Steel Frame - Pros/Cons?

desaiadi · Jun 01, 2020 12:50 pm

Hi Guys,

We are contemplating to go for Steel Frame built for a 20sq house single storey. And having read lot of reviews, couple of questions we have are - Is it more expensive to get changes done later on (e.g. adding LEDs, powerpoints, wall mount brackets etc.) - an electrician told me, they might charge extra to work on Steel Frames houses. Any feedback, suggestions or advice will be appreciated.
Are steel frames - 'stay away' 'run away' kind of a thing?
Thanks!

arcadelt · Jun 01, 2020 1:05 pm

desaiadi

Are steel frames - 'stay away' 'run away' kind of a thing?

No, they are not.

desaiadi

Is it more expensive to get changes done later on (e.g. adding LEDs, powerpoints, wall mount brackets etc.) - an electrician told me, they might charge extra to work on Steel Frames houses.

I doubt it, but of course some might want to use it as an excuse to charge more. The issue in adding things inside a wall is the fact that it is difficult to add things inside a closed space, which needs to opened or accessed in some way - that’s what makes adding things later more expensive. That’s why you try to think ahead and add these things or at least some form of access/conduit during a build.

alexp79 · Jun 01, 2020 1:22 pm

The main issue is that steel it is a major cold bridge, so your insulation will be always working at best to 50%.
Adding LEDs, powerpoints, etc. is generally even smoother than with timber, as long as the right tools are used.

It is okay and even more practical to use steel studs inside.

Stewie D · Jun 02, 2020 11:14 am

I don't know how you would go getting a 5 or 6 star energy rating for your house with steel frames as per what alex is saying above. I know walls account for 25-35% of where heat goes in your house but even so to get it to comply you would have to upgrade the insulation considerably. I'd like to hear from other people that have had steel framed houses built as to what they had to install to get their walls compliant.

Stewie

Norfolk · Jun 02, 2020 12:05 pm

Is the Steel frame system thermally broken?

arcadelt · Jun 02, 2020 12:39 pm

Norfolk

Is the Steel frame system thermally broken?

I guess it depends on how your builder builds it. I don’t have a fully steel framed house, but have many steel frames in my house, and they are isolated/broken.

alexp79 · Jun 02, 2020 1:18 pm

Norfolk

Is the Steel frame system thermally broken?

Usually only internal studs, but again, depending on how it is built, e.g. how internal studs connect to ceiling beams.

There are ways to thermally break external frames by using EPS (or better XPS) boards in front of the framing, but this generally implies facade changes and other issues coming together with poly cladding.

bank · Jun 03, 2020 2:28 pm

We have a steel frame and I wouldn't choose one again without insulating all the internal walls. Thermally our house seems to perform well and we had no issue achieving 6 stars without any upgrades. Also we haven't had any trades express concern or charge any more for any installations. However the sound travels through the frame far too easily. The walls sound hollow and tinny. If the kids only lightly bump a wall we're up to investigate what's happened! The internal walls that are insulated are fine. Might not bother everyone but I'm pretty sensitive to sound.