The construction process is fairly straight forward. After financing and a plot of land has been acquired and all building plans have been drawn-up and approved, a steel frame is fabricated in a factory according to exact specifications far superior to anything achievable by using bricks or concrete. This frame is composed of a light gauge, cold-rolled steel typically between 0.58 and 0.8 millimetres thick which pass through a series of dies to create framing members that are bolted together. The framing members are quick to make, are stronger, straighter and lighter and cost much less than timber frames or traditional methods using brick-and-mortar.
Some of the advantages of using a light steel frame are as follows:
· Light Steel Frames offers architects and builders precise designing accuracy and greater flexibility than masonry
· Provides greater durability to natural disasters
· Steel framing members are fastened using nuts and bolts that are considered to be permanent fasteners that won’t loosen over time, compared to nails in timber framing that are considered to be temporary fasteners
· Zinc-chromium galvanized steel is durable and does not decompose or rot over time. No problems with termites, carpenter ants, rodents etc.
· Steel is fire-resistant
· Steel framing is non-toxic and offers greater tolerance for people with hypersensitive allergies