Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Feb 15, 2010 4:38 pm We are currently planning to build in South Australia, and have been visiting many builders displays. The dilemma we now face is steel frame or wood. Depending who you talk to they sledge the opposite. I understand that pest problem are reduced with steel and that there is probably more warping with wood. Basically is there people out there who have used both and have opinions? Re: steel frame v wood frame 2Feb 15, 2010 4:45 pm We went with steel as we like the homes and felt that it is more sturdy as you don't have the warping that you do with wood.... However some people have said that steel frames can cause you problems when it expands, our builder said that the amount it expands is less than what wood warps (I'm not sure if this is true or not just relaying what I had been told) Also we have a longer warranty on our steel frame than we would on a wood frame home so it is a little bit more piece of mind. I know everyone has their opinions on this issue and I think that no matter which way you go there will be positives and negatives for both... Emily and James.....Building with J G King Caraway 145- Our Beautiful First Little Home Site Cut Started on 13th of October 2009 Re: steel frame v wood frame 3Feb 15, 2010 4:52 pm If you do a search there is already a couple of threads on this topic. We went steel as it was offered at no extra cost, reason for us to use steel was the termite factor, also building on a slopping site our build is light weight. The frame went up really quickly and its very straight so the slab has to be spot on. All the holes in the frame are pre drilled for electrical wires etc, also with the joists on the lower level as they are not a soild timber beam, we didn't have to put bulk heads in the ceiling to run the aircon ducting. I think its a personal choice, there are advantages and disadvantages of both and as you have found out very strong views on either side. Cheers Lou http://take2-customdesigndownslope.blogspot.com 07-10-09 omg they have cut the block 14-05-10 we finally have the keys Re: steel frame v wood frame 4Feb 15, 2010 5:03 pm Good question, we went through this issue as well. This is essentially the list we drew up for steel in making our decision Steel Pro's Lightweight construction Reduces termite issues Less warping Faster framing stage Longer warranties Greater design flexibility with some builders Steel con's Less flexibility in renovations, eg. removing walls Some tradies don't like working with steel frames for reno's Electrical and plumbing all needs to be pre-drilled, more costly to make changes More costly to change cabling, plumbing etc after handover Some tradies charge more for all other fitouts when using steel frame Can't drill into the studs to hang decorator items Needs upgrading in marine environment Needs upgrading to have tiled roof Only some builders will use steel. Some it's standard others it's an upgrade. Might limit the range of plans to look at Upgraded steel required for 2 storey, if not using the upgraded steel then limited to single storey forever (ie reno's later to add second storey) Re: steel frame v wood frame 5Feb 15, 2010 5:34 pm Madfish, do you have a builder who builds in both steel and timber? - ie everything else the same and this is a straightforward choice? We have a steel frame - to be honest, we dont have strong opinions about frames- we picked a house/land package based on location, cost, floor plan, flexibility etc (the usual factors) and the builder just happened to build only steel frames so thats what we have Re: steel frame v wood frame 6Feb 15, 2010 7:26 pm I went with steel. Cost a bomb but the termite issue was the deciding factor. Built Liberty 42 - Handover 26th Feb 2010 forum thread: https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=17243 Re: steel frame v wood frame 7Feb 15, 2010 8:37 pm Fernyhouse Can't drill into the studs to hang decorator items So what do you do to hang heavier items (e.g. large tv's and paintings)? If you have figure out locations for all of these items before you finish your framing, I see it as a pretty limiting factor. Re: steel frame v wood frame 8Feb 16, 2010 3:58 pm rotanon Fernyhouse Can't drill into the studs to hang decorator items So what do you do to hang heavier items (e.g. large tv's and paintings)? If you have figure out locations for all of these items before you finish your framing, I see it as a pretty limiting factor. Can anyone comment on the ability (or lack of) to hang heavy items on a steel frame after construction is complete? Re: steel frame v wood frame 9Feb 16, 2010 4:48 pm Fernyhouse Good question, we went through this issue as well. Steel con's Less flexibility in renovations, eg. removing walls - Most steel homes are truss roofs, so internal walls can be cut, swapped relativley easy (there are a few considerations, but in general this is true) - Steel is no harder to use when renovating. Electrical and plumbing all needs to be pre-drilled, more costly to make changes Most steel studs are pre drilled, so they are easy to cable and plumb (just clip in ther plastic o-rings to ensure surfaces dont rub. More costly to change cabling, plumbing etc after handover - No more difficult, abd possibly easier depending upon the type used (since some dont have full width noggins, wires can be lowered to the bottom plate with ease. Can't drill into the studs to hang decorator items - of course you can, but you usually use screws rather than nails. Chech out the display homes. Needs upgrading to have tiled roof - this is no more of an upgrade than for timber. Roof trusses are often 1200mm for sheet roofs, and 600mm for tiles (same for steel and timber) Only some builders will use steel. Some it's standard others it's an upgrade. Might limit the range of plans to look at - South Australia has the highest percentage of steel homes constructed, so choice shouldnt be as big an issue. If you are set on one particular design you are always going to be stuck with what the company use. Upgraded steel required for 2 storey, if not using the upgraded steel then limited to single storey forever (ie reno's later to add second storey) - as a rule of thumb you need to double the number of studs to support the second story renovation - this is no more a problem for steel or timber. In timber houses where access to studs is dificult or sizes prohibative, you will find steel supports are often used to take the load of a larger top-plate. How do I know this? - Im a licenced steel site supervisor. Re: steel frame v wood frame 10Feb 16, 2010 5:23 pm Good work Hillsy Where you are coming from is where you are going to... Re: steel frame v wood frame 12Feb 16, 2010 6:00 pm I didn't even look at steel frame houses, in fact it was a deal breaker for me. I've worked on houses with both steel and timber frames for many years. (Plumbing and roof plumbing) I know carpenters spend 4 years learning their trade. Steel frame erectors I believe only need to do a 7 week course to get their ticket. (correct me if this is incorrect) In any trade there is always going to be cowboys running around giving quality tradesman a bad name. I've come across timber frames that looked like handyman harry whipped them up. But I've come across a lot more undesirable frame work on steel frame houses. I rented a house for a couple of years that had steel frames, did i know.... No. Land settlement 4 May Building contracts signed 27 July Slab pour 26 March Frame started 10 May Bricks start 31 May Roof & Gutters Start 31 May gyprock 1 July Kitchen & cabinets/tiling 19 August Second fix plumbing 15 September Second fix electrical 22 September PCI 28 September viewtopic.php?f=31&t=29155 Re: steel frame v wood frame 13Feb 16, 2010 7:31 pm building aimlessly I know carpenters spend 4 years learning their trade. Steel frame erectors I believe only need to do a 7 week course to get their ticket. (correct me if this is incorrect). I cant confirm the 7 weeks, but agree there is a big difference between a carpenter and an errector. The carpenter should be able to build wall frames, trusses and do apropriate calculations, an errector needs to know what numbers go where and how to use a square and tech gun. Having said this there are a number of qualified carpenters who now only do steel frames (and do them well) 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 14434 This is 100% true. You can not hang anything on steel frames. very frustrating 8 5033 Hi, I have a steel frame house which was built 2 years ago. When you are down stairs you can hear clunking noises when someone is walking around. We were told if you… 0 4441 |