- We will BEAT any written quote*
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Timber frame or Steel frame
You be the Judge
Here are the comparisons
1. White Ant Treatment
The cost to white ant treat a timber or steel framed home is exactly the same that is if it cost you $400 to treat a timber frame home it will cost you $400 to treat a steel framed home, just because your frames are steel you still have timber floors, kitchen, window liners, skirting, built in furniture etc. etc. that all have to be protected from white ants.
2. Heat
The thermal transfer of heat is greater on steel frame houses than in timber this means that giving the same amount of insulation and air conditioning on both houses your timber framed home will be cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter saving you money on your energy bills. ( The same thermal transfer happens when you leave a wooden and a metal spoon in a saucepan of boiling water , we all know what happens when you pick them both up one of them is much hotter than the other )
3. Creaking
The high expansion rate of steel compared to the other building materials results in movement between the surfaces which is commonly called creaking, this is a common problem with steel framed homes, and needs to be considered as in our changing weather conditions it can become an annoying problem. If you are told that this is not a problem then have a " No creaking clause " put into your building contract.
4. Fire
As quoted from Mr Llewellyn of the Timber Development association " steel loses strength rapidly on exposure to the heat, whereas timber chars and continues to carry load until fire damage is well advanced " this means that although the steel does not burn it is quicker to deform and will collapse quicker.
5. Rust
Steel sub frames and chassis if in an area by the coast are subject to rust if they are not hot dipped galvanized, it also must be noted that in building your home in certain
coastal areas will void your steel frame warranty you must obtain a written warranty for your home noting your site if you are within 300 mtrs of the seafront.
6. Environment
Pine timber framing is an environmentally friendly renewable resource which is grown and harvested from plantations whereas steel consumes energy to manufacturer and is non renewable.
7. Finally
There is a lot of claims and misconceptions in regards to steel framing especially in the area of white ants etc. so if you are told that your home will not require white ant treatment have them give you a guarantee in writing as I am sure they wont.
* We will beat any written quote based on a genuine quote substituting an equivalent home from our 1000 plus layouts ( we reserve the right to determine genuine )