Yes, we supply a full design service and prepare all the architectural plans required to be submitted to authorities for the building application for customers who purchase our smartsteel frames.

No. Steel frames are widely available pricing should generally be available for standard house designs from progressive builders who are utilising innovative steel building frame technology. Construction costs are similar for all homes that use durable framing materials.

Yes. We meet & exceed the energy efficiency rating required as standard in most cases. In some cases depending on your block location, orientation of the house, external colours, external materials, floor and window coverings selected, homes may need some modifications to meet the EER (energy efficiency rating) requirements. The EER compliance can be determined, when the feature site survey with house orientation on the block is completed and other design selection elements being incorporated in the house are advised. Based on these selections some homes might require additional materials or modifications to meet the EER and may be incorporated as optional extras if required. We offer a free initial EER estimate and the EER report for council building applications; this service is provided free of charge to customers who purchase stages 1 & 2

This can be eliminated with our system of steel wall frames & trusses, as the smartsteel roll former produces each individual piece of steel by labeling it, cutting it exactly to size, punching all holes and counter sinking screw fixing locations, to give a flush finish. Which means the entire house frames walls & roof can be shipped unassembled in strapped smaller bundles occupying a lot smaller truck space and assembled on site by your local builder using supplied manuals.

Yes. Steel frames are safe because frames are earthed and all new housing is required to be fitted with “safety switches” to protect against earth leakage in the wiring. A lightning strike will also have no effect because the steel frame creates a positive earth allowing energy to go to the ground.

No steel frames do not interfere with reception because the wave frequencies pass around steel as easily as they do in timber framed homes.

Yes – these materials should be isolated. In the presence of water they will develop galvanic cells that will result in damage to the protective metallic coating by a process called “bi-metallic corrosion”. Isolation is simple: lead flashing can be isolated from the frame using an underlay of plastic membrane, while copper pipes can be isolated from the frame by the incorporation of nylon grommets, or by face-fixing to the studs using plastic clips. Both of these systems also resist water hammer noise.

For a more detailed explanation, refer to BlueScope Steel Corrosion Technical Bulletin CTB-12.

Yes. Zinc coated (“galvanized”) and zinc/aluminium alloy coated steels are protected from cut-edge corrosion by galvanic action – the coating adjacent to the edge or hole protects the cut area. For a more detailed explanation, refer to BlueScope Steel Technical Bulletin TB-10.

The use of light gauge materials in steel frames allows the use of inexpensive needle point self-drilling screws in most cases. This may take a little extra effort but they will never spring out. Nailing, or a combination of nails, screws and adhesive, may also be used to reduce costs, depending on the application and framing system.

The studs and plates have pre-punched holes to facilitate easy cable installation, and grommets are fitted to protect the cable insulation. We can customize the location of these pre-punched holes to suit most requirements.