Will pole building hold up as well as steel?

I have a question that I hope you’ll share with others interested in residential airparks.

What percentage of hangars at fly-in communities are steel frame and what percentage are wood frame?

I was surprised that a lot of hangars have wood “pole barn” construction with the wood column set in the ground. My lifetime concern has always been wood rot and termites, carpenter ants, etc. I know most builders use treated wood for the posts.

My personal preference would be concrete “piers” or foundation with steel frame.

Friends have told me the wooden buildings are guaranteed for 50 years but in my opinion, buildings should last indefinitely. My house was built in 1951 and I would hope it lasts more than 50 years.

Anyway, I’m curious about the split between wood and steel in hangar foundation construction. I guess another related question relates to the long-term success of various structures in term of “endurance”, wind and snow load resistance, etc.

Thanks,

AL Masetti

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