Steel Frame vs Timber Frame Wood is easier for screwing/nailing into for shelves or pictures later on, or for

drilling holes to run new power or data cables. User #1 ! ! 1!"! posts #ic$ %&Shea Whirlpool 'nthusiast reference( whrl.pl/#c)*+W posted ,!11-.a/-10, ,(,1 pm #othschild writes... 2an an/one tell me the advantages/disadvantages of building a home with a steel frame3 + put this up from loo$ing at it for a previous pro4ect, but not from direct e5perience with the material... 6ros( - 7ighter to carr/ 8good for difficult access sites9 - :o need to plane walls at fi5ing stage - 2an cover greater spans than with timber - 2an be more creative in design 8curves etc9 as steel is easier to fabricate sections with - .ore weather resistant at frame stage - Supposedl/ more enviro friendl/ as it can be rec/cled - 2an &usuall/& be erected ;+< = + stress USU>77<? - Speed of construction = @uic$er than stic$ building, about the same as pre-fab frame though 2ons( - :ot 1!!A termite proof as people lead /ou to believe 8/ou still have plaster and other timber products in the house9 - .ore e5pensive than timber, but this can be recouped through smart design/greater spans/less material/speed of construction/ease of transport - 2an be difficult to change once onsite. Timber can easil/ be ad4usted to move windows B doors etc - 2an be nois/ when 4oints move - ;oes wonders for /our mobile phone B wi-fi reception - Caven&t confirmed this one, but fire can easil/ render the whole frame US due to heat - 2an be hard to find someone that $nows what the/ are doing with it = the/ usuall/ fall into two camps, those that thin$ steel is the onl/ answer, and those that thin$ its the devils wor$ - #esale. Steel frames can still be an un$nown @uantit/ with bu/ers at times - 2an be sub4ect to galvanic corrosion if not careful with other materials Steel has been around long enough in residential use now that it shouldn&t pose an/ issues with services li$e power B plumbing etc. + thin$ Woodchip is on the tools, might be worth whiming him to this thread for more accurate info3 avoid the problem of termites

>s above, not completel/. <ou&ll still most li$el/ have timber sheet floor in a raised subfloor, or plaster on a slab on ground. Termites can ma$e their wa/ around steel/concrete to get to timber if the/ want to. User #1!1!D! 0,E posts $$o Whirlpool Forums >ddict reference( whrl.pl/#c)*)> posted ,!11-.a/-10, ,( , pm Straighter walls3 .a/be if /ou are measuring with a micrometer, but there&s no reason timber framed walls to be less straight than steel. 6roperl/ specified and constructed, termites shouldn&t be a problem either. Timber even does better in a fire, because steel twists and warps. Timber has better acoustic properties too. What are the comparative costs now3 Timber used to be a lot cheaper. User #1 ! ! 1!"! posts #ic$ %&Shea Whirlpool 'nthusiast reference( whrl.pl/#c)*7e posted ,!11-.a/-10, ,( F pm #ic$ %&Shea writes... - Caven&t confirmed this one, but fire can easil/ render the whole frame US due to heat $$o writes... Timber even does better in a fire, because steel twists and warps. There&s m/ answer + guess? 2ommon sense would also suggest higher insurance premiums as a result of the potential costs to replace3 User # "D"! 1!!E posts databoom Whirlpool 'nthusiast reference( whrl.pl/#c)*GD posted ,!11-.a/-10, (!, pm #ic$ %&Shea writes... Caven&t confirmed this one, but fire can easil/ render the whole frame US due to heat had a big fire here a couple of /ears ago no problems with m/ steel frame but then + have double bric$ cladding, the roof 8steel9 had no adverse effects, and + must sa/ m/ shed 8part timber frame9 went caught fire ver/ @uic$l/ and was completel/ demolished, + would never build with a timber frame if there is bush an/where nearb/. User # ",10, 1,,E posts

