Depends on the design of course.

We were told no. Wood laminated beams were cheaper.

IMO the big advantage to steel beams is the actual size for the span. But as mentioned you need to provide a lot more info and you need to get quotes in your area. IMO ask a structural engineer that is what I would do.

Architect is still working up the plans. Don't want to have to pay for the architect to draw twice, ha ha (once with wood, once with metal).

Let's just say for example, it's this house, with lots of metal beams inside: https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/476-Pilgrim-Dr-Edwards-CO-81632/13515205_zpid/

On average, assuming one could do the same construct with wood, would wood be cheaper than metal?

Steel prices have risen dramatically recently (been told by supplier 2-300%) so there is that............................

Every project is different, but in general, one can say:

A steel structural frame is much more expensive than wood. It has to be fabricated off site and usually requires use of lifts or cranes to erect. Material costs are more expensive per unit and not as readily available as wood is at the local lumberyard or big box store. Wood framing can be cut on site, installed by carpenters, and the margin of error can be much greater.

The use of engineered lumber (beams, I-joists, and trusses) beginning decades ago revolutionized the industry. Only with certain structures, like metal 'pole' barns, can steel begin to compare to wood.

Wood. Steel is a premium used to keep the size smaller.

As has been stated a steel beam is much stronger and more expensive than a wood LVL (Laminated Veneer Lumber) beam for a given span and loading.

Its not usually a matter of choosing in the beginning to design the major beams of a light wood framed house with wood or steel.

In almost all states an engineer is required to design LVL and steel beams. An architect would normally design the spaces and the engineer would meet with the architect to determine the most economical method of framing the spaces. Multiple LVLs would be the first choice for a major beam but if the span is too long and/or the size of the LVL beam gets too wide or tall, the engineer and architect might agree to use a steel beam even though it will cost more to fabricate and install.

I can think no reason the major beams would change from LVL to steel and need to be redrawn but make sure the architect and engineer are collaborating with each other and with you.

I have only seen a steel beam used when there was no alternative.

This is one reason that large homes with large spans are more expensive per square foot to build vs smaller. The cost of spans counteracts the economy of scale.

A friend saw a 30' wide door last week on a home. Asked the owner what the door cost. "$30K for the door" which is what I would expect. I asked him to follow up about the cost of the beam and footings. "$40K more" and likely other hidden costs the owner wasn't aware of.

Typical 8080 slider in a tract home? $1-2K plus a $200 beam.

@res2architect Makes sense, thanks for response. This is great info. We'll let the structural engineer & architect figure it out. Guess the only role a homeowner would play in this is if there's a choice of visible design elements?

Got the answer, though. Use wood and not metal if on a budget!

Right. Our architect drew 2 steel beams as an element of the design. They were eliminated in the cost engineering phase to fit the budget.

I guess theres a lot that goes into finishing those beams like in that CO house.

Now pricing framing for a 5,700 sf international modern home. First question from the framer: any steel above the first floor? That will automatically put it in the C$12 sf vs C$9 sf range.

You can't just switch from steel to wood in an attempt to save money. You have to think comprehensively. The labor, materials, site conditions, contractor availability, and skill level all make for interesting tradeoffs in costs.

@worthy Can you please explain these values? C$12 sf ? I can see it some cost per square foot. Thanks

@Joseph Corlett, LLC Thanks - it will be an interplay between aesthetics and strength. Certainly the architect and structural engineer will make all the decisions except we will have input from "appearances" point of view.

@JJ Painting metal beam, interior only was pretty basic. Just sanding, prime and spray paint. Exterior metal would likely have to be powder coated.

Chiming in from Canuckistan!

C$=Canadian dollar.

(Current mid-market rate US$0.784849 Feb 8, 2021, 20:34 UTC)

"Thanks - it will be an interplay between aesthetics and strength. Certainly the architect and structural engineer will make all the decisions except we will have input from "appearances" point of view."

You need to get your general contractor involved. A design that's perfectly structurally sound when built on flat ground with crane access may not be cost effective when built on a steep slope with limited access. Houzz is replete with fancy drawings that couldn't be built within budget.

Architect and engineer for "what", GC for "how" please.

Our architect used a combination of LVL beams and poured concrete columns and beams for our one story CMU modern home. This is a full custom build and it definitely increases our build price per square foot compared to a typical semi-custom in our area that have relatively few LVL beams and zero poured concrete columns and beams.

@Sam Biller Pls post some pictures if you're able? Curious to see what a CMU looks like.

Here is a photo of our 24 ft sliding glass door opening. It shows the poured concrete beam and columns and the LVL beams across the top.

Here’s another image of the same area after the trusses and flat roof have been installed...

Wow, wide support beam, looks good. Is it going to be separate patio doors or windows wall type doors in the 24 feet opening?

@Jeff Smith The example home you linked to is more than just large spans, it has large rooms with window walls on multiple sides with minimal walls to create traditional shear walls. Likely its built with moment frames of large concrete foundation sections with steel columns imbedded into them to provide lateral strength. All that before spans are dealt with.

24 ft PGT hurricane slider — quantity 6 panels (4 ft each panel).

@Sam Biller Super nice, that will be great. My goal for new house is to have at least a few feet of such big sliders on 1st floor. This will be the view from open sliders. Looking forward to opening the wall and gazing at forest and mountains...will be warmer than in this pic then of course but still no palm trees like your spot! New house wont' be able to be contemporary like yours due to neighborhood design standards.