Why Declining Wood Quality Makes Steel the Clear Choice for Ontario Construction

For decades, wood was the go-to material for building in Ontario. It was affordable, easy to work with, and locally sourced.
But over the past fifteen years, a noticeable shift has occurred. Builders, engineers, and even homeowners are turning to steel because modern wood is simply not what it used to be.

Declining forest quality, environmental restrictions, and supply shortages have reduced the durability and consistency of lumber available in Canada. At the same time, steel buildings have evolved with better design precision, energy efficiency, and sustainability.

Here’s why Ontario’s construction industry increasingly views steel as the superior long-term choice.

The Decline of Traditional Wood Quality in Canada

Ontario’s older homes and barns built in the 1960s and 1970s often feature dense, old-growth lumber. This wood had tighter grain patterns and higher natural strength.
Today, most structural lumber comes from fast-growing softwood trees harvested in 20 to 30 years – far younger than the century-old timber used in the past.

Key reasons for quality decline

• Younger trees mean lower density. Fast-growth species like spruce and pine have wider growth rings and lower structural strength.
• More knots and warping. Younger lumber contains irregularities that make framing less stable.
• Reduced resistance to decay. Less resin and natural oils mean modern wood is more prone to rot and insect damage.
• Inconsistent supply. Forestry restrictions and global demand have reduced availability of high-grade wood in Canada.

The result is that today’s wood requires more chemical treatment and maintenance, which adds long-term costs and environmental impact.

Cost and Supply Volatility of Wood

Ontario builders have faced lumber price spikes several times in recent years.
Events such as wildfires in British Columbia, global shipping disruptions, and high housing demand have made wood prices unpredictable.

Between 2020 and 2023, softwood lumber prices in Canada fluctuated by more than 250 percent according to Statistics Canada data.
For commercial projects, this kind of volatility can turn a profitable build into a financial risk.

Steel, on the other hand, offers stable pricing and consistent quality. Because it is produced to controlled standards, each component arrives with known specifications and minimal waste.
Tower Steel Buildings sources its steel from reliable Canadian and North American suppliers, ensuring steady availability even when lumber markets tighten.

Structural Performance – Steel vs Wood

When comparing the strength of steel vs wood in Ontario, steel consistently delivers higher load capacity, longer spans, and greater design flexibility.

Steel’s uniformity and engineered precision eliminate common issues like twisting, splitting, or settling that can occur in wood-frame buildings.

In Ontario’s freeze-thaw cycles, wood tends to absorb moisture and contract repeatedly, which weakens structural fasteners.
Steel maintains dimensional stability regardless of temperature, ensuring longevity and reduced maintenance.

Environmental and Sustainability Considerations

It’s easy to assume wood is the greener material because it’s natural.
However, the environmental picture is more complex.

A. Deforestation and supply pressure

Ontario’s sustainable forestry programs are strong, but global wood demand still drives intensive harvesting. The younger regrowth forests replacing old-growth stands take decades to recover their carbon-storage capacity.

B. Energy efficiency

Modern energy-efficient steel buildings incorporate insulated panels and reflective coatings that reduce heating and cooling costs.
Over a building’s lifetime, energy savings often offset the higher embodied energy of steel production.

C. Recyclability

Steel is 100 percent recyclable without losing strength. Most structural steel used in Ontario contains 60 to 80 percent recycled content.
In contrast, treated or painted wood cannot be recycled and often ends up in landfills.

Tower Steel Buildings designs each structure with material efficiency in mind – reducing waste, sourcing locally, and optimizing insulation to meet Ontario’s energy codes.

Durability and Maintenance Comparison

One of the biggest hidden costs in wood construction is maintenance.
Wood framing requires regular sealing, painting, or replacement when exposed to moisture, pests, or fire risks.

Steel structures minimize these issues:

• No rot or mold. Proper coatings and vapor barriers prevent corrosion.
• No pests. Termites and carpenter ants cannot damage steel framing.
• Low insurance risk. Fire-resistant materials reduce premiums for many commercial owners.
• Minimal repainting or replacement. Powder-coated and galvanized finishes can last decades without surface degradation.

In humid or coastal parts of Ontario, such as Niagara and Kingston, steel’s durability becomes especially valuable. The reduced maintenance demands translate directly to lower lifecycle costs.

Design Flexibility and Modern Construction Methods

Unlike traditional wood framing, which is limited by stud spacing and structural spans, steel construction allows larger, open spaces and custom layouts.
Engineers can design buildings up to 300 feet wide without internal columns – ideal for warehouses, arenas, or workshops.

Steel also integrates seamlessly with pre-engineered building (PEB) systems.
These allow for faster assembly, pre-cut components, and precision alignment – saving both time and labour costs.

Tower Steel Buildings leverages in-house engineering and design to create Ontario projects that are both functional and visually appealing.
From commercial units in the GTA to agricultural storage in rural regions, the company’s prefabricated systems combine efficiency with professional aesthetics.

Performance Under Ontario’s Weather Conditions

Ontario’s weather presents a unique challenge: cold, wet winters and warm, humid summers.
Wood expands, contracts, and absorbs moisture, which weakens joints over time. Steel maintains consistent strength and does not degrade when properly coated.

Performance highlights:

• Snow loads: Steel structures can handle higher roof loads as required by Ontario Building Code zones.
• Wind resistance: Engineered bracing systems keep structures stable even in open rural areas.
• Fire protection: Steel is non-combustible, an important advantage for workshops, storage buildings, and garages.

A well-insulated steel building also achieves impressive energy retention. With vapor barriers and insulated panels, interior temperatures remain comfortable regardless of external fluctuations.

The Long-Term Value of Steel Construction

While steel buildings may have slightly higher initial material costs, the total cost of ownership tells a different story.
Lower maintenance, longer lifespan, and higher resale value make steel more economical over decades.

Five-year cost comparison example (2,000 sq.ft. workshop):

Over a typical building’s lifespan, steel saves significantly more than its small upfront difference.

For business owners, this predictability is crucial. With rising interest rates and materials inflation, investing in a low-maintenance, high-efficiency structure simply makes better sense.

Canadian Building Standards and Engineering Compliance

All structural steel buildings in Ontario must comply with:

• Ontario Building Code (OBC) – Part 4 Structural Design
• CSA S16 – Design of Steel Structures
• CSA G40.21 – Material Strength and Testing

Tower Steel Buildings’ engineering team produces permit-ready, engineer-stamped drawings for every project, ensuring compliance with local snow, wind, and seismic requirements.
This level of precision far exceeds what’s typically available with wood framing, which often depends on field adjustments and manual measurements.

A Changing Market and the Future of Ontario Construction

Ontario’s construction sector is adapting to new realities: labour shortages, sustainability goals, and stricter energy codes.
Steel’s adaptability fits perfectly with this future.

As wood quality continues to decline due to shorter growth cycles and environmental limits, steel offers a dependable, engineered solution that aligns with modern construction needs.
Prefabricated design, automation, and digital modeling make it faster to build, easier to maintain, and better for long-term energy performance.

Reviewed by the Tower Steel Buildings Engineering Team

This article was reviewed by the Tower Steel Buildings Engineering Team, whose expertise in structural steel design ensures that all comparisons reflect real performance in Ontario’s climate and construction standards.