Giving The Block inner strength

Frames made from TRUECORE® steel have a very impressive strength-to-weight ratio (ok, in everyday-speak, that means they’re lightweight and strong). That has all sorts of benefits. Transporting the frames is easier (particularly if you’re going all the way to Daylesford). Moving them around the building site is simple – two labourers can easily pick up and carry a frame, even in places with some restricted access. It’s interesting to note that Daylesford’s hot summers and cold winters meant that wider insulation batts were needed – it was a simple step to increase the width of the framing members to 140mm to achieve it, and the frames were still easy for two people to lift into place.

Note that the strength of the TRUECORE® steel makes impressively long spans possible – that means bigger openings for doors and windows overlooking the beautiful rolling hills of Daylesford that would normally require the addition of expensive structural steel for support.

Three of the five houses on this year’s Block have high pitched roofs, with walls soaring more than four metres into the air. Frames made from TRUECORE® steel are precision engineered to be straight and true (and to stay that way), so they were able to get a beautiful finish without plasterers having to do lots of extra packing, planing and straightening to achieve it. Again, that’s a time saver, which is definitely money, as The Block contestants quickly realised. The vast expanses of the magnificent cathedral ceilings are also a great demonstration of the precision accuracy and strength of the TRUECORE® steel supporting them – it’s a real wow factor. This laser-like accuracy is just as important in the Block’s two flat roofed houses, with big spans achieving similarly impressive precision.

Another timesaver for the trades (and on The Block, they certainly need it) is the fact that frames made from TRUECORE® steel come with pre-punched service holes. Plumbers and sparkies don’t have to drill – pipes and wires just feed straight through those pre-punched openings.

This year in The Block, house designs evolved as the competition heated up - and TRUECORE® steel was up to the challenge. Contestants simply worked with their builder to make sure room layouts met their designs and making changes with their TRUECORE® steel frames was easy to execute.

The frames made from TRUECORE® steel haven’t just contributed to the good looks and spectacular architectural achievements of this year’s Block houses. These strong, durable frames won’t catch fire – that’s an important consideration when building in areas at risk of bushfires. Oh, and being termite proof is another big plus worth remembering.

No matter where you’re building in Australia, there are all sorts of innovative ways a house frame made from TRUECORE^® steel can benefit both the design and build of your new home. Find a supplier near you, or find out more on the advantages of TRUECORE® steel.