Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Aug 20, 2008 9:06 pm We are thinking about a steel frame house.
What are these like?, do they make the noise some say they do or are they quite like the builders claim? Any dealings with World Concept or Weekspeacock? Any thoughts please regardsing steel over wood etc. Re: Steel frame in Adelaide 2Aug 20, 2008 9:22 pm We are building with steel frame.
After having severe termite damage to our last house it was an easy choice with us. We have spoken to many people with steel frame homes and havent heard one complaint. Good luck with your build. Treechangers Will we ever get there? Re: Steel frame in Adelaide 3Aug 20, 2008 9:58 pm just remember you can't add onto the house down the track as steel framed houses are engineered to a specific load. Re: Steel frame in Adelaide 4Aug 21, 2008 9:49 am Metter,
I've just signed with Weeks&Macklin to build a home that is owner-designed. World Concept, Weeks&Macklin and Weeks Peacock are the same company (Weeks Peacock is the "Lexus" side of the business). They own Superloc, so frames are made "in-house" at Elizabeth. Their price is quite reasonable. As with most builders, be very careful of what's included and what's not included in the price (esp if you're not building an off-the-shelf home). The thought of not having to treat for termites every 10 years won me over. Sure, door frames and so on, can still be eaten by termites, but I'm willing to wear that. If you have any specific questions about my experience with W&M, let me know. Chris Re: Steel frame in Adelaide 5Aug 21, 2008 10:02 am We have built a steel frame home with McCracken Homes (this one really is a different company to W+P, World Concept etc), mainly do country SA.
We haven't moved into the house yet so can't comment on noise but steel frame houses are common here, many McCracken ones, and haven't heard anybody mention noise problems. I didn't know that about not being able to add on to house, we would never wish to do so anyway. But surely there must be ways of extending and then reinforcing the frame if neccesary. Well, TDL or other engineers: is there? Re: Steel frame in Adelaide 6Aug 21, 2008 10:50 am DeeElle just remember you can't add onto the house down the track as steel framed houses are engineered to a specific load. Timber framed houses are designed to a "specific" load you can add, change, modify as easily to a steel framed as a timber framed one, the only thing is that the extension will likely need to be timber framed as extension builders will build with timber...... mmm....donuts Homer Simpson 1956- Links: Site Costs Ready Reckoner | H1 Addiction Medical Advice | Château TDL: The Backyard Re: Steel frame in Adelaide 7Aug 21, 2008 11:07 am to_do_list DeeElle just remember you can't add onto the house down the track as steel framed houses are engineered to a specific load. Timber framed houses are designed to a "specific" load you can add, change, modify as easily to a steel framed as a timber framed one, the only thing is that the extension will likely need to be timber framed as extension builders will build with timber...... My partner just said that you can't renovate a house with steel frames (i.e. remove this wall, add that wall etc) as the steel frame has been engineered for that specific plan. I would imagine you can extend though. Meh hope what I said makes sense, the way my partner explains it makes more sense.... Re: Steel frame in Adelaide 8Aug 21, 2008 11:19 am Minx to_do_list DeeElle just remember you can't add onto the house down the track as steel framed houses are engineered to a specific load. Timber framed houses are designed to a "specific" load you can add, change, modify as easily to a steel framed as a timber framed one, the only thing is that the extension will likely need to be timber framed as extension builders will build with timber...... My partner just said that you can't renovate a house with steel frames (i.e. remove this wall, add that wall etc) as the steel frame has been engineered for that specific plan. I would imagine you can extend though. Meh hope what I said makes sense, the way my partner explains it makes more sense.... If you go upwards on any steel or timber framed house you would need to add internal columns and beams to support the second storey structure, makes absolutely no difference. You'll probably find that on a modest sized steel framed single storey house none of the internal walls are load bearing....in our steel framed home which we just sold after 10 years.....none of the internal walls supported the roof trusses there was a physical gap between the truss and steel top plate with only a flat plate to stop the top of the wall moving....you could have completely stripped the internals of the house and be left with a shell.....of course there is a limit to this if wou have a very wide house you'd may have an internal support wall somewhere. My point is that irrespective of whether it is steel or timber the limits to renovation will depend on what you are trying to acheive and the structural design behind it, not the fact that it is "steel" or "timber". mmm....donuts Homer Simpson 1956- Links: Site Costs Ready Reckoner | H1 Addiction Medical Advice | Château TDL: The Backyard Re: Steel frame in Adelaide 9Aug 21, 2008 12:18 pm we are currently living in a steel frame home and have found it does transfer noise easily, for example I was in the garage and my pertner was on the other side of the wall pulling some cords up from the back of the computer desk on the other side of the wall. It sounded quite loud as if some rodents were fighting in thre roof directly above me, slam a door and the whole house will hear it and occasionally you will hear a snap or creeking sound of the metal.
