A-Z of Self Build Guides Steel Frame Houses

Date Published:

26/01/2009

Picture almost any iconic building – the Gherkin in London, the Burj al Arab tower in Dubai, and Frank Gehry’s museum in Bilbao – and the chances are it will be a part steel construction. But it’s not only engineers building commercial buildings that utilise the material. Increasingly, steel is used in the construction of residential homes both by housebuilders and self-builders. Why should you choose it?

By Gordon Miller

Why Choose Steel Frame?

Chris Kane, build director of Greendale Construction, a medium sized general building contractor that was established in Poole, Dorset, in 1989, says, 'There are many good things about steel which makes it a fantastic choice for building with. For example, construction of a steel frame on site can be very quick because the fabrication is all done beforehand. Steel is also lightweight compared to masonry or brickwork. Another huge advantage of steel is that it is a lot more flexible in terms of design which means that the architecture of the building can be a lot more interesting and unusual.'

A prime example of just what can be done with steel that can’t be undertaken with a timber construction is the aforementioned Gherkin - properly known as the Swiss Re Tower at 30 St Mary’s Axe. Given the soubriquet the Gherkin because of its tall, rounded, pickle-like shape, the steel and glass tower won the Special Steel Award (Detail 2004), as well as several other awards, including the prestigious RIBA Stirling Prize in 2004.

Kane says, 'A design concept that is growing in popularity is to use glass with steel – as in the Gherkin but also in many homes too – which again is perfectly possible because of the flexibility of steel. The Gherkin proves that there is no one way a steel building should look. Steel is like the skeleton of a building so the outside can look however the architect wishes in terms of brickwork and cladding.'

One example where Greendale Construction has built a house using steel is a modern two-storey extension to an existing farmhouse in Fordingbridge, Devon. Forest Brook Farm is a minimalist design building with oak floors, aluminium curtain walling, zinc and slate roof coverings. A part-refurbishment with the construction of balconies with curved glass, the large house has extensive decking and a new outdoor heated swimming pool.