The benefits of steel framing vast outweigh other framing materials. From its durability, to its strength, to its accuracy, steel is by far the smarter and safer alternative for your next project.

• Durable: Steel can withstand all the elements without changing its structure. It’s strong, long lasting, requires little ongoing maintenance and is sustainable, both in its production and its minimal waste (being 100% recyclable).
• Accurate: Unlike timber which can warp or bow, steel framing is straight, precise and millimetre perfect. This level of accuracy means there are fewer errors, little material waste, a quicker installation and less money spent in overall construction costs.
• Safe: Steel frames are fabricated to the highest standards making them strong and lightweight. They do not contribute to or accelerate fires, and do not attract termites or mould.

Steel has been used for many years on commercial and industrial buildings. Its strength, ease of use, speed of installation and durability are just some of the benefits of using steel and we’re excited to be providing steel as an alternative framing material for the residential market.

As the timber shortage across Australia continues to limit supply and increase costs, we are beginning to see the tables turn on timber. Steel is becoming the more cost-effective alternative building material, per linear metre. If you have the steel frames preassembled, the time saved on installation will also see you saving money on overall labour and construction costs.

Our steel frames are prefabricated, punched and pre-drilled. They are delivered to your jobsite preassembled allowing for faster and easier installation, which helps you reduce your building time and labour costs. Installation is simple, with easy to follow plans, your frames will be up-right in no time at all.

We can manufacture almost any home design you seek, as the customisation opportunities with steel are endless. Steel is strong, lightweight, and straight which can support both single and multi-storey designs easily. Don’t let your design be compromised by other building materials, go with steel and have no regrets.

Very simply, a frame made of steel is a high quality product. It represents value for money and brings peace of mind. A steel frame is light and strong, it will not burn, it is termite, borer, and fungus-proof, and it will not shrink or warp.

Yes. For ongoing peace of mind the best solution to the termite menace is a steel frame. Termites cannot eat steel. Most timbers needs to be defended against termites. Organchlorine chemical treatments, which were effective for protecting timber, were banned some years ago because of health concerns. The treatments that have taken their place are probably less toxic but are also less effective. The alternative physical barriers are not foolproof. Because it is unseen, most people rarely think about the frame of their house, but without it there can be no house. Any damage to the frame is clearly very serious, is often dangerous, and for most people, a financial disaster. The consumer’s lowest-risk option is a steel frame in combination with either a termite barrier, or termite-resistant fittings in the house.

No. Steel framing is very competitive on price, particularly when you consider its quality! A steel frame gives value for money. It is a premium quality product that sets the benchmark. It has many advantages over timber, including the best quality timber.  Timber comes in many types and grades, and its price can fluctuate widely. Compared with top quality timber, and counting all the benefits of steel frames, they are a bargain. The fact is that discerning buyers are increasingly demanding steel frames. The proof is that steel framing suppliers continue in business.

Yes. There are ongoing savings for the householder. Because steel will not burn and is termite-proof, some insurers offer attractive discounts on their premiums for steel framed homes. Also, the expense of ongoing anti-termite chemical treatments is avoided, and you will never have to replace your frame due to termite damage.

Competitive pricing is generally available from progressive builders for standard house designs. Progressive builders are aware that steel frames are the way of the future, and are generally prepared to quote competitively. Bear in mind that quality and peace of mind are worth a premium.

Yes. In Australia steel framing has been used successfully in housing since the early 1950’s. The Australian steel framing industry has a well-earned reputation for being highly innovative. Today’s framing represents the results of years of research, testing and product improvement. It is a thoroughly engineered product. In responding to the needs of the Australian customer, the steel framing industry in Australia leads the World with its technology. Don’t forget that steel frames have been used in commercial buildings for many years because of their superior attributes.

The steel in the frames is produced by quality-accredited producers to appropriate National Standard Specifications.  The components are precision manufactured and assembled to very tight tolerances using advanced techniques. Computer-aided design, computer-controlled manufacture, and advanced engineering, ensure the home buyer gets the design he or she wants, and that installation is quick and easy. Strength and performance are engineered into the frame.

Yes. Our frames and trusses can be installed by the customer. Panels are easily handled and are clearly identified for assembly, with pre-punched electrical and plumbing service holes. Roof trusses are identified and easily secured to support the walls.  Ceiling and roof battens are easily fixed to the trusses.

Yes. Additions are relatively simple and pose no problems. Furthermore, the existing steel structure will remain straight and true regardless of its age, making the job of lining up the extension easier than for conventional timber framing.

Freedom of floor plan and architectural style is practically unlimited. We can produce almost any one or two storey home design seen in the Australian market today. Furthermore, it is possible to produce designs in steel that are difficult with other materials. By taking advantage of this feature the owner can often build with less expense than by using more conventional materials.

Yes. Engineers’ details to satisfy council requirements are provided as a matter of routine, and lending authorities see steel framing as an excellent long-term investment.

Either! There are several steel floor systems available for pier-design. Direct fixing to concrete slabs is also very widely used.  On sloping sites where limits have been imposed on the maximum depth of cut and fill, it can be far more economical and environmentally friendly to use raised steel flooring than a concrete slab. Also, an elevated steel flooring system performs as an excellent first line of defence against sub-terranean termites because any termite workings are forced into the open where they are easily seen.