115, D +n the penalt/ bo5 reference( whrl.pl/#c)!"m posted ,!11-.a/-10, E(F" pm edited ,!11-.a/-10, E(D0 pm + have a few few builder mates,their recommendation is to steer clear of steal framed houses. Steal e5pands in heat,its noise/ and can cause crac$ing at g/proc$ 4oints. >s mentioned in a repl/ above, if fire goes through, intense heat will warp and at e5treme melt frame, either wa/ frame will need replacing wether steal or timber. Steal does reduce termite invasition, there no lifetime rust proofing for steal so if /ou live b/ the sea, beware. User #D"!DE 11D posts Cammer : Tongs Whirlpool 'nthusiast reference( whrl.pl/#c)1wH posted ,!11-.a/-10, 0(1E pm 115, D writes... Steal e5pands in heat,its noise/ :ot in m/ steal frame house +m still waiting for this so called crea$ing :ot having to worr/ about termites .%nl/ wood we have is s$irting >ll walls have holes in noggins for passing cable through so no drilling Wood can also get rot , mold , twist , burn and mice chewing it $eeping /ou awa$e at night Tr/ doing this with a wood frame house http(//www./outube.com/watch3vISl>G%0s1,JH User # 11D , 1, posts :ephorsis 6articipant reference( whrl.pl/#c) g/ posted ,!11-.a/-1", 1!(1F am >n/one heard of F#6 8Fibre-reinforced pol/mer9 Frames before3 User # E10 F 1!10 posts Woodchip Whirlpool 'nthusiast reference( whrl.pl/#c) $e posted ,!11-.a/-1", 1!( ! am This is reall/ a no brainer. Steel ever/ time. it is strong light and lasts forever. There are a few things to consider with steel framed construction. /ou must ma$e sure that it is properl/ KarticulatedK or can move with e5pansion and /our electrical is a little more involved as /ou must earth all things to the steel framewor$. Lalvanic reaction needs to be ta$en into consideration but onl/ reall/ for things li$e /our plumbing pipes in copper and these da/s /ou will be hard pressed to find a plumber that does not use pol/ pipe s/stems. Steel houses do tal$ to /ou a bit with crea$ing and tic$ing but it is not a problem and part of the character of a house.

/ou can shelf load timber a little more than steel but onl/ if the walls are constructed without shelf loading as a factor. +f /ou have made allowance in the steel frame for loadings as per the manufacturers instructions then steel is still a winner. over time timber can shrin$ twist and dr/ rot and deteriorate. steel tends to last longer in the end but onl/ if its coatings have been maintained and an/ welding or the li$e is properl/ treated. +f + build an e5tension to m/ house it will be steel framed construction built properl/ to suit the materials. gu/s that build steel the same wa/ as timber will not li$e it as it has to be done a little differentl/ and /ou will get crac$s in plasterboard if /ou dont do it right, but as with an/thing the best material in the wrong application is useless. User #F!011, 11E posts %ld.anLriff 6articipant reference( whrl.pl/#c) ri posted ,!11-.a/-1", 1!(D1 am ./ parents built their retirement home steel framed several /ears ago in a small town rurall/. Mig open famil/ room/$itchen/dinning area roof framing was 4ust a marvel to loo$ at during construction. :o crea$ing or noise from the frame and +&ve spent plent/ of time in the house in all seasons hot and cold. Cow common are termite problems in wood framed houses an/wa/ considering the percentage of them3 The onl/ reason m/ olds went with steel was due to the floorplan design and building re@uirements. +n fact during construction the steel framing was the thing that went most correctl/? User #1!1!D! 0,E posts $$o Whirlpool Forums >ddict reference( whrl.pl/#c)FmT posted ,!11-.a/-1", ,(! pm Woodchip writes... This is reall/ a no brainer. + thin$ what /ou mean is, it&s /our preference. +f it reall/ was a no brainer, then timber framed construction would be dead. From where + sit, there are advantages on both sides, and timber seems to still win on cost. User # 1 F10 E!,! posts 4e4udo Whirlpool Forums >ddict reference( whrl.pl/#c)Fvi posted ,!11-.a/-1", ,(,D pm #ic$ %&Shea writes... 2ommon sense would also suggest higher insurance premiums as a result of the potential costs to replace3

+ don&t thin$ fire is a ma4or factor in insurance ris$ assessment these da/s. User #0!E11 1011 posts Leorge Whirlpool 'nthusiast reference( whrl.pl/#c)F:$ posted ,!11-.a/-1", (,! pm edited ,!11-.a/-1", ( pm $$o writes... +f it reall/ was a no brainer, then timber framed construction would be dead There are different groups of interest( 6eople that do it and people that use it. and timber seems to still win on cost. .ost probabl/ true on initial cost, but not cost effective even b/ 4ust for$ing out for @uite costl/ termite inspections. 8+t was mentioned few times, that in termite infested areas even E-monthl/ inspeciton might not be often enough9 ;efinitel/ not cost effective when termites move in, but this does not affect builder poc$et, does it3 User # !11ED 0E posts ghostgums Whirlpool 'nthusiast reference( whrl.pl/#c)F1G posted ,!11-.a/-1", (DE pm <ou need to ta$e care with a steel frame to avoid thermal bridging, which reduces insulation. + thin$ /ou need the frame to be at the temperature of the inside of the house, and insulated from the cladding. +&m not sure how /ou prevent thermal bridging at window frames. User #,,D1DF 1D0F posts redone, Whirlpool 'nthusiast reference( whrl.pl/#c)Dm' posted ,!11-.a/-1", F(D1 pm The @ualit/ of availabilit/ of timber especiall/ F11 structural grade is a problem at the moment. Tree huggers, bush fires etc have made it hard to get and ver/ e5pensive. Tried to bu/ Tas %a$ hardwood flooring last wee$. %nl/ available in random pac$s and ver/ poor @ualit/ to what was available onl/ a few /ears ago. User # 11!E! $averne " posts

