TOP 5 savings of metal compared to wood and concrete

TOP 5 savings with metal structures

In practice, the advantages of metal structures mainly translate into concrete savings throughout the entire lifespan of a structure[KM1] . Not only during the construction phase, but also in terms of maintenance, safety and sustainability!

Below are the five important savings that structures with metal gratings or stair treads offer compared to wooden and concrete structures.

1. Material - Less weight and raw materials
2. Installation - Faster assembly, lower labour costs
3. Maintenance - Hardly any maintenance required over timber
4. Safety - Less risk and downtime
5. Sustainability - Circular and future-proof

1. Material savings: less weight, less steel, lower costs

Metal gratings and stair treads consist of a (partially) open structure. This means that material is only used where it is structurally or aesthetically necessary.

Result:

• Up to 70% less material weight than concrete floors
• Lower foundation load
• Less supporting steel construction required
• Lower transport costs

With concrete, mass must create strength; with metal gratings and stair treads, smart geometry provides the same load-bearing capacity with significantly less material. This makes gratings and stair treads suitable for renovation projects and raised platforms.

👉 Fewer raw materials = lower CO₂ impact and lower costs.

2. Installation savings: faster construction = lower labour costs

Metal gratings are prefabricated and can be delivered in modular form. Unlike concrete, there is no drying time and no formwork or heavy pouring processes.

Savings:

• Faster assembly (up to 50% time savings)
• No curing time and immediately load-bearing
• Fewer man-hours on site
• Less heavy equipment required
• Shorter project lead time

Where poured concrete takes days or weeks, a metal grating construction can often be operational within a single working day. A shorter construction time means immediate cost savings.

3. Maintenance savings: minimal life cycle costs

Wood rots, splinters and requires periodic treatment. Concrete can crack, weather and retain water. Metal gratings and stair treads — especially hot-dip galvanised steel — are designed for long-term outdoor use and are therefore extremely durable.

Maintenance advantages:

• No painting or impregnation work
• Natural water drainage thanks to the open structure
• Less dirt accumulation and self-cleaning due to the open structure 
• Long service life (up to 40 years)

This not only reduces maintenance costs but also prevents operational downtime.

4. Safety savings: less risk = lower indirect costs

Safety has a direct financial impact. Accidents lead to loss of production, liability and additional measures. Safety is therefore an important hidden cost factor.

Metal gratings and stair treads can offer:

• Anti-slip properties, even in wet conditions
• Direct drainage of water, snow and dirt
• Enhanced anti-slip properties  compared to wood or concrete
• Open sight lines for inspection

Savings: fewer incidents, fewer maintenance interventions, lower operational risks and lower risk insurance costs.

5. Sustainability savings: circular and fully recyclable

Where wood wears out and concrete is difficult to reuse, steel remains part of a circular chain. This makes steel one of the most circular building materials.

Sustainability benefits:

• 100% recyclable without loss of quality
• Long technical lifespan
• Dismantlable and reusable
• Lower total CO₂ footprint over lifecycle 
• Less material consumption

These factors are increasingly playing a role in tenders and sustainability labels.)

Metal in the form of metal gratings/treads vs. wood and concrete (comparison)

In 

 [KM3]Wood is a natural element; are we sure for this?

Why architects (and engineers) are increasingly opting for steel gratings

Within sectors such as residential construction, (internal) infrastructure, non-residential construction, civil engineering and logistics, there is growing demand for:

• sustainable support gratings
• functional walkways
• galvanised press-locked gratings
• safety gratings for stairs and landings

The reason is simple: the lowest lifecycle costs combined with maximum sustainability!

Conclusion: lower costs start with smart design

Although wood and concrete are still often seen as the traditional choice, lifecycle analyses show that metal applications are almost always more cost-effective when considering:

• total project costs
• maintenance over time
• safety
• sustainability performance

For architects, engineers and asset owners, this means one clear conclusion: the most economical solution is often also the most sustainable.

Metal combines structural efficiency with circular material use, making it a logical choice for future-oriented construction projects