| November 27, 2006
LiteSteel® beam challenges hot rolled steel and wins
Cairns based architecture and construction specialists Circa 2000 have chosen the LiteSteel beam (LSB) product in place of traditional hot rolled steel beams for a residential project in Kewarra Beach, Cairns.
Circa 2000's modern tropical design called for the extensive use of steel throughout this three bedroom, two bathroom home.
"LSB provided significant savings throughout construction – in labour, in welding and in crane hire," explained Nic Granleese from Circa 2000.
LSB is ordered and delivered cut to exact lengths.
The high strength to weight ratio of LSB means lighter on-site handling without compromising on structural performance. It is usually around 40% lighter than hot rolled steel beams of similar capacity. This avoided the need to use cranes for all but three roof beams on this particular site, delivering cost savings.
Circa 2000 have steel framed their Kewarra Beach home using over 157 meters of LSB for floor and roof beams.
"Another big benefit is its connectivity," Mr Granleese said. "Floor beams were welded to posts with ease, triple grips were used to fix the joists to the floor beams, and the window frames were screwed to the beams without the screw threads being exposed.
"When we started we were looking for a better way to construct with steel. We've found what we were looking for with LSB." |
