DEMYSTIFYING LIGHT STEEL FRAME CONSTRUCTION

Building with steel

Building with steel is not a new trend. In South Africa, steel frame construction has been popular for many
decades, particularly in commercial and industrial applications. In the housing market, steel has been used
structurally, in conjunction with masonry, concrete and stone. While globally residential light steel
construction (LSC) is popular, it has been slow to be used prominently in local markets.
This scenario is changing due to an increased awareness about its cost effectiveness, resulting from faster installation times
and greater environmental efficiencies during its life time. In this entry we will explore the Advantages and processes
involved in using light steel construction in upmarket housing. More importantly, we use it to address the aspects
of efficiency explored in this case study as well as the intent to create a refined contemporary home, by utilising state-ofthe-art building materials.

Advantages
Some myths about using light steel frames in housing, include those that say LSC does not compare to the
strength, robustness and durability of masonry construction. This section is aimed at busting those myths by
listing its Advantages.*
The two main Advantages for LSC versus other materials, are quality and efficiency. It is estimated that about 20% of the
construction costs could be saved using LSC as a more resourceful, efficient, and adaptable building construction. In
addition, this technology is suited to the needs of contemporary architectural solutions that employ available technologies to
create a quality finished product.
Quality
Complies with the rational design requirements of the National Building Regulations as well as the

SANS regulations.
It is a building technology that has been refined and shown to last, using top quality materials with
professional finishes.
Its increased strength means that larger open plan spaces can be achieved resulting in more usable
space and less material wastage.
Each structure is signed off by a structural engineer.
Steel frames have been designed to offer better fire resistance as well as more safety or earthquake
resistance (even allowing for some foundation movement without cracking).
Thermal insulation can be specified to be superior to conventional brick and mortar buildings.
Frames are assembled under controlled factory conditions.
Design elegance and the astute use of materials results in a thin and light architectural aesthetic that speaks to the
needs of contemporary homes.
The light construction and installation phase means that the building has less of a direct impact on the

local environment, leading to less disruption over a shorter period.

Efficiency
Speed: 30% of the construction time could be saved.
Accuracy: limited error as all junctions are exactly 90 and walls are straight .
Light weight: a steel framed with cladding offers a mass saving of 90% compared with a double skin

brick wall, thereby improving the material consumption.

Structure: foundations can be designed for less structural loading due to the low mass of walls.
Sloping sites: column foundations and suspended floors, reduce the cost of building.
Minimal waste of building materials.

Energy efficient: better thermal insulation results in lower energy costs (heating/ cooling) overtime.
The CSIR have conducted a study comparing LSC to masonry demonstrating LSC to be more energy
efficient.
Flexibility and adaptability: horizontal or vertical additions can changed easily, at any time.
Extra floor space: reduced thickness of external walls compared with a double skin brick wall.
Services: installed in wall cavities therefore easily retrofitted without damage to walls.
Shorter construction period and faster installation times.
Accurate cost budgets.
Endlessly recyclable materials.
Long-term robustness: Steel frames are not as susceptible to organic types of decay.
Optimal use of available resources, with long-term life spans and highly efficient future proofing and
low energy use, means that this method of construction leaves room for some adaptation in future,
without unnecessarily harming the environment, and while also improving the quality of life of its
users.

What is it and how does it work?

Light steel frame refers to the structural frame that creates the form and support of the house which is then
clad. The frame consists of structural wall frames and roof trusses, which are pre-manufactured off site from
cold-formed light galvanised steel sections. Cladding can consist of a single skin brick wall or SaintGobains Weber ETICS, fixed to the wall frames. Electricity and plumbing are installed within the wall
cavity created by the light steel frames, as is the insulation material.
During the design phase of the building process, the engineer will typically determine the structural requirements to carry
the loads of the building. These drawings and calculations would later be provided to the light steel contractor to specify
and design the light steel frames and trusses to match the architectural and engineering requirements. These are then
manufactured off-site in factory controlled conditions and with the highest level of accuracy (a few weeks of lead time
should be budgeted for), The frames are later transported to site (requiring much less transportation than traditional
materials) and require very little storage space. Within a few hours or days (depending on the site of the project) the frames
are assembled and secured on site.
Both the Advantages listed above and the process itself, result in a building technology that is not only efficient on many
scales, but also one that offers a quality solution to the housing market.