Business Central July 2021

94 | BUILDING Kiwispan Taupo/Frazer Construction Showing the benefits of steel frames Dave says steel framing is straighter, lighter, and easier to work with than timber which creates multiple efficiencies on site. C reating his own new home with steel frame construction has allowed Taupo builder Dave Frazer to extend an op- portunity to other local builders, to see how it comes together and experience the benefits of steel construction in residential applications. “Any builder could build with it, but it’s a bit of an unknown for many,” he says. “Once we had the building wrapped and the roof was on, we held an open home for any- one to come and have a look, to get to know the product a bit better and ask any questions. “ People wanted to know how to fix the gib and it’s exactly the same as working with timber frames, you screw the gib to the steel just like you screw it to timber.” Dave says the steel frame is straighter, light- er, and easier to work with than timber which creates multiple efficiencies on site, and with pricing on a par, building with steel frames becomes more cost-effective. Steel frames don’t burn, and they also don’t have any mould or moisture problems which Dave says are currently being talked about in the industry by builders building with timber frames. “We’re hearing of builders who are standing up their timber frames then spending a week tyring to straighten them out. That seems to be one of the issues that’s cropping up at the moment.” Dave is in the steel industry with his owner- ship of KiwiSpan Taupo in addition to Frazer Construction, and between the two businesses he is able to turn out whatever building his clients require. Dave is a licensed builder with 30 years of experience in the industry. He prides himself on taking the hassle out of any building pro- ject, whether domestic or industrial, and utilis- es all of his skills, knowledge, and experience to ensure his clients’ contracts are completed to their ultimate satisfaction. Steel frames are so easy to work with that Dave is building his new home after hours and his wife helped him to stand up the frames. T Kelly Deeks The Frazer Construction crew are also on hand to help when the task requires more than Dave’s two hands. Once the frames were up, the structure was wrapped with rigid air barrier system IBS RigidRAP. Because the home is also being clad with steel, the IBS RigidRAP, an oriented strand board with poly- styrene on the inside edge and building paper on the outside edge, provides the required thermal break as well as protection from the weather during the building process. Dave is cladding his home with low-main- tenance, durable, but still sharp-looking Colorsteel. He has sourced his frames from the local Ezi Steel, which also provides all the framing for KiwiSpan Taupo. KiwiSpan Taupo provides long-lasting, high quality steel sheds, buildings, barns, shelters, and garages in the area that extends from around the Lake Taupo area, Turangi, Manga- kino, and across to Reporoa. 07 376 9333 info@ezisteel.co.nz www.ezisteel.co.nz EziSteel is Proud to support KiwiSpanNZ Taupo Roofing with Style