When planning a 3–7 story project, the material you choose early on will affect your timeline, cost, and long-term performance.

Two common options: cold-formed steel (CFS) and engineered wood framing.

Here’s a breakdown of how they compare.

Durability & Strength
• Cold-Formed Steel: Won’t warp, rot, or attract pests. Strong in wind, fire, and seismic conditions.
• Wood: Susceptible to moisture, termites, and shrinkage. May require more maintenance or replacement over time.

Fire Resistance
• CFS: Naturally non-combustible. Helps meet fire codes in multi-family, hotels, and senior living.
• Wood: Requires additional fire-retardant treatments that add cost and complexity.

Speed of Construction
• CFS: Prefabricated wall panels, trusses, and floors arrive ready for install. Faster build time, less waste.
• Wood: Slower on-site framing, more variation, and increased labor.

Cost & Availability
• Wood: Lower material cost upfront—but higher labor and more site variability.
• CFS: Slightly higher material cost—but often results in a lower total cost of ownership.

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The Verdict:
If you’re building mid-rise and care about schedule, strength, and consistency—cold-formed steel is worth serious consideration.

Dive deeper: Why Builders Choose VBG
Have questions? Check out our Cold-Formed Steel FAQ