Is steel slower or faster to build with?
Working with steel can provide significant time savings on the total build project. Frames and trusses are usually supplied pre-assembled and ready to stand on site. Steel frames are light and easy to move (aprox 1/3 weight of timber) and erecting steel is not so weather dependent.
How do I create electrical and plumbing service holes?
VANSON steel frames and trusses are trade-friendly. Service holes are pre-punched with plastic grommets to protect services. Additional service holes are easily drilled or can be made cleanly with a stub punch.
Interior linings, how to fix?
Wall linings are glued and screw-fixed in place. Fixings are available from your local building merchant. Ask VANSON or your supplier for details.
Steel framing and electricity, is it safe?
Yes, standard trade practice is to earth steel-frames, so if they do become exposed to live-wires the earthing creates a short and trips the residual current safety switch, reducing the chance of electrocution. Tests also show steel framing offers better protection in a lighting storm, as, if struck the charge will be redirected straight to the ground via the earth wire, reducing the likelihood of fire or injury.
Do I need a new set of tools?
No, the VANSON frame and truss system requires a few specialist tools. You will need a pair of quality tin snips, an impact driver with bits including 150mm bits for screwing into deep corners, and a hole saw (34mm) to make any additional service holes. No welding equipment is required.
Is steel framing a good choice of material when looking to a build a healthy home?
A steel framed home is a healthy home. AXXIS®steel is the framing material to be awarded the Sensitive Choice blue butterfly by The Asthma Foundation. Steel framing does not leach toxic chemicals, it will not act as a food source for mould and in the unfortunate event of moisture ingress, will not rot or promote mould growth.
We want ste
el framing, but what about the floors? Is steel an option?
The VANSON Steel Floor Joist system is the logical choice. There are no issues with moisture, squeaking, growing or shrinking as with timber floors. Our steel joist systems are strong, spanning up to 6.9 meters and are both fire and noise rated to Winstone Wallboard specifications.
Building with Steel and the Effects on the Environment
The future is now. Finally, strong , sustainable, eco-friendly building materials are available right here in New Zealand. Plus, you don't have to break the bank just to love Mother Earth back. VANSON Frames & Trusses are manufactured to be fast, efficient, and affordable so you stay on budget.
Building a better home means building a better future both for our families and offering the best solutions we can to meet the needs of environmentally conscious consumers. Environmental awareness is just as important, because if we do not know, how can we be expected to change.
When you use VANSON Frames & Trusses in your home, you can rest assured you are using the very best building materials available. Our product is 100% recyclable, and surprisingly strong and light. We precision engineer the parts, so there is less waste and faster building times, ultimately resulting in a reduced carbon footprint for your project.
FASCINATING FACTS
Get Informed
We've compiled some of the common questions asked by builders unfamiliar with steel framing. If you have any further questions feel free to email or call us.
Tradesmen might also be interested in our Technical Specifications »
Can you SAVE money by building with steel?
Steel construction saves time and labor costs. Residential steel framing components are extremely cost effective, pre-cut, pre-drilled, and easy to handle. It takes LESS MEN (or women!) to get the job done, greatly reducing the cost of labor during construction.
With the rising cost of lumber and the steady drop in steel prices (about 1% each year)...wood is quickly becoming economically unsuitable as a primary building material. Trees are harvested at a much faster rate than they can be replaced and a dwindling supply can only mean one thing to prices!
As lumber prices continue to escalate, the industry greatly favors steel as the economical choice. Steel is abundant, competitively priced and fully recyclable.
These manufactured homes offer practically waste-free construction. The 2% loss is nothing, compared to the 20% loss in wood construction. In the long run, the dramatic lack of maintenance and 60% savings on utilities takes the savings far into the future.
How easy is it to work with?
Steel homes are convenient to design and build. The framing systems go up much like a giant erector set with components being bolted and screwed together quickly, easily, and with a minimum of scrap. The unique framing system can be erected in a very short time using only 3 to 5 men.
The exterior shell can be quickly weathered-in, with interior wall framing and finishing proceeding in a dry, climate controlled environment, without stalls due to regard for weather conditions.
Is everything made from steel?
Only the structural components, such as the framing, the roof trusses and the mid floor joist sections for multi story buildings. Steel roof battens and ceiling battens are optional.
Will I be able to customize my new home?
Steel homes provide maximum usable space and design flexibility. Because of its strength, steel can span greater distances, offering large, open interior spaces and high ceilings. Sturdy steel columns fully carry the load of the roof and additional stories to all outside walls.
The interior walls can be moved anywhere you want without disturbing the basic structure. This enables attractive design options, and a much larger variety of floor plans can therefore be made available with the same basic pre-engineered plan.
Email: admin@vansonsteel.co.nz
Free Call: 0508 VANSON (826766)