It’s impossible to tell the difference between a steel framed home and a timber home – until you live in one!

• In your Steelbuilt Home, your doors won’t jam, your windows won’t stick, and walls and cornices will never crack - because steel frames and trusses can’t twist or shrink. They’ll keep your walls perfectly straight year after year.
  
• You’ll never have to worry about termites – an eternal problem eliminated!
  
• Steel cannot burn – adding no further fuel to a home fire.
  
• Steel is much safer in severe weather conditions - and has greater earthing qualities that give you more protection during electrical storms.
  
• Steel is light to lift and carry – easily handled by either builder or customer and erected very quickly on site.
  
• And importantly, steel is friendly to the environment, its use protecting our vital natural resources.

Steel simply outperforms any other type of building structure.

Frequently asked questions

Q) How does the price of steel framing compare with timber?

A) Very competitively! As timber is becoming shorter in supply, steel framing is becoming cheaper.

Q) Have these homes been proven over time?

A) In Australia, steel framing has been used in housing since the 1950's and would take up to 15% of the housing market in Australia today. Initially, welded systems were used but alternative systems have appeared in recent times. New methods and today's framing represents years of research and development.

Q) Can Steelbuilt frames be erected by the customer?

A) Yes - we supply everything you need, clearly labelled for easy assembly. Each component is computer accurate, with locating dimples that allow all parts to be quickly clicked into place with absolute precision.

Electrical and plumbing service holes are prepunched...

Roof trusses are labelled and easily secured to the wall frames...

Ceiling and roof battens are just as easily fixed to the trusses...

And you need no special tools or skills - with panels light enough to be handled by just two people (including a husband and wife.)

You also get a comprehensive manual and ‘on-call’ advice.

Q) Can I add to the frame at a later stage?

A) Yes! Because of the unique assembly system, additions are relatively simple and present no problems. Furthermore, the original steel structure will still be perfectly straight and true regardless of its age, making the job of lining up the extension much easier.

Q) How much flexibility do I have regarding design?

A) With Steelbuilt Systems, there’s no limit to the kind of architectural style you can have. In fact, building with steel’s greater strength gives you real freedom of choice.

Q) Can I build on a timber or concrete floor?

A) Our Steelbuilt System is compatible with all standard materials, so yes, you can build on both timber and concrete.

Q) Will the council and my lending institution approve of a steel framed home?

A) Yes – in fact, you’ll find it easier to gain approvals because of steel’s proven ability to outperform any other type of building structure.

Q) Will a steel framed home look different?

A) Yes - they look better! Walls, ceilings and roof do not have ripples or bumps in them when placed on a flat level surface. There are no 'nail pops' or peaks in your plasterboard walls and no shrinkage i.e. doors and windows jamming and no sagging in roof.

Q) Do you supply kit homes?

A) Yes – we supply everything you need, starting with precision engineered frames to ensure trouble free assembly. Our customers find it takes just 2 to 3 days to erect the wall frames and roof trusses for the average home.

Q) What cladding and linings can be used?

A) You can use any exterior cladding currently available on the market, including Koolwall, solid plaster, timber, weatherboards, bricks, bricklite and all Hardies products

Q) Screws and/or nails?

A) There is an extensive range of self-drilling self-tapping screws - each suited to and in some cases specifically designed for the different types of claddings. Many of these screws have small 'wings' near the drill point which ream an oversize hole in the softer material then break off.
All types of materials can quickly and easily be fixed with self counter-sinking or self-embedding heads.

Q) What is the life expectancy of steel?

A) Because galvanised long life steel frames will always remain strong and true, will never be eaten by termites, and are backed by a 75 year performance statement from Bluescope, steel is proving to be the most durable of building materials.

Steel framing fulfils the 50 year durability requirements of the Building Act. Steel frames are protected from corrosion by a galvanised coating which complies with all building standards.

Q) Are steel frame homes cheaper to insure?

A) Many insurance companies now offer lower premiums when you choose steel - and those that aren’t are watching the development of steel framing with interest. They recognise that the inherent strength of steel framed homes, which are stronger and safer than conventional construction, reduces the possibility of serious storm and fire damage .

Q) Can the Steelbuilt Systems be used in a commercial capacity?

A) Yes – we’ve supplied Universal Steel Frames have supplied and constructed a number of units, townhouses, site accommodation, mini storage shed facilities as well as internal office partitioning, industrial sheds, farm sheds and garages.

Q) Is the Steelbuilt System suitable for cyclone and earthquake areas?

A) Yes! Universal Steel Frames system has been fully engineered for most building conditions.

Q) Does lightening strike affect a steel frame more than a timber one?

A) NO! Because the steel creates a positive earth, the lightening has less effect. The energy is allowed to go straight to ground, and is not dissipated destructively as in conventional framing or cladding.

Q) Is a steel frame safer than a timber frame when exposed to an electrical live wire?

A) Yes! Since contact with steel by a wire will create a short and blow a fuse, there is little chance of you touching anything live. A broken or pierced wire in a timber frame, however, can remain live and earth leakage can cause troublesome faults and fire risk.

Q) How are architraves and skirtings, etc, fixed?

A) Two options, either with fine gauge self drilling screws or nail gun, using a nail of slightly heavier gauge than used in timber frames. As a result, a little more filling and finishing is needed.

Q) How easy is it to transport the wall frames and roof trusses to site?

A) Because the Steelbuilt system is manufactured from high grade, light weight steel section, the pre-assembled frames and trusses are lighter than timber and easy to transport.

For long distance transport or export, you also have the option to ‘flat pack’ and assemble on site.