What Are The Problems With Steel Framed Homes?
Are Steel Frames All They’re Cracked Up To Be?
If you're reading this article, you might be asking whether steel frame homes are a wise choice, what the downsides are and whether a traditional timber frame is better. In this overview, we've compiled all the essential information about steel frame homes to help you make a well-informed decision.
Before we cover the disadvantages of a steel frame, let's define what a light-gauge steel-frame house is.
What are steel frame homes?
Steel frame homes are built with a structural framework of steel Beams, Studs, Plates, Nogging, Joists, and roof trusses that serve as the house's skeleton and provide the foundation for the floors, walls, ceilings, and internal fixtures. These frames are typically made from light-gauge steel.
Steel-framed homes offer several advantages, such as strength, durability, and resistance to termites and fire. However, they also come with challenges and considerations that may be disadvantages in specific contexts.
What is the problem with a steel frame? Here's an overview of some potential issues associated with steel-framed homes:
1. Thermal Conductivity
Energy Efficiency: Steel wall frames have a higher thermal conductivity than timber, which can lead to poor insulation properties if not adequately addressed. Some people think that steel's higher heat conductivity could make steel-framed houses cooler in winter (and hotter in summer). Nonetheless, with appropriate insulation, this temperature difference can be minimal. Additionally, the precise construction of steel frames ensures a tighter fit for doors and windows, improving sealing and reducing heat loss at the joints.
2. Condensation
Moisture Issues: Temperature differences between the inside and outside can cause condensation on steel, potentially leading to moisture-related issues inside the home if proper vapour barriers and insulation are not installed.
Timber frames, by comparison, are susceptible to humidity and contract as they dry, whereas a steel-framed home doesn't creak or shrink with humidity changes.
In fact, steel significantly reduces cracks in plaster or cornice, as it maintains its form throughout its lifespan without undergoing any state changes.
3. Acoustic Transmission
Noise: Steel can transmit sound more readily than timber, which can raise noise levels inside the home. Special acoustic insulation materials generally fill a steel-framed house's exterior walls, interior walls, and ceiling, restricting outside noise and sound travelling within the house. Overall, this isn't really an issue; another benefit of steel is that it won't creak because it is mechanically fastened.
4. Do Steel Frame Houses Creak?
A common concern among homeowners is whether steel frame houses creak. Unlike timber, which can expand and contract with humidity changes and creak as a result, steel frames are mechanically fastened and don't undergo these dimensional changes. Therefore, steel frame houses are less likely to creak, providing a quieter living environment.
5. How Long Does It Take to Install a Steel Frame?
Installation time for a steel frame can vary based on the project's complexity and size. However, because steel components are prefabricated, erection is generally faster than traditional construction methods. For instance, an experienced crew can erect a medium-sized steel building in about a week.
6. Do Steel Frame Houses Get Hot?
Steel has higher thermal conductivity than wood, which raises the question: do steel frame houses get hot? While steel conducts heat more readily, proper insulation and ventilation can mitigate this effect, keeping indoor temperatures comfortable even in hot weather.
7. Thermal Expansion
Structural Movement: Steel expands and contracts slightly more with temperature changes than wood. Thermal expansion is measured as the degree of expansion divided by the change in temperature; this measure is called the material's "coefficient of thermal expansion".
Pinewood exhibits a lengthwise coefficient of expansion of 5 x 10^-6, while steel has a corresponding coefficient of 12 x 10^-6.
For such calculations, the temperature is expressed in degrees Kelvin, meaning 10 degrees Celsius equals 283.15 degrees Kelvin. To determine the change in length of a 1 metre (1,000mm) length of steel and the same length of pine, multiply the coefficient of expansion by the temperature change and then by the original length. For steel, this calculation is 0.000012 x 283.15 x 1000, resulting in a change of 3.3mm, and for wood, it's 0.000005 x 283.15 x 1000, leading to a change of 1.4mm.
So overall, it's not a huge difference, but it's a difference.
8. Do Steel Frame Houses Affect WiFi?
Another concern is whether steel frame houses affect WiFi signals. While metal can interfere with wireless signals, steel framing has minimal impact on WiFi, especially when routers are strategically placed and modern building materials are used. In most cases, residents experience no significant difference in WiFi performance.
9. Electrical Conductivity
Electrical and Electronic Equipment: Some believe the conductive nature of steel can interfere with wireless signals in the home, potentially affecting cell phone reception and WiFi connectivity. This is a myth; WiFi, radio, and television wave frequencies pass through the spaces between the studs, so you can use all household appliances without interference, just as easily as with timber framing.
RECOMMENDED READING: Are Steel Frames Electrically Safe?
10. Corrosion
Rust: Steel is susceptible to rust when it comes into contact with moisture and specific environmental elements. It's crucial to apply appropriate protective coatings and perform regular maintenance to avert corrosion, especially in regions with salty coastal air. Although steel frames typically resist rust because of galvanisation during production, post-manufacture scratches can leave them vulnerable to corrosion, particularly in coastal zones where the air has a higher salt concentration. Employing treatments such as powder coating and hot zinc dipping can effectively mitigate this risk.
11. Cost and Availability
Initial Costs: The initial cost of a steel frame can be higher than traditional wood framing, depending on local material availability and the availability of skilled labour experienced in steel construction.
RECOMMENDED READING: How Much Do Steel House Frames Cost?
12. Modification and Repair
Flexibility: Modifying or repairing a steel-framed structure can be more challenging and expensive than working with wood. Cutting and welding steel require specialised tools and skills.
In Conclusion
Light-gauge steel frame homes offer a compelling option for modern construction, with strength, durability, and resistance to common challenges like termites and fire. Throughout this article, we've explored what the downsides of steel frame houses are and the potential drawbacks of choosing steel over traditional materials like timber. From thermal conductivity and condensation issues to acoustic transmission and thermal expansion, it's clear that while steel frames come with specific concerns, many can be managed or mitigated with the right approaches and technologies.
Moreover, concerns around electrical conductivity and corrosion have proven manageable with modern building techniques and materials, ensuring that steel frame homes can offer a safe, durable, and efficient living space. While the initial costs and the need for specialised skills for modifications may be seen as drawbacks, the long-term benefits of steel, such as its sustainability and low maintenance requirements, offer a persuasive argument for its use in residential construction.
Ultimately, whether steel frame homes are the right choice for you depends on your specific needs, priorities, and local conditions. By understanding the unique properties and requirements of steel framing, homeowners can make informed decisions that balance the upfront costs with the long-term advantages, ensuring a safe, comfortable, and sustainable home for years to come. As the construction industry continues to evolve, steel frame homes stand out as a forward-thinking choice for those looking to build or renovate their living spaces.
We are Newcastle and Central Coast's leading steel wall frame and steel roof truss suppliers and manufacturers. Our state-of-the-art factory on the Central Coast houses our innovative steel framing technologies. These include a computer-numerically controlled steel frame manufacturing plant and various structural steel engineering tools that our experienced team uses to design and create our light-gauge steel framing products.
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