Also note that steel prices seem to increase dramatically every few months and are up for another price increase next month, unsure if wood is also increasing (likely only reason would be to profit from the steel increase) but steel now cost double what it did when I got my first quote 6 months ago Re: Steel frame in Adelaide 10Aug 21, 2008 10:48 pm My DH works in public housing and has encountered numerous difficulties with steel framed houses which put us off building one e.g. <his words >
not being able to attach pergolas to the fascia not being able to install box style aircon. into walls not being able to install roof mounted aircon specifically if any of these were additional items after the initial construction of the build, as the steel frame is built to such fine tolerances. Re: Steel frame in Adelaide 11Aug 21, 2008 11:04 pm DeeElle My DH works in public housing and has encountered numerous difficulties with steel framed houses which put us off building one e.g. <his words > not being able to attach pergolas to the fascia An issue in timber framed houses as well, the fascia is not a structural element. Pergolas should either be free standing or tied back into the main structural elements of the building. DeeElle not being able to install box style aircon. into walls The stud spacing is the same as for timber houses. DeeElle not being able to install roof mounted aircon We did on our steel framed home. Are you talking about new houses here or old steel framed houses. The first lot of steel framed houses (c1980's) were shockers. Also it is difficult to retrofit new pipework and electricals because you need to isolate the services from the steel frames otherwise you can get bad waterhammer, or if you drag the electrical cable through steel noggings without rubber grommits you cans strip the insulation. mmm....donuts Homer Simpson 1956- Links: Site Costs Ready Reckoner | H1 Addiction Medical Advice | Château TDL: The Backyard Re: Steel frame in Adelaide 12Aug 21, 2008 11:20 pm My comments relate to public housing engineers recommendations and policy for SA. There is a public document cautioning tenants moving to steel framed properties of the limitations they could encounter. SA Public housing authority does not allow specific improvments to be made to steel framed houses.
DH is talking about new steel framed builds due to inflexibility in the engineering - these policies do not apply to timber framed houses. The public housing engineers may be erring on the conservative side, but nevertheless it is policy and does not relate to timber framed houses . That doesn't mean there aren't advantages to steel framed houses. Re: Steel frame in Adelaide 13Aug 21, 2008 11:24 pm Interesting....I'm working off the principle that we were going to extend our previous house upwards and each of the three builders were unfazed by the steel frame - the extension would be timber but they'd work off the steel frame and in fact reuse the roof trusses where possible...by the way I'm not being deliberately argumentative...just trying to understand.... mmm....donuts Homer Simpson 1956- Links: Site Costs Ready Reckoner | H1 Addiction Medical Advice | Château TDL: The Backyard Re: Steel frame in Adelaide 14Aug 21, 2008 11:27 pm I understand . Policy might be different interstate and practice no doubt varies significantly between public and private housing.
Public housing is no doubt much more conservative, and whether or not it makes good sense is another thing altogether ! Re: Steel frame in Adelaide 15Aug 21, 2008 11:31 pm DeeElle I understand . Policy might be different interstate and practice no doubt varies significantly between public and private housing. Public housing is no doubt much more conservative, and whether or not it makes good sense is another thing altogether ! Being in the public sector myself I can guarantee lots of things don't make sense....including some of the cr*p I write.... mmm....donuts Homer Simpson 1956- Links: Site Costs Ready Reckoner | H1 Addiction Medical Advice | Château TDL: The Backyard Re: Steel frame in Adelaide 16Aug 21, 2008 11:32 pm to_do_list DeeElle I understand . Policy might be different interstate and practice no doubt varies significantly between public and private housing. Public housing is no doubt much more conservative, and whether or not it makes good sense is another thing altogether ! Being in the public sector myself I can guarantee lots of things don't make sense....including some of the cr*p I write.... rofl I was thinking the same thing myself when I wrote the response. Some new grad probably wrote the policy after 3 years in social work lol. Re: Steel frame in Adelaide 17Aug 21, 2008 11:34 pm DeeElle to_do_list DeeElle I understand . Policy might be different interstate and practice no doubt varies significantly between public and private housing. Public housing is no doubt much more conservative, and whether or not it makes good sense is another thing altogether ! Being in the public sector myself I can guarantee lots of things don't make sense....including some of the cr*p I write.... rofl I was thinking the same thing myself when I wrote the response. Some i**t probably wrote the policy after 3 years in social work lol. I write engineering cr*p....it makes even less sense.... mmm....donuts Homer Simpson 1956- Links: Site Costs Ready Reckoner | H1 Addiction Medical Advice | Château TDL: The Backyard Re: Steel frame in Adelaide 18Aug 21, 2008 11:40 pm lol you got in ahead of me before I could edit my response.
No reflection on social workers mind . I really know how to dig deep holes for myself. Fell into some mud on site today and I'm still drying to dig my way out . Re: Steel frame in Adelaide 19Aug 22, 2008 1:48 pm Hi there,
Hubby is an electrician and says he wouldnt build a steel frame. Says they are alot more difficult to do electrical in afterwards, and the roof cavities are really hot in summer, he says you can feel the heat coming of the roof frames, whereas with timber, its not the case. Also, we are getting a gas wall furnace and evaporative cooler put in after handover, and the first question asked from the installers was "is it steel frame?" apparently it would have cost more to install... Re: Steel frame in Adelaide 20Aug 22, 2008 5:49 pm Id like to add 2 cents worth here, if I may.
1)Steel is good, probably more expensive, but well worth the initial outlay (no more termite worries). Very strong and durable. 2)Timber is also good, a little less cheaper, yes. Precautions in construction detailing will eliminate the nasty termites anyway (termite caps, provision for reticulated termite treatment, termite barriers etc. Water pipes, electrical wires etc etc can as easily be reticulated through steel framing as timber framing, there is no difference (except for the drill bit used to form the holes required). You can add to a steel frame house, outwards, upwards, whatever direction you desire, the only thing to remember is to consult a structural engineer, he will work out all the forces, weights, stability etc etc, he will advise on what you can and cant do. Your probably bored of me saying this in my replys, but there is a reason why they exist, if in doubt, consult the professionals. Noise if dealt with correctly will not be an issue, everyone these days should be packing their homes with as much insulation as possible, insulation cuts down / eliminates noise transfer. Pat. 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 14442 This is 100% true. You can not hang anything on steel frames. very frustrating 8 8009 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 4451 |