Browse Forums Building A New House 1 May 17, 2021 12:18 pm We have been given option by our builder to upgrade to steel frames i/o timber in $5k due to lack of supply of timber. Can someone please share their experience living in steel framed house? I have heard below cons of steel frame: 1. Noise issues during summer (Expanding & contraction) 2. Insulation 3. Hanging paintings / TV mounting. Re: Steel Frames 2May 17, 2021 2:37 pm nemo03 We have been given option by our builder to upgrade to steel frames i/o timber in $5k due to lack of supply of timber. Can someone please share their experience living in steel framed house? I have heard below cons of steel frame: 1. Noise issues during summer (Expanding & contraction) 2. Insulation 3. Hanging paintings / TV mounting. Nemo03 As per my other posts on this subject we have switched our business over to steel frames here in Sydney due to the increased cost of timber. The reason I say that is that your builder should probably be offering you a credit to switch over as we are finding that our steel frames are coming in cheaper. Maybe they are more expensive in your part of the world, but definitely not in Sydney. If he is getting charged more maybe he needs to phone around for some more competitive quotes. I suspect your home might have been priced before the recent huge increases and he is trying to make up for some lost money Also from a building perspective, plumbers and electricians love steel as all the holes are pre drilled, so he could probably negotiate a cheaper rate with them to cover that $5k hope this helps Simeon Simeon McGovern Affordable Custom Homes, We design and build to your budget Ashington Homes www.ashingtonhomes.com.au Re: Steel Frames 3May 17, 2021 4:28 pm We don't notice noise from expansion however sound travels very well through the walls. Kids bump a wall in another room and we jumping up wondering what has happened, it's terrible. All the walls with sound insulation are fine. If we had our time over we would insulate every wall. Hanging heavy things like tv's was more of a hassle than timber but there are specialist products out there for the job. We used togglers, hard to find but work really well. Re: Steel Frames 4May 17, 2021 4:43 pm My steel framed home is on a high hill facing the weather, it's been standing for 25 years without any movement and without any leaks. I would build in steel again. I thought about insulation between the rooms but decided against it and it's never bothered us. Hanging pics - no problem, TV on the wall - no problem. I am currently moving walls, and again - no problem. No noise in the summer, but we do have a tiled roof. I can hear the hot water pipe move when it warms up and cools down - but it's negligible and it is because the plumber left out some of the grommets. "ECOECO" At 'EcoEco', we design windows, we design the best windows, we do it for you, so that when you’re happy we are happy. Tel. 1800 326 326 Re: Steel Frames 5May 17, 2021 5:51 pm nemo03 We have been given option by our builder to upgrade to steel frames i/o timber in $5k due to lack of supply of timber. Can someone please share their experience living in steel framed house? I have heard below cons of steel frame: 1. Noise issues during summer (Expanding & contraction) 2. Insulation 3. Hanging paintings / TV mounting. We have owned both and I wouldn't hesitate in choosing a steel frame again. The steel roofing did tick when expanding and contracting (as you would expect) but on a cloudy day the ticking was an early warning system that it was starting to rain and could rush out and bring in the washing. After sundown there was no ticking so sleep wasn't disturbed. After a week or so you get used to the ticking anyway. Our house was well insulated with sisal and batts, it also had timber ceilings and feature walls, lots of large windows and was never cold. Hanging paintings etc, meant you had to pick up a drill and screw instead of a hammer and nail. Again, not a big deal. Re: Steel Frames 7May 20, 2021 11:41 am nemo03 Thank you all for your valuable inputs, will chat to builder regarding the cost he is charging us stating upgrade to steel frame. It would probably be wiser to be prepared By being armed with building Data and costs before hand. Do you know how many l/m of framing you'll be paying extra for and at what cost? Structural Bim Framing Models Forewarned is forearmed Designer,Engineer (Civil,Const & Envir),Builder,Concrete & Masonry Contract.Struct Repairs Re: Steel Frames 8May 27, 2021 6:50 pm Hi when it comes to steel frames.. re insulation.. what are we talking about here? - wraps between the frame and the exterior (cladding brick Hebel other) eg Bradford enviroseal - insulation between the frames cavaties - what product is sound insulation? Re: Steel Frames 9May 28, 2021 5:44 am mustard Hi when it comes to steel frames.. re insulation.. what are we talking about here? - wraps between the frame and the exterior (cladding brick Hebel other) eg Bradford enviroseal - insulation between the frames cavaties - what product is sound insulation? Hi Mustard In my opinion, and it's only my opinion, I would recommend not to over think this unless you are in an extremely cold or hot climate. ie if you in a coastal area here is what we do and we find that our homes stay at least 10 -12 degrees warmer in winter then the outside temperature ( based on Sydney's climate): 1. Wrap your house tightly, regular Bunnings sarking is fine, but you need to tape up every sheet with the silver insulation tape they sell. From experience the taping is key to close air gaps 2. We spray foam all penetrations, this is not only great for air tightness it also helps stops rodents 3. If you are really worried about steel frames being thermal conductors, spray foam the cavity between the stud and the sarking ( we have never done this but it would be the easiest solution) 4. A good rockwool insulation to all walls and ceiling. We do all internal walls, the downstairs ceiling. Generally its 2.5 walls and 5.0 ceiling. 5. Have a careful think about your windows, especially size and placement and window coverings. You can spend a ton on your walls and if you don't get your windows right then you have wasted your time and money. Windows are the worst when in comes to thermal insulation. I hope this helps. Main thing is to close all the air gaps you will have a very comfortable house Happy Friday Simeon Architectural Homes & Duplexes - specialising in custom designing homes to your budget Get a Free Onsite Consultation Today or send a PM for information, questions or advice. That sucks! Hope it all works out. Good to move away from steel anyway for all your reasons, but it's also thermally poor. 16 17775 Hi I am wanting some opinions about the build of a steel shed I am going to get one about 4.5 x 2.5 m steel shed and the height will be about 2.3-2.4m high The one I am… 0 14435 |