A new building is a major capital investment. You want a structure that will serve you well for as long as possible. How do the materials factor into that decision?
When we talk about traditional buildings, we’re referring to the materials and styles most commonly used in the past. For commercial purposes, that might be metal buildings, wood buildings, or even brick-and-mortar or concrete buildings. But you can also consider PVC-clad structures, a different type of permanent commercial structure.
Related article: Speed and Quality: The Role of Hybrid Building Materials
Each type of building material offers certain advantages and drawbacks. Every structure is unique in some ways, so it’s important to consider every detail. Let’s see how various building materials compare based on key decision-making factors.
| PVC Cladding | Wood | Metal | Brick/Concrete | |
| Clear Span Design |
Yes, it can be designed to any length, width, or height — up to 300+ feet |
No |
Yes, though the cost rises sharply past ~150 feet |
No |
| Portability |
Yes, though permanent, buildings can also be relocated |
No |
No |
No |
| Foundation Options |
Yes |
No |
Require a concrete foundation, with or without a concrete slab |
No |
| Naturally Bright Interior |
White uninsulated PVC cladding is 12% translucent, allowing enough natural light for daytime work The white interior is light and bright, requiring less artificial lighting |
No |
No |
No |
| Enhanced Acoustics |
Does not reverberate Absorbs internal sounds for a naturally quieter interior |
Can transmit some external sound \Helps dampen interior sounds |
Reverberates, amplifying external or internal sounds |
Does not transmit external sound Hard surfaces can amplify interior sound |
| Low Maintenance |
Yes Virtually maintenance- free required Rinses clean Flexibility resists damage from bumps and scrapes Easy, quick onsite damage repair |
No Require ongoing upkeep Expensive damage repair
|
No Resistant to mold and insect damage Can be dented or punctured Vulnerable to rust and chemical corrosion Screw holes and seams allow air and moisture leakage Maintenance and repairs are expensive |
Yes Impervious to rust and chemical corrosion Vulnerable to mold and mildew Prone to cracking Easily damaged from accidental equipment bumps |
| Quick Installation |
Fabric buildings can be designed and installed about 1/3 faster than wood or metal buildings |
No |
Pre-engineered steel is faster to construct than concrete or wood but slower than fabric buildings |
No |
| 100% Custom Design |
Yes Any size, shape or options Easily expandable |
No Limited by architectural constraints and/or construction methods Potentially expandable |
No Can be expanded longitudinally |
No Requires some other building material for roofing |
| Naturally Energy Efficient |
Yes Thermally non-conductive Seamless and airtight Artificial lighting not necessarily required |
Yes Thermally non-conductive but may not be airtight Artificial lighting required |
No Conducts heat and cold Artificial lighting required |
Yes Thermal mass can reduce heating and cooling costs Artificial lighting required |
| Durability |
Can last for decades Fabric impervious to corrosion and rot Can withstand all extreme weather including seismic events |
Can last 100 years or more Must be protected against the elements Vulnerable to insect and moisture damage Limited ability to withstand high winds, heavy snow loads, or seismic events |
Can last for 20-50 years Does not tear Expands and contracts and can eventually warp Prone to damage from high winds and hail |
Can last 50 years or more |
A clear span building has no interior columns or support posts breaking up the floor plan. Every square foot is usable, and there's nothing to design around for equipment, storage racking, or overhead cranes.
Steel can achieve a clear span, but it gets expensive fast—past roughly 150 feet, the steel needed to support the roof without interior columns adds to the high cost.
Concrete and wood can't achieve a true clear span at all; both need columns or load-bearing walls at intervals, which limits how the space can be used or changed later.
PVC-clad structures are the exception. Built on a rigid steel I-beam frame, they can reach 300 feet or more of clear span with no interior columns and without the cost of steel jumping at that scale. The same frame can also carry equipment like conveyors, cranes, and catwalks, hung from the beam wherever they’re needed, rather than fixed to a column location.
For a bulk storage operator, a steel building's corrosion risk can mean replacing the structure well before its expected lifespan ends, especially when storing salt, fertilizer, or other corrosive materials.
For a facility running a bridge crane or conveyor, the column requirement in concrete and wood buildings limits where that equipment can go.
A clear-span PVC-clad structure removes that constraint, since the equipment hangs from the frame instead.
The ultimate value of a building comes from its ability to perform as expected with the least hassle over time. Fully investigate all your options to achieve the building you need now and for the future.
Consider the pros and cons over the number of years you expect to use the building–initial cost, time to occupancy, maintenance, repairs, operations overhead, and intangibles such as worker safety and comfort. We encourage you to learn more about how PVC-clad construction compares with your specifications, location, timeline, budget, and long-term goals.