I get the labor savings on steel, but honestly, I've found plywood shear walls easier to manage when doing remodels or repairs later on. Steel frames might go up quick initially, but any future mods become a real pain...just my two cents.
I see your point about plywood shear walls being easier down the road. I helped my brother remodel his place last year, and we had to deal with steel frames from a previous seismic retrofit. Man, those things were stubborn...ended up needing special tools and extra hands just to make minor adjustments. But I guess steel does give some peace of mind during a quake. Curious though, have you ever tried hybrid systems—like combining steel and plywood? Wonder if that'd be the best of both worlds or just double the headache later on...
Hybrid systems can actually work pretty well from my experience. Helped retrofit a small apartment complex last year, and we combined steel moment frames with plywood shear walls strategically placed throughout. It wasn't exactly headache-free—had to carefully coordinate the connections and transitions between materials—but overall, it gave us flexibility and solid seismic performance. If you're detail-oriented and plan ahead, it's definitely manageable. Sounds like you handled the steel frames pretty well already, so you'd probably be fine tackling a hybrid setup.
Interesting to hear your experience with hybrid systems. From an interior design perspective, I've always wondered about the aesthetic implications—do you find that combining materials like steel frames and plywood shear walls limits your interior layout or design choices? I imagine it could either be creatively inspiring or a bit restrictive depending on how visible these structural elements become. Curious if you had to make any major compromises or if it opened up new opportunities for unique interior features...
Having restored a historic home myself, I'd say visible structural elements like steel beams or plywood shear walls aren't necessarily restrictive. In fact, they can become focal points—adding character and authenticity that traditional finishes might lack. It's all about embracing the quirks creatively...
