Due to the large number of benefits, steel framing is becoming increasingly popular in home design. Steel framing offers strength, versatility, durability and economic value to a large variety of structures. Above all, steel framing allows you greater design flexibility when building a dream home that will last for generations to come.

Design Aesthetics

Bold choices that inspire and create a lasting impression are made possible through steel framing. Due to its flexibility, you can choose to design with flowing curves or precision flatness. Steel can be easily cut into different custom lengths and widths allowing you varied choices. Your desired look can be easily achieved as steel can accommodate a variety of external finishes such as brickwork, timber, weatherboard, tiles, render etc. to create contemporary and stylish looks. The ability to account for different materials at the design stage also means that services such as ducting, cabling and plumbing are made easier, saving you time and effort. The inherit properties of steel allow designers to include longer spans that create larger open plan spaces. This freedom of design provides you the opportunity to build within a wide range of styles and create an image that will endure the test of time.

Minimal Time & Cost Restraints

Using steel framing will help save you time and money in the long-run, but also during the building process itself. There is usually little to no wastage on site, and what is left can be sold afterwards to be recycled in other steel-based products. Since steel buildings are quick and easy to erect, you have more time to spend on other important aspects of the design process.

Future Requirements

As your requirements change over the years, you can reuse, relocate or expand your structure easily with steel framing. Not only does this save on future costs, it also reduces the impact on the environment. Designers can use this flexibility for new projects, while using the old materials or even relocate with substantially lower costs. With minimal maintenance requirements, your costs will stay low throughout the years allowing you to enjoy your new home.

Steel framing is fast becoming one of the most popular systems for house building in Australia due to its numerous benefits. Designing for steel framing offers perhaps the widest array of choices within the construction industry. You can find out more about the benefits of steel framing and how CMIWA can help you with your building needs here.

Although there are many elements of bushfires that you can’t control, taking precautions when building your home can dramatically increase the chances of your family & home surviving. Homes built in bushfire prone areas need to be able to resist ignition, limit propagation, add no fuel to the fire & remain strong without lots of maintenance.

The main causes of home destruction during bushfires is an ember attack. Therefore, the best way to protect yourself against these embers is simple, when building your home, use materials that don’t burn.

Integrating bushfire proof materials into the design of a home can save you money in the long run and help protect your family. While there is a common misconception that bushfire proof homes are expensive to build, using steel is a cost-effective way to keep your home safe.

Truecore steel is tested in Australian Conditions and is a fire resistant material. A steel house frame or other steel elements won’t catch fire and may help you achieve the standards required for building in high-risk zones.

A BAL (Bushfire Attack Level) is a means of measuring a building’s potential exposure to bushfire elements and provides a basis for establishing the requirements for construction to improve protection of building elements from attack by bushfire. Steel roofing systems, when built in accordance with the BAL requirements, offer great protection and peace of mind against very high risks. You can read more about the BAL and building requirements here.

The CMI Steel Roofing System is a cost-effective, structurally engineered solution that satisfies up to and including BAL 40 requirements. Using other bush-fire proofing elements such as toughened glass, window mesh and window shutters can fulfil everyday roles such as fly screens or shades, as well as protecting your home and family.

It’s clear that steel is the only way to go when designing a home to keep your family safe from bushfires. Not only is it a cost-efficient but a house made with steel elements won’t catch fire and will help you achieve the standards required to build in bushfire prone area.

Termites and Borers are big fans of Australian homes – and can carry out between $80 – $780 million worth of damage to houses annually! While termite barriers may delay termite invasions in some instances, using steel framing as opposed to timber framing completely eliminates any risk of structural termite damage.

Particularly in rural areas and urban fringes, termites can eat through everything from wood to carpet backing, cabinetry, furniture and doors – however when it comes to the structure and foundation of your home, a termite’s love of wood can be the most harmful.

There are a number of factors that will affect the termite damage risk to your home:

• Where your home is located
• How vigilant you are in inspecting and maintaining your home
• And how its foundations are constructed.

The cost of any termite damage is borne by home owners and very rarely covered by insurance – even during the building warranty period termite damage is only covered if the builder is seen to be negligent. And signs of termite damage are not always apparent – they lurk beneath surfaces undetected until it is too late.

Results of a recent study commissioned by the National Association of Steel-Framed Housing (NASH) and undertaken by the University of Western Sydney discovered 1 in 8 timber framed homes in the study had suffered termite damage, and not a single steel framed home was affected.

Whilst the traditional approach to termite control was to ‘seal them out’ with pesticides and treatments, Steel Framing innovation has re invented the way builders and home owners look at their home’s foundation. A home built from TRUECORE®steel is 100% termite proof, requires absolutely no pesticide or chemical treatment and has been tested time and time again for Australian standards.

What is TRUECORE®Steel?

TRUECORE® steel is a zinc/aluminium alloy coated steel manufactured by BlueScope Steel. It is characterised by a distinctive blue resin surface finish and is backed by a 50-year warranty. TRUECORE® steel is 100% termite and borer proof, it will not catch fire, it is consistently straight and true, wont shrink, twist or warp over time, and can often allow for greater design flexibility.

Does a Steel Frame need chemical or physical termite protection?

A steel frame is completely resistant to termite and borer attacks and therefore does not require any chemical or physical barriers in accordance with the Building Code of Australia.

When considering the foundation of your home, choosing TRUECORE®Steel ensures you have a foundation that is 100% termite and borer proof, without the use of pesticides. At Combined Metal Industries, we can assist you with your Steel Framing design and manufacturing, to guarantee you a beautifully finished home, that tastes horrible to termites.