It is essential that we give consideration to building materials that are not only durable, but also sustainable. Attention must be given to not only our current generation but also those that will follow in our footsteps. Our choice of building materials now, will impact future generations.
Steel is the perfect choice as it ticks all the boxes essential for sustainability. Steel is durable. Its long life conserves valuable resources and reduces energy consumption. Steel is 100% recyclable and won’t rot, split, warp, twist or burn and is termite and borer resistant.
Its high strength to weight ratio means that long column free spans are possible, meaning minimal material is used. When compared with other inferior building products it’s easy to see why steel is the favoured choice when it comes to strength, longevity and sustainability.
Transport costs are also notably reduced as more material can be transported at any one time, meaning fewer deliveries made to building sites. Many steel products are highly adaptable being designed in such a way that they can be disassembled and reused in their current form. There is no need to purchase new products and recycling is not required, meaning more savings.
TRUECORE® steel is a zinc/aluminium alloy coated steel with a distinctive blue resin surface finish, made by BlueScope Steel specifically for the house framing market.
The colour selection is vast, with over 20 colours to choose from and incorporates the Thermatech® technology. Thermatech® helps reduce a buildings energy load by reflecting the sun’s heat which in turn helps to keep your home cooler in summer, thus reducing energy costs associated with cooling.
A raised floor system (600mm) provides an alternative to building on a slab.
Another important benefit is that termites don’t like steel! Unlike timber framed houses, termites will not eat through steel so you can be rest assured the structural integrity of your dwelling will not be compromised by these pests. We do however recommend that you arrange regular termite inspections for your home, as other areas may still be prone to termite infestation.
It is really important to note that designing a steel kit home for cyclonic conditions is different to designing a building for non-cyclonic regions. Wide Span Homes offer a range of designs that meet the strict Building Codes of Australia for cyclonic regions. In fact, they are individually engineered to meet the BCA criteria.
