Timber Frames Vs Steel Frames Ultimate Guide
The frame of a building is its backbone, so it must be both safe and secure.
When building in Australia, your framing options are between steel and timber frames and trusses, which both have their unique advantages and disadvantages.
Steel framing is known for its strength, durability, and resistance to termites and other pests. It is also non-combustible, which means it can help prevent the spread of fire. Steel framing is also straight and true, making building a square and level house easier. However, steel framing can be more expensive than timber framing, and it requires specialised tools and expertise to work with.
Timber framing is a traditional house construction method used for centuries. Timber is widely available, relatively inexpensive, and a renewable resource. Timber framing is also easier to work with. However, timber is susceptible to termites and other pests. It can be more prone to warping, twisting, and cracking than steel. Timber framing can also be a fire hazard if not properly treated.
Ultimately, the choice between steel and timber framing depends on various factors, including the local climate, building codes, and personal preferences. Both materials can be used to build strong, durable, and energy-efficient homes, so it is essential to weigh the pros and cons of each option before making a decision.
When choosing between either framing option, you should consider the following:
Cost of materials and labour
The longevity of the finished product
Any warranties
Environmental sustainability
What will best suit your site
Any unique ecological factors like fire, storm and corrosion
Flexibility and ability to make changes during the build phase
Below are the pros and cons of building with Timber Framing or Steel Frames
STEEL FRAMES
Choosing steel frames and trusses has a range of benefits for builders, designers and homeowners. Here is a list of the associated Pros and Cons of steel frames:
Weight & Strength
A steel-framed house is generally lighter than a house framed out of timber; steel has the highest strength-to-weight ratio of any material used in construction. This means that steel components are more robust without adding much weight. Steel has the highest strength-to-weight ratio of any current residential building material. Steel frames and trusses provide a strong foundation for your home with no risk of warping or flexing.
Build Efficiency
Steel frames and trusses are pre-engineered to an exact design at our factory and then shipped out, ready for construction. This prefabrication speeds up the building process significantly, saving both time and money in labour costs.
Pest Resistant
Steel is 100% resistant to pests such as termites and borers making it a reliable choice for your building.
Durability
Steel Framing offers unsurpassed durability when compared with Timber frames. It won't warp or flex as timber does, meaning the lines of your building remain straight and true over time.
Eligible applicants who build with frames made from TRUECORE® Steel will be reassured with a staggering 50-year warranty.
Fire Resistant
Steel is 100% non-combustible, making it the logical building material for bushfire-prone areas.
Environmentally Sound
Australian Steel Framing can earn builders points towards green certification programs. A quality Australian Steel Frame can create an airtight, well-insulated, energy-efficient home.
Disadvantages
Typically cost is seen as the main disadvantage of building with a steel frame, and there is an element of truth to this assumption as the raw cost of steel is more expensive than timber. However, due to the precision and accuracy of the prefabrication, assembly time is significantly reduced, meaning you will save thousands on labour costs along with decreasing the overall build time. The durability of steel will save you maintenance and repair costs. Insurance costs are also, in many cases, lower for homes with steel frame construction.
The main disadvantage is the environmental cost in terms of energy consumption to produce steel.
TIMBER FRAMES
You don't need research to prove that timber frames work. Hundreds of years of building history will prove that. Timber house frames are Australia's most popular choice of frame and truss.
Here is a list of the associated Pros and Cons of timber frames:
Readily Available
Timber farming can be easily sourced from any local hardware or building supplies store; meaning framing can generally be constructed quickly on-site. However, because the building of timber framing occurs on-site, there may be errors, creating waste and increasing labour costs.
Ease Of Use
Nearly all builders are very familiar and experienced with building framing out of timber. Timber can easily be cut to size to suit on the fly modifications to your plan on-site.
Renewable Resource
Timber is both a renewable resource and a natural product, making it environmentally friendly. Particularly timber sourced from sustainable and ethically sourced suppliers.
Natural Insulator
Timber will gather heat during the day and slowly release that heat throughout the night.
Disadvantages
While the initial cost for the timber to construct the frame is cheaper than steel, the construction process takes place on-site. All wood needs to be measured and cut to size instead of steel framing that comes prefabricated chiefly off-site and ready for erection upon delivery.
The other main deterrent to using timber framing is its susceptibility to pests and the elements such as fire, wind and storm.
Any number of pests can compromise the integrity of the timber. That ranges from termites, borers, and vermin to possums. Wood is a lot easier to chew through than steel!
Lastly, timber is susceptible to moisture. As timber absorbs water, it will expand and then will contract as it dries out. This expansion and contraction can cause the attached coverings, such as your gyprock and cornice, to warp and crack over time. It can be a breeding ground for mould and fungi, which pose significant health risks.
A building frame made from BlueScope's TRUECORE® steel is strong, straight and precise, won't twist or warp over time and won't catch fire.
There you have it! Both Steel and Timber framing have their unique advantages and disadvantages.