Table 3. Comparison of walls in timber, reinforced concrete, and steel structures

Structure type Timber structure Reinforced concrete structure Steel structure
Exterior wall materials Timber siding, plywood oriented strand board (OSB), cross-laminated timber (CLT), moisture barrier Reinforced concrete, cement board, stone veneer Steel panels, aluminum cladding, glass curtain walls
Interior wall materials Timber panels, gypsum board, plywood Reinforced concrete walls, gypsum board Metal studs+gypsum board, glass partitions
Weight Lightweight Heavy, requires strong support Medium to lightweight with metal panels
Thermal performance Excellent natural insulation Poor, requires additional insulation Moderate, often requires extra insulation
Moisture & waterproofing Susceptible to moisture and pests, requires waterproofing Resistant to moisture but prone to cracking Requires anti-corrosion treatment
Fire resistance Requires fire-retardant treatment Excellent fire resistance Needs fireproof coatings or sprays
Construction speed Fast with prefabricated panels Slow due to concrete curing time Fast with prefabricated components
Environmental impact Eco-friendly, renewable material High carbon emissions during concrete production Moderate carbon footprint, recyclable material
Maintenance Requires regular maintenance (moisture, pests) Low maintenance, highly durable Requires corrosion protection and fireproofing