6articipant reference( whrl.pl/#c)D2; posted ,!11-.a/-1", D(F1 pm We got a steel frame house and it&s reall/ not nois/ at all .... can&t ear an/thing special ... The fire problem is not a real one since it&s probabl/ true that high heat 8real high9 can harm steel, it can also harm badl/ wood 8an/one eared of coal N-9 9. +.% both are good and it&s reall/ a personnal choice. 2omming from europe + $now ver/ old houses in both wood and steel. So + guess if both are built and ta$en care off properl/ the/ are 4ust fine .... + would more consider the chemicals the/ use in wood to treat it that then slowl/ spread. Steel is most probabl/ poluting also but in the ma$ing process, once installed it&s over. User # D1 E F,,F posts fish/ Whirlpool Forums >ddict reference( whrl.pl/#c)")1 posted ,!11-.a/-,!, F(F, pm Were using wood for our e5tension. Steel needs dead on accurate measurements which are not so eas/ when doing an e5tension. We did use steel for main roofing beams though. The/ are smaller and stronger. User #0"11F ,E, posts mrmatt Forum #egular reference( whrl.pl/#c7c2o posted ,!11-.a/-,1, 1(,F pm ./ mother in laws house is built of &steel& frame. What struc$ me when the house was being constructed is the thic$ness of the steel. +ts @uiet thin and flims/ and wea$ until its screwed in. The same is true with all frame construction but the steel was might/ thin, and once the build is up /ou cant see the deference, but + decided that + would have timber frame if + was to have a house built. User #,,D1DF 1D0F posts redone, Whirlpool 'nthusiast reference( whrl.pl/#c7c'W posted ,!11-.a/-,1, 1(F! pm $averne writes... The fire problem is not a real one since it&s probabl/ true that high heat 8real high9 can harm steel, it can also harm badl/ wood 8an/one eared of coal N-9 9. Steel is good up to DF!2 and then it losses structural integrit/ and goes to 4ell/.

The metal gang nails get hot and burn the pine on a current wood frame. The/ then fall out and the whole lot collapses. +f /ou are in a bushfire area then landscaping with earth barriers that spoil the view and the position of the house is more important than the fire rating of the building or what it is built from. User #11,0E" F" posts wrangerdang Forum #egular reference( whrl.pl/#c7dJc posted ,!11-.a/-,1, 0(," pm We constructed a new house in ;oubleview, W> about /ears ago. Steel frame with a colourbond roof. %ur construction manager said to go with timber as timber is more consistent in its behaviour during a fire but we went with steel an/wa/s. ;oubleview is $nown for its terrible reception, however in the course of living there + was with Three, %ptus and then Telstra and had to go outside to ma$e a call on m/ mobile. >nd even then with all the metal surrounding it was still dropping in an out. 2ompletel/ regreted the steel roof after that. .oved to an old timber 1"F!s house in .ount Cawthorn 8granted probabl/ a better reception area9 but no issue and full bars with Telstra on mobile. User #F1,110 E!!! posts #othschild Whirlpool Forums >ddict reference( whrl.pl/#c7d*D posted ,!11-.a/-,1, 0(FE pm %.6. Than$s ever/one for /our opinions. + thin$ +&ll go steel frame with m/ ne5t construction pro4ect. User #,E,D0E ,"!" posts O;:SWF1 Whirlpool Forums >ddict reference( whrl.pl/#c7dDd posted ,!11-.a/-,1, "(1D pm + have been living for si5teen /ears now in a steel house we built ourselves from a $it. .ainl/ because of termites, + would not even thin$ of an/thing else in this area. 2ertainl/ the/ can attac$ wood trim etc in a steel house, but the house is not going to fall down round /our ears? The fact that it is steel has caused no problems at all, and none are anticipated. Steel framed houses have been around for man/ /ears = the first one + saw being built was in the late 1"F!s, or possibl/ earl/ 1"D!s = the bus went past it on the wa/ to and from school each da/.

