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FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I convert my plan from wood to steel?
- Yes.
Plans for wood can easily be converted to Impact steel frames because the dimensions are same. We can quote on your plans drawn in timber.
Does a steel frame house look any different?
- Absolutely not.
You can apply the same interior and exterior cladding materials as a wood frame home. However, you get a superior product. And yes, you can hang pictures in Gib board into a steel stud using standard fine point screws.
Will the steel frame interfere with radios, phones, or TV reception?
- No.
Waves pass trhough the space between studs allowing the use of all of the radios. Phones and television sets in your home.
Will my sub-trades be happy working with it?
- Steel-framing is easy for sub-trades to work with, in fact after two or three homes most builders and sub-trades are sold on it. Frames are pre-punched with service holes, and creating new service holes is also simple.
Can a house plan be converted from timber to steel?
- If house plans are already drawn for timber-framing, it's relatively easy to make the switch to steel. You may be surprised just how competitive it can be, and the additional benefits of steel make it an even more attractive option.
Do I (or my sub-trades) have to erect the frames ourselves?
- Steel-frame fabricators are happy to provide advice and support for your builders and some offer a service to supply and stand frames, depending on where you're building.
Will there be any issues getting a building consent?
- Building Consent Authorities are becoming increasingly familiar with consenting plans for steel-framed homes. Your fabricator will supply fully engineered detail drawings for your consent application. What's more, the National Association of Steel-Framed Housing (NASH) also provides support and training for building officials.
How are cladding and linings fixed?
- Steel-framing enables you to apply exactly the same interior and exterior finishes as timber-framed homes. Gypsum board linings are glued and screwed to the frame. Thermal breaks are fixed to the exterior face of frames before building wrap is applied and cladding fixed.
When the weather changes, does steel contract and expand like timber?
- Steel is relatively stable with a coefficient of linear expansion of 11.7 x 10-6 per degree Celsius, which equates to just 0.012mm per lineal metre of expansion for every degree Celsius change in temperature. Steel does not absorb moisture, therefore no dimensional change occurs as a result of variations in moisture levels.
If Axxis® Steel is cut or drilled, will it rust?
- Axxis® Steel for Framing is made from galvanised steel. The zinc coating protects cut edges and penetrations from corrosion through sacrificial protection. New Zealand Steel provides a 50-year Durability Statement to meet the requirements of NZBC Clause B2-Durability for houses built within specification.
How easy is it for me to erect the frames myself?
- It's very straightforward. Suppliers can deliver the frames pre-assembled and clearly marked for assembly with the type, positioning and number of all fixings also identified.
Is steel slower or faster to work with?
- Altogether working with steel can be faster. Frames and trusses are usually supplied pre-assembled and ready to erect, and some fabricators provide a supply and install service. Steel-frames are light and easy to move (approx 1/3 the weight of timber) and erecting steel is not so weather dependent. Steel-framing causes less maintenance problems so builders report less downtime from call-backs.
Will it be difficult to create service holes for pipes, wires and other services?
- Axxis® Steel for Framing is sub-trade friendly. Service-holes are pre-punched and have plastic grommets to protect cable sheathing. Additional service holes are easily drilled or can be cleanly made (no swarf) with a stud punch.
How should I fix interior linings?
- Wall linings are screw-fixed in accordance with manufacturer's specifications. The NASH Technical Bulletin ND-07 provides guidelines on fixing wall and ceiling linings (see www.nashnz.org.nz). Axxis® Steel for Framing has a similar expansion coefficient to gypsum plasterboard, minimising the incidence of cracking. It's already common practice to fix ceiling linings to steel ceiling battens.
Is it electrically safe?
- Yes! Standard practice is to earth steel-frames, so if they are exposed to a live-wire the earthing creates a short and trips the residual current safety switch to reduce the chance of electrocution. In fact, steel-framing offers better protection in a lightning storm, as, if struck, the charge will be redirected to the ground, reducing the likelihood of fire or injury.
What tools do I need?
- Steel-framing requires few specialist tools. There is no need for any welding equipment. To make it easy to work with steel-framing you'll need a good quality pair of aviation snips (left cut - red handle, right cut - green handle), a cordless impact driver with a selection of bits including 150mm bits for screwing into deep corners and a hole saw (34mm) to make any additional service holes. Alternatively, a 34mm stud punch can be used to cleanly create service holes without sharp edges or any swarf.
Steel frames provide you with peace of mind:
No more worries about wall buckling or cracks appearing with changes in temperature or moisture.
No more waiting for treated timber frames to dry during your construction process.
Reduce the risk of fire
Please feel free to contact us to learn more about steel framing.