COMMON QUESTIONS ANSWERED

Q.      WHAT MAKES BLUESCOPE LYSAGHT TRUECORE SYSTEMS UNIQUE?

A.         We at Illawarra Steel Frame Homes choose to use TRUECORE steel in our Kit Homes because it is by far the most advanced in the world. Supported by Cad detailing software which models the geometry, designs the wall frames and roof trusses and facilitates manufacture to extremely accurate tolerances making for highest quality finish and ease of construction.

Q.      WHY DO PEOPLE DECIDE TO BUILD WITH STEEL?

A.         Steel is a superior product for long term investment, with the added advantages of being light, strong, straight, non-combustible, termite and borer proof and will not shrink or warp.  Steel framing has the durability and the structural integrity to easily outlive the life of your building. In any other industry if strength and integrity is required they use STEEL. It is perfect product for frame work.

Q.      WHO CAN ERECT A STEEL FRAME?

A.         Any builder or Owner-builder can erect an ILLAWARRA STEEL FRAME HOME.  The lightweight panels (one-third the weight of timber) are easily handled and clearly labelled for site erection. Roof trusses are also labelled and easily secured to support walls.  Ceiling and roof battens are easily fixed to the trusses.

Q.      HOW DOES STEEL FRAMING ALLOW FOR THE FOLLOW-ON TRADES?

A.         The studs and plates have pre-punched holes to facilitate easy cable and plumbing installation. Grommets are fitted to protect the cable sheathing and to isolate copper pipes from frame.  This system also resists water hammer noise.  The move to lighter gauge steel and boxed stud sections in the frame allows for new nailing techniques or needle point screws.  Bricklayers will install the brick ties by simply clipping them into the stud.

Q. ARE STEEL FRAMES NOISY?

A.         All wall framing materials are susceptible to noise.  This is caused by expansion and contraction induced by thermal, humidity or general aging/weathering effects. These dimensional changes in building components release stored energies by generating noise.  Steel framing is only susceptible to thermal changes, which is a slow process within the wall and roof cavity over the period of a day. Hence should be less noisy than other conventional building materials.

Q.      DOES THE EXPANSION AND CONTRACTION RATE OF STEEL AFFECT PLASTERBOARD?

A.         Steel possesses a compatible expansion coefficient with that of plasterboard, thereby minimising the incidence of cracking.

 Q.      WILL STEEL FRAMES RUST, ESPECIALLY ON CUT EDGES AND DRILLED HOLES?

A.         TrueCore steel is made from zinc and aluminium alloy coated steels which are protected from cut-edge corrosion by galvanic action, where the coating adjacent to the edge or holes protects the cut area.

Q. IS STEEL FRAMING SAFTER THAN TIMBER WHEN EXPOSED TO AN ELECTRICAL

          LIVE WIRE?

A.         Yes!  Since contact with steel by a wire will create a short and trip your circuit breaker or safety switch, there is little chance of you touching anything live.  A broken or pierced wire in a timber frame can remain alive and leakage current can cause troublesome faults and common cause of fire.

Q. DOES LIGHTNING STRIKE AFFECT A STEEL FRAME MORE THAN A TIMBER FRAME?

A.         No!  Because the steel creates a positive earth, the lightning has less affect.  The energy  is allowed to be transferred straight to the ground, and is not dissipated destructively as in conventional framing or cladding.

Q. WILL AN ILLAWARRA STEEL FRAME HOME BE APPROVED BY COUNCIL AND

          LENDING AUTHORITIES?

A.         Yes!  As a licensed manufacturer of the SUPRAFRAME BOXED STUD and SUPRATRUSS systems, ILLAWARRA STEEL FRAME HOMES will supply engineered specifications to assist in compliance with Council requirements and our framing systems are designed to comply with all relevant Australian Standards.

Q. CAN I ADD TO THE HOME AT A LATER DATE?

A.         Yes!  Because of the unique assembly system, additions are relatively simple and present no problems.  Furthermore, the original steel structure will be perfectly

straight and true regardless of its age, making the job of lining up the extension much easier than with conventional framing.

Q. WILL AN ILLAWARRA STEEL FRAME HOME LOOK DIFFERENT?

A.         Yes - they look better!  On the outside the overall finish will have whatever look you want it to have.  But on closer inspection you will see that walls, ceiling and roofs do not have ripples or bumps, no sagging roof lines,  no “nail pops” in the plasterboard and no shrinkage problems in intermediate floor joists.   This is because steel framing is exacting in dimensions making it straight and true.

Q. HAVE STEEL FRAME HOMES BEEN PROVEN OVER TIME?

A.         In Australia steel framing has been used since the 1950’s.  Initially, welded systems were used, but since then we have progressed through a number of stages including tab and slot, clinched fixings to today’s lightweight, systems.