Future Proof Your Building
In association with New Zealand Steel, NASH participated in this years CMS Future Proof Road shows in main centers throughout New Zealand. These are proving extremely popular with builders, architects and territorial authorities.
Steel frames do not absorb moisture and will not rot or grow toxic mould.
Passivated, dry galvanized products (studding, track, ceiling batons and other residential and commercial building components) do not support mould and mildew growth, and they do not off-gas. As a result, they are considered non-allergenic and have a neutral impact to indoor air quality.
Steel frames are designed to meet the loading requirements of all relevant Standards.
Steel frames provide occupants extra protection from lightning as energy is conducted straight to ground and not released destructively within the frame.
Because of its properties including high strength and lightness, steel framing is an excellent material to resist earthquakes.
Steel framing resists fire. Under high heat it will deform but not burn. Steel frames do not contribute to spread of fire or increased fire load.
Steel framing cannot be attacked by vermin or insects such as borer moth and termites.
Lightweight steel frames mean less strain on installers and provide safer work sites.
Steel frames can be used in all climate conditions.
Steel frames made from Galvsteel® manufactured by New Zealand Steel come with a 50 year durability statement when installed to specification.
Steel is lightweight, cost effective, easy to use, recycled and 100% recyclable.
Consistent quality and dimensional stability contribute to better drywall and exterior appearance and performance. Less call-backs to fix cracks in interior and exterior linings.
The dimensional stability of steel provides a quality fit for doors, windows and cupboards that remain ‘true’ over time.
New Zealand Steel has been manufacturing steel in New Zealand for 40 years.
New Zealand Steel manufacturing process is ISO accredited.
There are numerous standards and industry developed documents that guide users of steel framed houses. For example
- Steel is manufactured to AS 1397:2001 for cold formed coated steel.
- NASH report N04:1997 Guidelines for Lightweight Steel framed House Construction. Covers design, fabrication and construction.
- NASH3405:2007 An Alternative Solution for steel framed houses not requiring specific design. Scope for application – as for NZS3604.
- Various standards and approved documents
- AS/NZS 1170 – Loading Standards
- AS/NZS 4600:2005 – Design of thin gauge cold formed steel
- NZS 2295 – Building Underlay’s
- AS 3623:1993 Domestic Metal Framing
- Durability Statements from New Zealand Steel are the only structural durability warranty offered on framing materials. In practice if these requirements are met durability will be indefinite. See durability statements for:
- Galvanised Steel Floor Joists
- Above Floor Steel Frame Construction
Ask for your steel frame suppliers Manufacturing and Installation manual.
In international studies steel framing as a material has been shown to consume only 6.5% of the total life-cycle energy used by a home; the balance is consumed by heating and cooling, food refrigeration and lighting.
Thermal barrier insulating materials provide exceptional heat and cooling loss protection to steel framed homes.
Additionally steel framing results in less air loss around windows and doors as well as foundation and roofing connections.
Steel is one of the world’s most recyclable building materials. All components of a steel frame can be recycled at end of life.
Precise manufacturing to exact dimensions and uniform quality mean steel frames are efficient to manufacture and greatly reduce wastage to landfill.
Being extremely lightweight, steel frame construction requires lighter foundations and can reduce building footprints. On steeply sloping terrain, this can reduce site disturbance.
Steel framing is easy to use on-site. It is lightweight because steel has the highest strength to weight ratio of any construction material, resulting in less framing material compared to wood for an equal size structure.
Steel framing as an installed solution is cost effective.
Steel frames and other steel building components i.e. ceiling batons, can be purchased in specific lengths and in assembled or panelised sections, making it fast to install and minimising job site waste.
Steel does not twist warp or split so there is no need to sort poor quality product which saves time and money. Builders reduce their disposal costs and divert material going to local landfills.
Wastage for landfill can be next to nothing as all steel components can be recycled through a scrap metal recycler.
The high strength to weight ratio of steel framing allows features like high-stud walls in high wind zones and large spans to extend open interior spaces.
78mm wall frames can maximise room dimensions and make best use of space.
Wide spanning steel sections included in a design can provide large open plan living and walls can to be easily removed or added in the future as family circumstances change.
Steels superior strength to weight ratio provides the ability to design cantilevered ceilings that provide unrestricted spans in either internal or outdoor living areas.
