Steel Frame Homes: Everything you need to know

At Rawson Homes, we use steel frames for all of our residential buildings. It's all part of our smarter construction policy to maximise quality and efficiency.

Whether you’re a first-time buyer, upsizer or investor, we believe steel frame homes offer you the great design and affordable price you’re looking for. This includes for those choosing to do a knock down rebuild.
 
If you’re new to learning about home design and construction, including the more secret inner-workings of the frame construction, you may be wondering: Are steel frame homes good?

In this article, we’ve summarised everything you need to know about steel frame homes so you can also come to understand their advantages for Australian conditions.

What are steel frame homes?

Steel is usually thought of as a metal but it's actually an alloy. That's because steel is not a pure element (you won't find it on the periodic table that you learned about in high school chemistry).

Though steel is mainly iron, this is combined with carbon and small amounts of other elements (usually manganese, silicon, phosphorous, sulfur and oxygen). Steel is usually a strong grey or bluish-grey in colour.

A frame provides the structure around which your house is built. Just like our bodies have a skeleton constructed from bones and joints to hold us up, buildings have frames.

Frames are not just the hard wood or metal struts. Within the frame construction are beams, columns and joists. Once a frame is securely in place, the floors, walls, ceilings and internal fixtures of the house are constructed.

Steel frame homes are becoming increasingly popular, thanks to their safety and strength, as well as the clean lines and high-end aesthetic they create. That's why, at Rawson, we've chosen steel frames as a key part of our design and construction process.

Benefits of steel frame homes

There are many pros to choosing steel for house framing. Here are some of the many reasons we choose to build steel frame homes in Australia:

1. Steel frames are quick to build

Steel frames arrive pre-engineered to our precise specifications, meaning they have a high degree of accuracy and are ready to erect. They are also lighter than timber (by up to 50%) and they provide a solid surface for insulation and plasterboard. This can further speed up the construction process, as fewer workers and resources are required. As long as you have a steel fabricator to weld the frame structure together, your build is underway quickly and efficiently.

2. Steel is durable

Steel is incredibly hard-wearing and stable. Its high strength-to-weight ratio means that not only is the frame strong but it can reduce the load that is transferred to a home’s foundations.

3. Steel is more weather-proof

Steel is able to withstand high winds and extreme weather conditions. For example, consider the event of a flood. Because timber is permeable, it will take much longer to dry out than steel. This then makes it prone to rotting. By contrast, steel is invulnerable to mould and fungi, so is great for climates with high humidity and flood risk. And, as you see in the section immediately below, steel framing also has advantages in situations involving fire.

4. Steel is vastly more fire-resistant than timber

One of the best things about steel is that it’s non-combustible. This means it will fare much better in a fire than a timber frame, which will of course burn (although it’s worth noting that the strength of steel may still be compromised under extreme heat).

5. Steel is termite and borer-proof 

Termites are a real concern in Australia and steel frames are by far the safest option for resisting them. Unlike timber, steel frames are 100% resistant to termites, as well as other borers, bugs and rodents. Bear in mind that you will still need to protect the rest of your home.

6. Steel is low-maintenance

Compared to timber structures, steel requires less upkeep as it does not tend to move, shrink or warp over time. In the event of a fire or extreme weather, a timber frame is more likely to need to be repaired or replaced.

7. Steel frame construction results in minimal waste

Our process of creating steel frames means very little wastage compared with timber, where you can end up with a lot of offcuts. Timber can also have imperfections in the wood, which results in it being rendered unusable.

8. Steel is highly recyclable

Steel in an iron alloy. 100% recyclable. It can be melted down and reused an infinite number of times without any damage created or even any degradation to its innate properties. That’s good news in a world where we need to be ever-mindful about our waste.

Are steel frame homes more expensive?

After reading about all these benefits, including strength, durability, construction efficiencies, pest-control and resistance to extreme weather events, you might be wondering whether steel frame homes are more expensive than timber frames.

In the past, steel frame homes were more expensive, as there’s generally more energy and labour required for steel production than timber. However, due to recent supply shortages, steel frames are currently cheaper than timber frames.

And, it’s worth remembering that expense doesn’t stop once construction is complete. By the time you also factor in termite-proofing wooden frames (which steel does not need) and the potential savings on your home insurance premium from having a moisture and termite-proof structure, you’ll agree that steel frame homes can save you money!

Which is better: timber or steel frames?

As steel is infinitely recyclable, strong, and resistant to moisture and termites, we believe steel frames are the best choice for Australian homes. It’s not just Superman, the Man of Steel, who understands the benefits of steel; it’s our chosen material for Rawson Homes.

Sold on the benefits of steel? Give us a call on 1300 223 345 today!

FAQs

Are steel frame homes good?

We certainly think so! Steel frame homes have multiple benefits during construction, including stability, and once you’ve moved in, including being pest-resistant and more durable during times of extreme weather. These reasons, and more that you’ll discover on reading our article about steel frames, are why Rawson Homes choose steel every time.

Are steel framed houses colder?

Temperature control is an important factor when considering your home’s design. Because steel conducts heat more than timber, some people believe makes steel framed houses colder in winter (and warmer in summer). However, with sufficient adaptations to your insulation, the difference can be negligible. Another positive is that the accuracy of steel frames means doors and windows will be better sealed and less heat should be lost around the joins.

Do steel frame homes rust?

Steel frames are not usually prone to rust, as they are galvanised during the manufacturing process. However, if they are scratched after manufacture, corrosion is possible – particularly in coastal areas with higher salt content in the air. This can be counteracted with powder and hot zinc coating treatments.

Are steel frame homes fireproof?

Steel is non-combustible, meaning that steel frames will fare much better in a fire than timber frames, which will of course burn. It is worth adding a note of caution however, especially as extreme weather events become more common, that the strength of steel may be compromised as a result of exposure to extreme heat).
 
For more information about steel frame home designs or Rawson Home’s construction process, contact the team today.