User #1,1111 10 1 posts d4!!1 Whirlpool 'nthusiast reference( whrl.pl/#c7egH posted ,!11-.a/-,1, 1!(10 pm ghostgums writes... <ou need to ta$e care with a steel frame to avoid thermal bridging, which reduces insulation. Lood post. >n issue man/ do not consider. + was thin$ing building with OL )ing and this was one of the ma4or issues = and their displa/ house was showing it. With the aircon on, their house was still ver/ hot, where the sales person was swetting li$e a pig. 7oo$ed into the thermal bridging, 4ust went timber in the end. User #F1F01D 1, posts mensuri 6articipant reference( whrl.pl/#c7m0F posted ,!11-.a/-,F, F(DD am currentl/ doing the owner builder thing with steel frame. /es its more e5pensive but its easier for me to construct and i have minimal waste because /ou can 4oin steel pieces together. +ts lighter and easier to move, that said, /ou cant 4ust cut it with a saw (9 so get read/ to go through a couple of metal cutting blades or get /ourself a good pare of tin snips. its also cheaper than treated pine. for the thermal bridging = that reall/ depends on /our cladding, if /ou are going colourbond walls for e5ample then /es it can be a concern, but there is a rubber lining product to insulate between the cladding and the framing. +&ve heard of some 4ust using the sar$ing but im not so sure on that. User #D"!DE 11D posts Cammer : Tongs Whirlpool 'nthusiast reference( whrl.pl/#c7@h# posted ,!11-.a/-,F, 0(1F pm mensuri writes... there is a rubber lining product to insulate between the cladding and the framing Tr/ this stuff Sisalation http(//www.sisalation.com/range.htm User #1," DE 1!D! posts

OunctionMo5 Whirlpool Forums >ddict reference( whrl.pl/#c7@Ge posted ,!11-.a/-,F, 1!( , pm redone, writes... Tried to bu/ Tas %a$ hardwood flooring last wee$. %nl/ available in random pac$s and ver/ poor @ualit/ to what was available onl/ a few /ears ago. that&s because some of the nations best plantations of tassie oa$ 8euc regnans were burn&t out in the recent Gic bushfires and it could be half a lifetime before the/ get bac$ to full crops again. :SW spotted gum ma$es a nice floor though? User # "01,1 1, posts ;an2ampbell 6articipant reference( whrl.pl/#c7LeE posted ,!11-.a/-,1, E( 1 pm We purchased a Steel framed pole home last /ear 8originall/ a $it home assembled b/ the previous owned in 1"0"9 = and have had no problems at all with noise or distortions in the frame. When we were loo$ing at houses we loo$ed at a number of timber framed pole homes, all of them crea$ed an wobbled when inside, in one the floor was sagging = ver/ happ/ with the steel frame as it is reall/ solid and showing no signs of age. User #1,1111 10 1 posts d4!!1 Whirlpool 'nthusiast reference( whrl.pl/#c7Lh< posted ,!11-.a/-,1, E(F0 pm ;an2ampbell writes... all of them crea$ed an wobbled when inside, in one the floor was sagging = ver/ When + loo$ed at steel framed homes, the actual steel frame is 4ust that, a frame, and is b/ no means a FD5"! solid bit on metal. %ne can easil/ bow the metal b/ hand, however the strength is vertical. This opposed to solid FD5"! timber pine, + thin$ the pine would win. User #F1"D,1 1 posts whatblac$ +&m new here, please be nice reference( whrl.pl/#d5F4G posted ,!1 ->pr- , ,(1! pm <our thoughts are ver/ useful. + used to be a welder on steel frame houses in the 0!&s and +&m actuall/ loo$ing at building an e5tension to m/ house now and thin$ing about doing the frame in steel. + might be able to even set up a 4ig and assemble the frames m/self as a cost saver. Cow do /ou articulate the frame so it can move and not crac$ the g/proc$ etc3 Than$s

User #DE,D1, 1 posts ;r2helsea +&m new here, please be nice reference( whrl.pl/#dPi)/ posted ,!1 ->pr-, , 1( E am + am in %ntario, 2anada, and the two biggest problems with steel framed residential housing right now are( 1. Finding contractors to do it. 8there is a large conspirac/ going on against steel framing b/ the lumber industr/9 ,. +f /ou build it, don&t tr/ to sell it. Was 4ust at an open house for a residential propert/ that was steel framing and bu/ers were tal$ing to their agents sa/ing KSteel framing no wa/.K. %nce again simple fear, uncertainl/ and doubt b/ the lumber industr/. So the realit/ is doesn&t matter how great that electric car is, the people from %6'2 will figure out a wa/ to $eep /ou from bu/ing one (9 User #DEF,,, , posts globalman +&m new here, please be nice reference( whrl.pl/#dP6b' posted ,!1 -.a/-1, F( 1 pm What is the difference between 6ic$ing up a screw gun and placing a screw in the wall and pic$ing up a hammer and placing a nail... Ultimatel/ it is much easier to remove the Screw than the nail ... i thin$ the comparison is a wea$ argument. User #1 D011 F1 posts SU#FnTU#F Forum #egular reference( whrl.pl/#dP67m posted ,!1 -.a/-1, 1(!1 pm ;rive a screw into a steel stud and then hang something on it li$e a print or painting and /ou will see the screw star to angle down.Steel frames are ver/ thin walled and has no material surrounding the screw threads ,Timber doesn&t suffer from this and is rigid in both directions. Timber for me an/ da/.