framing

[airmom]

http://www.eplans.com/image-gallery.hwx/Q/Plan.HWEPL00340/ImageId.198937
this is my floor plan and i'm trying to decide if i should go with a steel frame
the house is going to be built oceanfront
should this be a consideration?

[SDR]

Interesting design ! Any other pictures ? What is the floor made of ? Is the site flat or sloped ? I guess the central roof is pitched; are the bedroom wings flat-roofed ?

Hasn't the architect -- or the builder -- selected a framing system ?

SDR

[airmom]

http://shorefrontestates.ca/plot_plan_lrg.jpg
lots 7&8 are all mine
mostly flat treed
road along the front
atlantic ocean along the backside
the first builder i talked to suggested
a regular frame
but i've learned w/experience
sometimes a builder likes
to do what is easier for them
just wondering if anyone had any experience
w/steel frame
aside from all the glass
there will be fiber cement siding
and a slate roof
i think i assumed w/salt sea air steel might be the way to go
http://www.eplans.com/image-gallery.hwx/Q/Plan.HWEPL00340/ImageId.303303

[Madimel]

I thought the intent was for an ultra contemporary home. The shape reminds me of the homes in California in the late 60's early 70's.

[airmom]

the contemporary is the interior
i looked at more contemporary designs
but this house drew me back
stayed in my head till i gave in
and sent for the plans
i love this house
and all that glass is a must w/the views i have

[csintexas]

I don't know of any great advantage to using steel framing. Why?

[Madimel]

Steel frame construction for residential homes are popular in Hawaii because of issues with termites.

[airmom]

from what i understand there's less shifting,
warping, better for protecting against mold,
so i'm assuming my walls will be plumber? (more plumb)
than 2yrs later w/ wood frame
and greener as the steel is recycled

[lekizz]

Unless there is some compelling reason (e.g. termites) I would think that a steel frame would be rather a drastic and expensive option for a small house. The spans do not look excessive and I can quite easily imagine it being built using a wooden frame. But I suppose if you have a lot of expensive full height glazed panels then you may benefit from an accurate steel frame to fix them to. All-in-all it looks very much a do-able domestic sized building structure. Steel is hardly greener than wood by any stretch of the imagination, and wood is certainly warmer and more tactile material for inside your home.

[Madimel]

You can always request your builder to bid out the framing package for light gauge steel and wood, then you can compare the bid prices between the two. I've used a lot of steel framing before, but that was for commercial projects for code reasons (combustible material).

[SDR]

If the radial beams of this design weren't supported at the center by the chimney stack, I'd say there might be some justification for a steel frame. Even then, the hexagonal form with triangular roof planes seems very stable -- and this central pavilion is stabilized further by the bedroom wings.

Is this a tropical storm zone ?

SDR

[csintexas]

I don't think you would notice any difference between wood and steel as far as the quality of the structure. I don't think steel provides much better mold resistance. Both wood and steel are recyclable but it takes a lot more energy for steel.

The only advantage for steel I can think of is termite protection.

[Madimel]

I know this is a little off the subject. But since it is near the coast line, you have to really careful with your selections on windows and plumbing fixtures. All that salt air causes havoc to the finishes and window operation.

[SDR]

Excellent point. Stainless steel is the Cadillac way to go; brass and bronze are excellent too, of course.

SDR