From the ground up, the house frame is more than just another stage in the building process; it's the backbone that keeps everything together. Building a new home for your family is a big investment of time and money, and you only get one chance to build it right. But which is best – timber vs steel frame? This article will explore the benefits of building with steel frames and how they compare against timber.
How Do Steel Framed Homes Improve on Timber Homes?
Before you choose the windows and blinds or the doors and floors, your first choice when building a home is the one thing that truly supports the whole house: the frame. Timber frames were the most common way to build houses for the longest time, but nowadays, more and more Queensland homebuilders are choosing steel frames for their homes. Check out why below!
Inner Strength and Durability = Longevity
Building your dream home is the biggest expense you will experience, and steel frames have the inner strength and durability to protect your investment for years to come. While timber is designed to last, they run the risk of rotting over time, but steel homes provide enhanced corrosion resistance for a longer-lasting home.
Straight and True, Always
The inner strength and durability of steel also ensures your house frame will remain straight and true now and into the future. Excessive moisture and high humidity levels can lead to warping in timber frames, but this is not the case with steel, which won’t shrink, twist or warp over time, meaning less chance of sticking windows, jammed doors and wavy roof lines. How it is built is how it will stay.
Impressive Strength-to-Weight Ratio
The impressive strength-to-weight ratio of steel frames make them an ideal choice for contemporary home designs. Wide spans, open-plan living spaces and architectural roof lines are all possible thanks to the versatility of these distinctive frames that will help bring your dream design to life. Steel frames are also prefabricated and dimensionally accurate, resulting in a home with strong lines and a beautiful finish.
Termite and Insecticide Free
Termites and borers are a big problem in Australia, but with steel frames, you will build a 100% termite and borer-proof home. Unlike timber, steel is not treated with insecticides to keep termites from eating your frames and damaging the structural integrity of your home or exposing it to harmful chemicals. Building with steel frames means you and your family can rest easy knowing that your home is built to keep out these unwelcome visitors.
Won't Catch Fire
Another major benefit of a steel frame house is that steel frames won’t catch fire and will even help you meet the standards required for building in severely rated flame zones. Compared to timber houses, your home will be framed by non-combustible steel, offering safety and peace of mind for the whole family.
Building Your Home with TRUECORE® Steel Frames
When you build with Brighton Homes, you can be assured that your new home will be built to last with BlueScope's TRUECORE® steel framing. Included in all Studio, Gallery and Elwood Collections, TRUECORE® steel is designed with modern Australian family living in mind. Here's a quick recap of why being a TRUECORE® Steel builder means a beautifully finished home for you and your family:
- Inner strength and durability, which means your frames will remain straight and true for years to come
- The impressive strength-to-weight ratio can fit contemporary design trends
- Won’t shrink, twist or warp over time, so there’s less chance of sticking windows, jammed doors, and wavy rooflines
- Not treated with insecticides or pesticides and won't catch fire or contribute to the spread of house fire
- For eligible applicants, TRUECORE® steel is backed by a reassuring 50-year warranty* from BlueScope.
- Made to all relevant Australian Standards and rigorously checked for quality and consistency.
*Warranty currently offered for residential applications only and is subject to application and eligibility criteria. For full terms and conditions and to determine the eligibility of your building for a warranty, visit BlueScope Steel.
Enjoyed this article about timber vs steel frames and want to enjoy the benefits of a TRUECORE® steel frame house? A knockdown rebuild with Brighton Homes is the best way to get a beautifully finished home that is built to last on your existing property. To learn more about our knockdown and rebuild process, get in touch with our friendly team online or call 1300 893 788.
