Steel To Protect Investment

Location:	Brisbane, Queensland
Country:	Australia
Builder:	AVJennings
Products Used:	TRUECORE® steel

To the dismay of Brisbane's termite community, steel house frames have been appearing at new housing development, VivaCalamvale, in the city's south.

All 83 residences being created by property developer AVJennings, will have frames made from TRUECORE® steel because of their strength, resistance to termites and warranty of up to 50 years*.

Not traditionally a conscious decision of homebuyers, house frames are now a point of difference amongst discerning customers with those made of steel rocketing in popularity.

"Homebuyers want to know that their homes, which are typically their largest investments, are going to be protected so the quality of building materials we use has to ensure that," said Geoff Taylor, AVJennings' General Manager for Integrated Housing QLD.

"Steel frames are lightweight and durable, they won't twist or rot, and they can't be eaten by termites. They consequently form a safe and desirable core to people's homes", he said. "We then back that up with all our other materials as we build out and complete the properties."

With 36 houses already built in stage one of the development, more steel frames will be emerging in the coming months during stage two. Houses at VivaCalamvale include attached townhouses in duplex and triplex designs. Each of the houses features three bedrooms, double or single garage plus carport, ensuite, bathroom and powder room, built in robes, under cover outdoor patio and landscaping.

Supplying the house frames to VivaCalamvale is South-East Steel Frames, which operates across Queensland and the Northern Territory, where nature's elements can be tough on buildings.

"Traditionally a house frame was an automatic decision," said Craig Cooper of South-East Steel Frames, "but now it forms an important part of the actual marketing, especially with steel which gives the homeowners themselves such obvious benefits, like it not being edible to termites!"

South-East Steel Frames is also popular with builders because of its unique ability to incorporate steel of different thickness to suit the builder and the specific house design.

"Modern design tends to favour house frames made from TRUECORE® steel because of the flexibility it offers," explained Craig. "Being lightweight and very strong, it has excellent spanning capabilities making open plan and spacious designs easier to build. Offering frames of different thickness gives us greater flexibility to provide the varying solutions for varying designs."

According to Geoff Taylor: "VivaCalamvale is an exciting housing opportunity with plenty of potential and promise for homebuyers. Not just in terms of the houses themselves, but also the facilities on offer including recreational area, swimming pool and barbecue facilities. To that end, we've made sure that the quality that starts with the steel frames continues right through to give homebuyers a high quality, exciting and enviable lifestyle."

* For warranty information, please view our page: TRUECORE® Steel Warranty