Building a home can be a very costly process. So, naturally most new home builders look to save on costs wherever possible. Of course, there are some areas of building a home that should not be subjected to cost-cutting if it puts your investment at risk further down the track. Thankfully, building your home with a steel framing system can afford you some savings which don’t put your investment – or your home’s integrity – in jeopardy.
Save on materials
Steel is the cheaper option when weighing up the costs of steel framing systems versus traditional timber frames and trusses. The extent of these savings will depend on the design of your home and where you intend to build it.
Cut construction costs
Construction cost savings are not just limited to materials, but may also extend as far as saving money on building your home due to the innovation of steel-framing technology. For example, homes with relatively straight forward designs can often not only be manufactured at a lesser cost but also assembled for less.
Design and detail processes
The precise processes of design and detailing result in more efficient planning and prefabrication – which in turn lowers the risk of costly rectifications on site, along with the time saved in avoiding such things in the first place. Plus, designers and detailers have the ability to consider and include every little detail in the design and detailing phases, such as electrical service holes, plumbing noggins and A/C ducts.
Lower maintenance costs
The longevity and enduring structural integrity of steel framing means less risk of movement, no warping or twisting (as is sometimes the case with timber frames), and lower risk of infestation by pests. All of this equates to minimising your need for periodical structural maintenance and eliminates the need for termite treatment (although a barrier system may still be beneficial for extra protection of other non-steel aspects of your home).
Cheaper insurance
Insurance premiums may be lower when you build your home upon a steel framing system. In fact, if you’re building in a flood zone or bushfire-prone area, your home and contents insurance policy may require the use of steel over timber for structural elements of your home.
More efficient heating and cooling
With the cost of household electricity these days, even the tiniest changes can make an impact on your family budget. Homes built upon a steel framing system are less-inclined to shift or experience movement that can lessen the efficiency of door and window seals – meaning heating and cooling your home effectively is more likely.
The biggest costs
What of the other costs? It goes without saying that the notion of “cost” doesn’t begin and end with finances. When you’re building a home for your family, how many decisions do you make to ensure the safety of your home and family as much as reasonably possible? Your framing choice is no different. In the event that your home is impacted by floods, fire or any manner of natural disaster, the frame upon which your family’s home is built can make a huge difference to the potential for property damage or loss, and can even be a significant factor in buying you precious minutes to evacuate your possessions and yourselves.
Want to learn more about how you can save on costs by building with steel? Our teams across our three facilities (Cameron Park – NSW, Goulburn – NSW, and Crestmead – QLD) are happy to walk you through the cost-saving features and benefits of AusSteel’s #ultimatebuildingsystem. Get in touch today!
