1. How do steel frames and trusses compare in price to timber?
Generally speaking, compared to untreated timber, steel frames are about 15 to 20% more expensive. But in saying that, by purchasing a steel frame, you will save a lot of money in erection time both inside and out. With treated timber, our steel frames and trusses are about the same price. It has however absolute price advantage for its low manpower cost, short building period, low wastage and a low requirement on the building site even though the material cost is high in comparison to the building configured with timber and built to the same specification.
2. How different in construction is steel to timber?
The main difference in construction between steel and timber is the hand tools you need to use. Also steel frames are assembled using “tek” screws not nails. In regard to constructing the frames and trusses, it is very similar to a timber frame. Steel has many advantages over timber. It is nowhere near as heavy as timber, which is important when lifting larger frames and trusses, especially on two story buildings or on difficult sites. Also steel frames don't have much settlement or shrinkage problems like timber does, and is straighter and more exact giving you straighter walls to finish off your Gyprock plaster walling. Alterations to frame if you want to reposition a door or windows are simple. Studs can be moved without destroying them. There are no complicated jigs required to assemble our system.
3. How is your system put together?
Our system is a dimple and Tek screw system, one of the strongest systems in the market. It is used overseas in cyclone areas where wind speed ratings can reach W56. The BLiSS system meets wind loadings to AS/NZ1170 N3 and an earthquake class 9 to suit all New Zealand conditions.
4. Is a steel frame noisy? Does it expand or contract?
Our system is no noisier than a timber system. There are many reasons for a house to make noises, too many to list, but the frame is only a very small part. Also our steel frame doesn't expand or contract due to moisture content. Steel has a very similar co-efficient of thermal expansion to Gyprock, so cornice cracking is less than a problem.
5. What are the size and thickness of your studs?
Our component sizes are C89mm * 41mm * 0.7mm and C140 * 41mm * 1.5mm. It is built to Australian and New Zealand Standards AS/NZ 1170:2002, AS/NZ 4600:2005 and NASH standard 3405:2011. All cold rolled using the most advanced CAD design and Roll Forming machines from New Zealand. The BLiSS Home structure system uses 550 MPa Hi Tensile steel, which is more than double the strength of ordinary steel. It is then hot dipped in 55% aluminum 43.4% zinc and 1.6% silicon coated (150gm/m2). Called UNILUME, It lifetime is greater than 50 years. The BLiSS light steel structure system is the only UNILUME framing material to be used in New Zealand and saves more resources in meeting the strength and corrosion requirements of New Zealand.
6. What kind of service does your company provide?
BLiSS Group have professional design, production and construction teams for providing customized solutions while also providing various standard house plans to choose from. The company can deliver total consultation in all aspects of light steel building systems, including design, council planning requirements, council processing and on-site installation of the completed structure up to and including decoration etc. if required.
7. How do you handle the thermal insulation of a BLiSS light steel building?
Thermal insulation measures for the BLiSS home wall system generally adopted is with a foil backed glass wool insulation fitted into the steel frame. At the same time, the 12mm Orientated Strand Board Ridgid Air Barrier provides a thermal break. The air cavity between the cladding and main structure provides the wall with the effect of ventilation and thermal insulation. The wall thermal insulation design can be adjusted appropriately according to the local climate and environment, for the colder places we usually thicken the thermal insulation to increase the R value. In addition a BLiSS home is insulated under the floor, under the roofing, and in the ceiling space. Double glazed windows are standard.
8. How do you handle sound insulation of A BLiSS light steel building?
Bliss light steel houses have all internal wall steel frames filled with glass wool to provide some relevant sound insulation treatment between rooms. The floor uses a damping strip. These combined with the double glazed windows provide for a quiet home.
9. What are the foundation requirements of a BLiSS light steel building?
The self-weight of a BLiSS light steel house is quite light (about 25-40kg/m2), so the requirements for the foundation are not as high compare with traditional concrete building (150-350kgm2. The foundation construction may use the same construction method as a traditional building foundation; it only needs to make sure of the evenness of the foundation face to reach the design requirement. The company provides a dimensioned foundation plane drawing.