Steel Beams vs. Wood Beams (LVL/Glulam)

Quick Comparison

Criterion	Steel Beams (Flitch Plates & W-Shapes)	LVL (Laminated Veneer Lumber)
Load Capacity	Highest — W-shapes handle 20,000+ lb point loads easily	High — multi-ply LVL/glulam handles most residential loads
Maximum Span	30–40+ ft common for W-shapes	24–32 ft typical for LVL; up to 60 ft for glulam
Beam Depth	Shallower — W8 or W10 often suffices	Deeper — 9.25"–18" typical for equivalent loads
Cost	$8–$25/LF plus bearing plates and fireproofing	$3–$15/LF; uses standard wood connections
Installation	Heavy — requires crane or multiple workers; welding/bolting	Standard framing crew; nails, bolts, and hangers
Fire Rating	0 hours unprotected; requires intumescent coating or encasement	Heavy timber (5.5"+) gets 1-hour rating; LVL requires encasement
Corrosion	Requires coating or galvanizing in damp/exterior locations	Not applicable — treated or interior-only species available
Availability	1–3 week lead time from steel supplier	In stock at most lumberyards (standard sizes)
Engineering Required	Always — PE-stamped calcs required	Often — manufacturer span tables cover simple cases
Thermal Bridge	Yes — steel conducts 400× more heat than wood	Minimal — wood is a natural insulator

Our Recommendation

Choose steel when you need maximum load capacity in minimum depth — especially for load-bearing wall removals, wide garage headers, and multi-story point loads. Choose engineered wood (LVL or glulam) for most residential beams where standard framing connections and crew familiarity keep costs down. Flitch plates offer a practical middle ground for moderate upgrades.

Detailed Analysis

The steel-vs-wood decision in residential framing typically comes down to load requirements, available depth, and project complexity.

For spans under 20 feet with typical floor or roof loads, multi-ply LVL (3-ply or 4-ply 1¾" × 11⅞") handles the vast majority of residential situations. LVL uses standard framing connections — hangers, bearing plates, and through-bolts — that any framing crew can install without specialty trades.

Steel becomes necessary when the required beam depth exceeds available headroom, when point loads from multi-story construction concentrate at a single beam, or when spans exceed what engineered lumber can practically achieve. A W10×22 steel beam can carry loads that would require a 16"+ deep LVL assembly.

Glulam beams offer an aesthetic advantage — they can be left exposed as an architectural feature. Stained or finished glulam in Douglas Fir or Alaskan Yellow Cedar is common in timber-frame and post-and-beam designs where steel would be hidden behind drywall.