increases the cost and may also come with a lengthy build process.

Time: Building a garage from a kit will require a significant amount of time and energy, especially if you’re doing it without any help. If you’re not prepared to put in the effort, this may not be your best option.

Constant Maintenance: Traditional materials have a hard time standing up to the weather. The heat and cold can make the structure expand and contract, resulting in cracks or damage.

Durability: One final thing to consider is the fact that traditional materials are not as durable as a prefab steel garage. If you’re concerned about the long-term durability of your garage, then this is something to keep in mind before making a decision.

Prefab steel garages offer a variety of benefits that you can’t get with traditional materials. The following are some of the unique pros:

Highly Customizable: Prefab steel garages offer a high degree of customization. This means that you can choose the size, shape, and style of your garage to match your specific needs and the look of your home. You may even be able to implement additional features, such as extra windows, doors, insulation, ventilation, and more.

Durable and High Quality: Another advantage of prefab steel garages is that they’re built to last. This is because steel is stronger and more resistant to damaging elements than traditional materials.

Each steel building produced by Future Buildings is made from GalvalumeTM Plus Steel and come with a 50-year rust perforation warranty. All our steel is purchased directly from ArcelorMittal Dofasco to ensure consistency of quality grade steel and optimal pricing. Learn more about GalvalumeTM Plus Steel from their website here.

Aesthetically Pleasing: Prefab steel garages can be customized to match the look of your home through the use of paint or custom-built end walls. Using siding, stone, or wood, you can create an end wall that perfectly suits the other structures on your property.

Additionally, the steel garages come in various styles that you can choose from, allowing you to customize the shape. Choose from a variety of innovative styles for prefab steel garages:

Lower Cost: A prefabricated garage has all of its pieces created off-site. This includes drilling holes, welding, and cutting to size which helps reduce labor cost. Also, they require less maintenance throughout their lifetime which saves on repairs.

Quick Assembly: Since each piece is ready to assemble on arrival, the time it takes to erect the structure is reduced. Smaller, simple buildings can even be put up over the course of a weekend.

Sustainability: Steel is eco-friendly and can be recycled many times without losing its strength. This means you can rest assured that your structure will serve another purpose when you have finished with it.

There is also less waste involved in steel construction than with brick or wood, as you will not have to worry about things like chipped bricks or deformed wooden planks.

Steel has many advantages, but there is one thing to keep in mind before you build:

Interior Temperature: If you live in an area that is prone to cold weather, you may find that the interior of your steel garage gets colder during the winter. This can be a concern if you have temperature-sensitive items in your garage, such as a vehicle or belongings.

This can be easily solved through the addition of insulation. You can order insulation from Future Buildings that is perfectly sized to your garage and easy to install, helping to keep the interior temperature comfortable.

If you’re thinking about adding a steel garage to your property, then be sure to contact Future Buildings today. We offer a wide range of prefabricated metal buildings, including garages, that can be customized to meet your specific needs.

Call us at 1-800-668-5111 to speak with one of our specialists or request a quote by filling out our online form.

If a straight wall style is your preference, you can also visit our sister company, Toro Steel Buildings.