Lightweight, durable and precise
The next generation of construction material in Australia — light gauge steel.
Every project is unique and has a different set of requirements and constraints. With environmental, maintenance, longevity and cost factors to consider, is light steel the right material for you?
We will discuss some of the best advantages of using light gauge steel below.
Steel is robust.
Steel has a very high strength to weight ratio among other building materials, including concrete. With superior tensile and shear strength, steel has excellent resistance to compressive and flexural stress. Compared to timber, steel will not bow or warp over time — your construction will maintain its straight lines and finishes for many years to come. Steel frame kit constructions also have less movement as they are constructed with fixed brackets, screws and bolts, resulting in a structurally solid building.
Steel is durable.
Steel stands favourably against moisture, rot, termites, borers, and even natural disasters such as earthquakes, fires, flooding and cyclones. With built-in corrosion protective coatings made of aluminium, zinc and magnesium alloy, light gauge steel frames are defended against rust. The coating must meet the requirements of the relevant Australian Standard (AS 1397), and is monitored strictly under precise manufacturing conditions by the major steel suppliers.
By nature, steel does not warp, crack, shrink or twist unlike timber. Having an extremely long lifespan, steel requires little maintenance to keep it in top condition. This means in the long run, you won’t have to worry as much about the costs associated with potential repair or replacement works.
Steel is lightweight.
Our light gauge steel is cold formed, which creates long, thin sheets that are cut into sections with ‘C’ profiles typically ranging from 0.55-1.20mm in thickness. Being lightweight, it is much easier to lift than other materials. This minimises the number of factory and construction labour as well as time required to transport and install. The exceptional strength and lightweight qualities of steel frame also enable it to hold a heavier load while using less material, resulting in impact reduction on the site as it doesn’t need to be cut as deep into the ground as other materials.
Steel is versatile.
Steel can be fabricated into various shapes and structures while maintaining its strength. With steel framing, architects and designers can create more complex designs and configurations, enabling more creative building styles and layouts to be designed that are not possible with other materials. Suitable for both external and internal applications, steel framing makes extension and renovation jobs easier and faster to complete.
By nature, steel does not warp, crack, shrink or twist. Having an extremely long lifespan, steel requires little maintenance to keep it in top condition. This means in the long run, you won’t have to worry as much about the costs associated with potential repair or replacement works.
Steel is more environmentally sustainable.
With a made-to-order production system, we have the ability to manufacture steel frames with accuracy as each piece is cut to size, minimising waste on site and reducing overall environmental impact of the project. All unused offcuts can be repurposed and recycled. Between 2016 and 2017, more than 6.7MT of construction waste went into landfills across Australia. As the world's most recycled material, using steel minimises this issue, as it can continue to be recycled infinitely with no degradation.
Being a strong lightweight material, steel framing an average size house could use the equivalent of metal from six scrapped cars — while timber frame would need 40-50 mature trees! Clearly, steel is a better and more environmentally sustainable material compared to timber that requires the felling of trees that take decades to grow.
Unable to shrink and crack, steel framing also prevents air leaks which aids in energy efficiency. Easily insulated, it also results in lower energy usage and lower carbon emission.
Steel is fast to construct.
Once the design is approved, our cold formed steel is fast to manufacture through our advanced Scottsdale fabrication system. Quick to assemble, steel frames are easy to transport and install as they don’t need complex tools on site. With pre-punched studs in the panels, other trades can also complete their job faster, such as plumbing and electrical wiring. On average, construction times are 50% faster with steel frames than with timber and concrete.
Steel is efficient.
With traditional methods, there are always factors that can cause delays to the project such as having to coordinate multiple tradies to complete their part of the build in succession. With us, most aspects of your building project can be managed in-house by our experienced team, ensuring a smooth and safe delivery for your projects from start to finish.
Your steel frames can be pre-fabricated and delivered directly to your site, ready to assemble in a quick timeframe. No time is wasted on site to straighten or plane walls, as steel frames are lightweight and straight. In overall, steel framing brings time and cost efficiency to your project with great accuracy.
Steel is safer.
Steel is non-combustible, reducing fatal fire risk in case of emergencies. In a timber frame house, fires are often started by electrical faults that ignite a timber stud or truss and then spread rapidly to the rest of the house. In contrast, steel frames cannot be ignited, denying the fire the chance to start in the first place.
In a fire, steel structures do not burn but may lose some of its stability risking collapse — however, this could only happen in extreme situations, and can be mitigated by installing the proper cladding. As it does not burn, it will not release toxic gas into the air, unlike timber. CSIRO’s Building Research Division state that using steel wall frames and steel ceiling trusses make a house highly resistant to fire. Also, fire certifications are typically faster to approve when using steel frames compared to timber.
As with any material, there are downsides to steel that you may need to consider. There are also some misconceptions about light steel frame that we need to address.
Ultimately, we want to work with you to make the smartest choices to achieve your construction goals.
Still have questions? Contact us to chat about your project.
Other things to consider
Heat insulation
Steel has higher thermal conductivity compared to other materials. In able to retain energy efficiently, good wall insulation must be used which may add to construction cost. However, the process of adding insulation to steel frames is generally easy and will prove to be a good investment in the long run.
Noise
A common myth about steel frame homes, research done by CSIRO actually found no reports of noise coming from steel framing. In fact, some residents reported that their previous timber framed house caused more noise than their steel frame. Typically, this noise comes from the colourbond or tin roof as it expands or contracts during the day while it receives heat from the sun — but this noise will be the same regardless of the frame material.
Cost
In the past, the raw material cost of steel may have cost more than timber. However, as steel gains more popularity in Australia and builders realise the longevity value of steel, the price is comparable in today’s market. Compared to timber, steel does not require further treatment with pesticides and chemicals for pests prevention.
Prefabrication of steel frames also means reduced labour costs, both in the factory and onsite, and the cost savings continue for many years to come with minimal maintenance required. This provides even further long term benefits for your investment. Additionally, steel production takes fewer resources, adding to the many environmental advantages as we have outlined above. Compared to concrete, steel frames are cheaper to produce and construct.
Light gauge steel is the perfect construction material for your next building project.
With prices of goods rising globally, it is more important than ever to make sound financial decisions that will benefit you in the long run. Buildings cost a lot to maintain over the years, and the value is determined by how well it performs after it is built. With light steel, you won’t have to worry about massive spendings on structural maintenance, termite treatments, insurance premiums and weather damage mitigation. Light steel frame saves you money in the long run.
With 15 billion trees felled every year (a significant portion of which goes to provide for construction materials), and climate change becomes an ever-pressing issue facing us all — it is time to turn to the more responsible alternative. Clearly, steel is a better, more environmentally sustainable option we all need to consider for the future of construction in Australia.
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