Browse Forums Building A New House Re: Steel frame vs timber 5Sep 23, 2008 10:36 pm Hi Mel&Em, if I may know, what was the house type your bro in law was building? Re: Steel frame vs timber 7Sep 24, 2008 2:11 pm Hello there
we are deciding between steel-framing and timber - so it is all good tohear about your experiences. I have visited quite a few display houses - JGKings, Henley, Simonds etc etc. - want the steelframed advantages, but have to say the JGKing's workmanship did not impress me from the display houses. Henley seems quite good at presenting, there is one simonds's design we quite like, but saw the other thread about their problems with simonds, hmm......... hard to decide! could i please ask in_for_the_difference, did you get teh quota from JGKing's design or customised your own design? thanks in advance nh Re: Steel frame vs timber 8Sep 24, 2008 5:46 pm nh,
We use an existing design by JGK and customise a few things. As long as no substantial amount of additional materials they don't charge extra. So far so good - but compared to PD the process is at the speed of snail. Good luck! Re: Steel frame vs timber 9Sep 24, 2008 5:48 pm nh,
We use an existing design by JGK and customise a few things. As long as no substantial amount of additional materials they don't charge extra. So far so good - but compared to PD the process is at the speed of snail. Good luck! Re: Steel frame vs timber 10Sep 24, 2008 5:50 pm If I had my way over again, I would do steel, for strength and to combat White ants. Internal and External Building and Colour Consultant Online - Worldwide http://www.denovoconcepts.com Re: Steel frame vs timber 11Sep 24, 2008 5:59 pm Michelle If I had my way over again, I would do steel, for strength and to combat White ants. The white ant argument is valid - although there is still a small quantity of onsite work which will require timber, valley boards and minor bibs and bobs. I don't think the strength argument is valid. The steel sections used in domestic construction have been optimised to with in an inch of their life so that they are specifically suited to domestic framing, there would be as much "surplus" strength as there would be in timber. Sure the sellers of steel building frames say "steel is stonger" which pound for pound is a fact, but a section made up of 2 to 3 mm gauge sheet steel is as strong as a 4 x 2 timber section. The builder wouldn't provide any additional strength over that required by the various codes and regulations - otherwise he's doin' dough. Re: Steel frame vs timber 12Sep 24, 2008 8:31 pm MIke just said what I was trying to say earlier, only better. When I first heard the words "Steel frame", I imagined solid steel beams. Not steel a few mm thick bent to form a U-shape. Picking up one length of the steel doesn't exactly fill you with confidence regarding its strength. You can actually flex the piece with your hands. So, strength wise, I'd be more confident with timber any day. Re: Steel frame vs timber 13Sep 24, 2008 9:23 pm thanks for your reply - in_for_the _difference! I am seeing a simonds SC tommorrow and will see a JGK sales rep tomorrow as well.
If we go to JGK, we tends to customise a plan. as for henley, i think most of theri designs do not use upstair spaces efficiently, i.e, small upstair spaces apart from the master suite. i have got young adult daughter, she erally needs a big wardrobe, plus a growing teenage son. So decent kids rooms and wardrobes are part of our needs. with ergards to the strength of steel-frames, i am surprised to know they can be bent with hands, so how strong are they? i wan told by a SC that they are lighter, put less pressure on the house, what does that mean? also how do all of you think about the termite issue with timber ? will appreciate any comments! nh Re: Steel frame vs timber 14Sep 24, 2008 9:56 pm I doubt you would be able to bend steel in your hand..
We make cars out of steel frames not timber... eventually most builders will probably change to steel as time goes on. It is a superior product but as timber has been used for 100's of years, it takes time for things to change to newer technology. Re: Steel frame vs timber 16Sep 24, 2008 10:53 pm Michelle If I had my way over again, I would do steel, for strength and to combat White ants. I agree with Michelle. Also like to know when the builder uses steel, does it means that for 2 stories ones, the flooring for upstairs will also be in steel? If so, that would be an excellent idea! As one of the major problem with our house is, our builder spent 6 weeks to finish the brick work. During that looooooooong period, our floor board was soaked in water due to long rainy period.....very bad! Re: Steel frame vs timber 17Sep 25, 2008 12:56 am A further question on steel frame: was told that with steel frame and trusses, this will ensure "true-straight ceilings with no waves or joint cracks". Is this true? I mean, what's the chance of these happening/not-happening with timber frame?
Thank for input. IFTE Re: Steel frame vs timber 18Sep 25, 2008 7:07 am in_for_the_experience A further question on steel frame: was told that with steel frame and trusses, this will ensure "true-straight ceilings with no waves or joint cracks". Is this true? I mean, what's the chance of these happening/not-happening with timber frame? Thank for input. IFTE I live in a 4 yr old townhouse at the moment which is timber frame. And there is cracks everywhere in the plasterwork. Mainly in the ceiling and corners of the cornices. If this is avoided with steel frame then that would be a great benefit. Re: Steel frame vs timber 19Sep 25, 2008 8:04 am Regarding the bending steel issue. I did not say you can bend only flex. That is when I grabbed the steel beam with both hands (spaced about 40cm apart and twisted, it was easy enough to move it slightly. That's what I meant by flexing it. It has a bit of "give" in it. I hope that clarifies my earlier comment. Re: Steel frame vs timber 20Sep 25, 2008 9:45 am ahuang Also like to know when the builder uses steel, does it means that for 2 stories ones, the flooring for upstairs will also be in steel? No ... even the framing of the upstair floor is timber (actually a combination of timber and steel). We didn't go with JGK because of steel frame, so it wasn't a big deal for us, but might be an issue for someone else. This is 100% true. You can not hang anything on steel frames. very frustrating 8 10458 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 15024 Hi, We have a single story MacDonald Jones house, on a waffle pod slab with steel frame. Are we able to build a second story extension? Other info is we are 900mm from… 0 9306 |