Criterion
Steel construction
Timber construction
Construction
Frame construction made of steel profiles
Construction made of cross-laminated timber (CLT) and solid wood
External dimensions
Standardized module dimensions up to approx. 3.11 x 6.20 m, room height up to approx. 2.50 m
Width approx. 3.00 m, length and height can be flexibly planned depending on the project
External walls
PU elements with sheet metal cladding, sheet thickness approx. 0.6 mm
Multi-layer wall structure with CLT timber construction, natural insulation and a ventilated facade
Exterior appearance
Technically oriented facade solution based on sheet metal cladding and PU elements, with a rather standardized appearance
Versatile facade solution with various design options using materials such as wood, glass, structured panels or slats
Internal walls
PU elements, sheet metal (0.6 mm); additional substructure required for other surface finishes
Cross-laminated timber (industrial / visible quality), paintable; direct material application possible
Interior appearance
Matter-of-fact, technical interior appearance due to sheet metal and panel surfaces
Natural interior feel with a warm wood appearance
MEP installations
Installations are generally routed via service walls or visible surface-mounted solutions
Installations can be flexibly integrated into the wall via grooves, recesses and integrated channels
Floor
Floor structure on a steel frame with intermediate beams and additional support or finishing boards
Solid timber panel as the structural base
Floor insulation
Insulation between the profiles; due to the design, thermal bridge planning requires particular attention
Insulation can be built up directly on the timber panel, enabling a clearly structured floor build-up
Ceiling
Ceiling build-up between the profiles with additional support and finishing boards; thermal bridges must be considered in the design
Insulation can be attached directly to the timber panel, resulting in a clear and reduced ceiling build-up
Construction method
More detailed, more segmented construction with correspondingly higher coordination effort
Reduced and systematic construction with economical and architecturally flexible fit-out options
Dismantling / relocation
Due to its dead weight, relocation involves greater effort
Compared to steel, lower dead weight and therefore more flexible handling
Sustainability
Sustainability depends more heavily on material use, dismantling concept and reuse
Renewable raw material with a positive impact on future-oriented construction
Facade sensitivity
Damage to the panel surface is generally visible and more noticeable in the overall appearance
Robust facade solutions with easily replaceable individual elements, depending on the chosen material
Costs
Multiple work steps, detailed junctions and additional fit-out layers can
result in increased material and assembly effort
The systematic construction method can contribute to more efficient production and assembly processes
Production
Production with multiple interfaces and partly external trades
Manufacturing in clearly structured processes with a high degree of prefabrication
Fire protection
For fire protection, structural protective measures and corresponding claddings for the steel construction must be planned
Wood has highly predictable fire behaviour and forms a protective char layer on the surface in the event of fire
Temperature / indoor climate
Thermal behaviour depends more strongly on the additional layer build-up and insulation concept
Wood has natural temperature-regulating properties and supports a balanced indoor climate
