Building on Cement Vs. Wood

Longevity

• If you compare the two against each other in terms of longevity, concrete with cement is always the winner. Although wood will eventually rot, decompose or petrify, cement will continue to live on over multiple generations. Once concrete has set up, it will last indefinitely, regardless if it is used on land or in the water. As a result, it is one of the longest lasting and thus one of the most globally used building materials known to man.

Flexibility

• Although concrete with cement might be able to last through the years, it lacks the flexibility of wood. This flexibility is what has made wood one of the preferred building materials for anything above the foundation level. While cement sets up and provides an excellent base material, wood has too much movement to work as a base material and is instead perfect for walls and roofs.

Affordability

• Wood will always take priority over cement when it comes to affordability. This is because wood is widely available and fairly inexpensive to cut down to size and install. Concrete, on the other hand, requires sand, cement, aggregate, water and often lime. With more ingredients comes a higher price tag. This is especially true for plywood and framing material when compared with concrete.

Support

• Although wood can support a house, it cannot support the weight of an entire building. Cement, on the other hand, is one of the primary building components in skyscrapers and commercial buildings around the world. As far as structural support goes, cement is certainly the strongest, and while it isn’t necessary in residential homes as a supportive feature, in commercial settings it is usually a given that cement is involved.