Wooden versus Metal Poles

I recently saw a question on LinkedIn that asked why we don’t use more metal utility poles instead of wooden ones. It’s a good question, and there are a lot of issues to consider when choosing between the two. One issue to consider is useful life. On paper, the useful life of a wooden pole is thirty to forty years. However, there are plenty of poles that have lasted fifty and even sixty years. Another important issue is cost. Wooden poles have gotten a lot more expensive in recent years. I see prices online today between $250 and $1,300 for a 40-foot pole, with the price varying by thickness and load-bearing ability. Steel poles are more expensive, with a typical price for a 40-foot pole between $2,000 and $3,000.