Steel Frame vs Timber Frame

8/14/2019 Steel Frame vs Timber Frame

1/10

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, ( pm

othschild writes...

2an anone 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 thematerial...

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 reccled

- 2an &usuall& be erected ;+< = + stress USU>77


2/10

>s above, not completel. ddict

reference( whrl.pl/c)*)>


Straighter walls3 abe 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


reference( whrl.pl/c)*7e


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 'nthusiastreference( whrl.pl/c)*GD

posted !11-a-10, (! pm


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 anwhere nearb.

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3/10

115D

+n the penalt bo5

reference( whrl.pl/c)!"m

posted !11-a-10, E(" 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$ing at gproc$ 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 D posts

Cammer : Tongs


reference( whrl.pl/c)1wH

posted !11-a-10, 0(1E pm

115D 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%0sJH

User #1D 1 posts

:ephorsis

6articipant

reference( whrl.pl/c)g

posted !11-a-1", 1!(1 am

>none heard of F6 8Fibre-reinforced polmer9 Frames before3

User #E0 1!0 posts

WoodchipWhirlpool '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 das ou

will be hard pressed to find a plumber that does not use pol pipe sstems.

Steel houses do tal$ to ou a bit with crea$ing and tic$ing but it is not a problem and part ofthe character of a house.
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4/10

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 suitthe materials. gus 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

anthing the best material in the wrong application is useless.

User #!01 11E posts

%ldanLriff

6articipant

reference( whrl.pl/c)ri

posted !11-a-1", 1!(D 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 anwa 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!!D! 0E posts

$$o

Whirlpool Forums >ddict

reference( whrl.pl/c)mT

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 #110 E!! posts

4e4udo


reference( whrl.pl/c)vi

posted !11-a-1", (D pm


2ommon sense would also suggest higher insurance premiums as a result of the potentialcosts to replace3
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5/10

+ don&t thin$ fire is a ma4or factor in insurance ris$ assessment these das.

User #0!E11 10 posts

Leorge


reference( whrl.pl/c):$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


reference( whrl.pl/c)1G

posted !11-a-1", (DE pm


6/10

6articipant

reference( whrl.pl/c)D2;

posted !11-a-1", D( pm

We got a steel frame house and it&s reall not nois at all .... can&t ear anthing 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 8anone 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 #DE postsfish


reference( whrl.pl/c)")1

posted !11-a-!, ( 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" E posts

mrmatt

Forum egular

reference( whrl.pl/c7c2o

posted !11-a-1, 1( 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 #D1D 1D0 posts

redone


reference( whrl.pl/c7c'W

posted !11-a-1, 1(! 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 8anone eared of coal N-9 9.Steel is good up to D!2 and then it losses structural integrit and goes to 4ell.
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7/10

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 #10E" " 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 anwas.

;oubleview is $nown for its terrible reception, however in the course of living there + waswith Three, %ptus and then Telstra and had to go outside to ma$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"!s house in ount Cawthorn 8granted probabl a better reception

area9 but no issue and full bars with Telstra on mobile.

User #10 E!!! posts

othschild


reference( whrl.pl/c7d*D

posted !11-a-1, 0(E pm

%.6.

Than$s everone for our opinions. + thin$ +&ll go steel frame with m ne5t construction

pro4ect.

User #ED0E "!" posts

O;:SW1


reference( whrl.pl/c7dDdposted !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 anthing 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"!s, or possibl earl 1"D!s = the bus went past it on the wa to and from school

each da.
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8/10

User #1 101 posts

d4!!


reference( whrl.pl/c7egH

posted !11-a-1, 1!(10 pm

ghostgums writes...

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 #101D posts

mensuri6articipant

reference( whrl.pl/c7m0F

posted !11-a-, (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 D posts

Cammer : Tongs

Whirlpool 'nthusiastreference( whrl.pl/c7@h

posted !11-a-, 0(1 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

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9/10

OunctionMo5


reference( whrl.pl/c7@Ge

posted !11-a-, 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 regnanswere 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 posts

;an2ampbell

6articipant

reference( whrl.pl/c7LeEposted !11-a-, E( 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 #1 101 posts

d4!!


reference( whrl.pl/c7Lh


10/10

User #DED 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 industr9

. +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 buers were tal$ing to their agents saing 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 figureout a wa to $eep ou from buing one (9

User #DE posts

globalman

+&m new here, please be nice

reference( whrl.pl/dP6b'

posted !1-a-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 #1D01 1 posts

SUFnTUF

Forum egular

reference( whrl.pl/dP67m

posted !1-a-1, (! pm

;rive a screw into a steel stud and then hang something on it li$e a print or painting and ouwill 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.
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Steel Frame vs Timber Frame