To the discerning eye, yes, they look better. Walls, ceilings and roofs do not have ripples or bumps in them, there are no “nail pops” in the plasterboard walls, and there are no shrinkage problems in intermediate floor joists. Roofs of steel-framed homes do not sag over time, even under concrete tiles, so the finished job keeps looking good.

The properties of steel are known and consistent and conform to Australian Standards or their equivalent. Steel framing components are designed around those properties with an extra allowance included for safety. Most modern systems use high tensile steel components with appropriate jointing methods, and are engineered to pass strict performance tests.

Yes. Steel is used extensively in cyclone prone areas because of its inherent strength.

Yes. Not surprisingly steel is the preferred framing material in the extreme climate of Northwest Western Australia, for example, where temperatures can vary more than 40 degrees Celsius in a single day.

Steel expands or contracts as the temperature changes. Is this a problem?

Our steel frames are mechanically jointed, in a properly constructed and insulated home thermally induced movement is not an issue.  Steel framing expands and contracts at rates not too dissimilar from the other materials used in building, which means it is unlikely that there will be noise or cornice cracking problems.  It is important that steel roof sheeting is not fixed too tightly to the roof battens, otherwise sound from expanding and/or contracting sheeting may be transmitted through the frame.

Steel frames are made of steel protected against corrosion by a hot-dipped metallic coating of either a zinc-aluminium alloy, or almost pure zinc (galvanised). These coatings conform to the appropriate Australian standards or their equivalent.  In external applications such as roofing these products are exposed to the elements and have excellent durability, so in less exposed applications such as inside the building envelope they weather more slowly.  Where there are drill holes and cut edges the galvanic action, or sacrificial protection, of the coatings protects the exposed steel edge against corrosion.

No. Because steel creates a positive earth, the lightning has less effect. The energy is conducted straight to the ground, and is not released destructively within the frame as in conventional framing or cladding.

Yes. Steel frames are safe because they are earthed. It is a requirement that all new housing be fitted with circuit breaking safety devices, so there is little chance of you touching anything live. A broken or pierced wire in a timber frame can remain live and leaking current can cause troublesome faults and fire risk.

When a fire breaks out in a building the safety of individuals is paramount, and in this respect frame performance is of secondary importance. Unless quickly brought under control, a fire can intensify and spread at frightening speed and therefore it is most important to have warning devices installed and for people to be able to get out of the building as quickly as possible. Smoke and heated air and/or asphyxiating gases are responsible for about 75% of fatalities in house fires. A steel frame will not burn.  It will not therefore contribute to the fire or its spreading, and will not release smoke and carbon dioxide.  Electrical faults cause many fires in wall cavities. An electrical fault cannot ignite a steel frame. If fire gets into the ceiling and ignites timber trusses it can spread very rapidly to the rest of the house. In a bushfire the point of ignition is often the roof cavity when burning embers are blown in under the eaves or tiles. House fires have been known to break through ceilings into the roof cavity. A steel roof truss cannot be ignited in either of these ways.

Steel frames represent the future of house framing. Continual product improvements and consumer awareness means that demand for steel-framed homes will keep increasing. People are more conscious than ever of the ever-increasing threat from termites. You can build the major termite management into the building, rather than add it on. A steel-framed house is a quality product that delivers to the customer long-term peace of mind and cost savings. Call backs are reduced and your reputation can be enhanced. Although steel frames require different techniques they are quick and easy to erect. Because steel has consistent strength and complies with strict standards and tight tolerances, every stud is a good stud. Steel frames are lightweight and easy to handle, time is not lost sorting to select suitable pieces, there is no need to straighten framework on site, and wastage of material is reduced.

Yes. All industries have some impact on the environment but most are making concerted efforts to reduce those impacts. The steel industry, the timber industry, and other building materials industries are required to work within government guidelines, which are influenced by international agreements. Attention is often drawn to the carbon dioxide produced when new steel is produced, overlooking the fact that steel is 100% recyclable, and that about 60% of all steel in use in Australia has been produced from recycled scrap. Little is also said about the negative impact on the environment of large plantations of introduced species of timber, and the attendant loss of habitat for native species.

A steel house frame is only one part of all the materials used in the construction of the house. Further, the total energy used to produce all of the materials in a house has been calculated in some studies at less than 6% of the total energy consumed in the running of the house over its lifetime. Householders can make a much more substantial contribution to the environment through selecting good design, the thoughtful orientation of the building, and the use of building materials and insulation to conserve energy consumed by air conditioning or heating over the life cycle of the home. They can install solar power, and engage in waste recycling. They can minimise the impact of the building on a fragile hillside. On such sites the use of raised steel floors can minimise disturbance to the natural contours of the land and enable better management of stormwater run off. Storage of rainwater in tanks can contribute. Also, by using a steel frame and termite-resistant fittings the owner can do away with the ongoing use of chemicals for controlling termites.

No. Waves pass through the spaces between the studs, allowing the use of all household appliances without any interference.