Facing a new constructive system, may create some doubts on technicians and architects:
Some times, architects and tecnicians- who know the steel construction system and its advantages- wander how their clients may react in face of changes offered, knowing these changes may imply modifications to traditional systems of construction, in our country.
The following are usual questions made by prospective clients to constructors of industrialised light systems.
These questions may be useful to know habitual resistence against these constructive methods.
As in many other fields, offering this construction system will only be possible by provinding ample information and a good after-sales service.
Is it possible to build any type of home or should I restrict myself to similar houses extracted from a catalog?
This system allows complete flexibility of designs: any proyect can be made- from the simpliest to the most complex one- of one or more storeys.
Ducktail roofs, bow windows, skylights, can be built by means of this system. At the same time, this type of construction allows any kind of external siding, including brick façades, and any other type of coating or paneling, wall paper, painting, ceramic tiles etc.
The architect may design without restriction. It is not necessary to modify dimensions since more advantages can be obtained from the system if the technician knows how to modify the internal structure which is fixed every 0.40 or 0.60m. depending on the chosen model. At the same time, large lights such as garage double doors, sliding doors, etc can be planned.
Nowadays, there are different enterprises which offer their products by catalogs with a wide variety of models and different designs.
Is it possible to make enlargements to the House?
This system allows enlargement which is simplier if it was foreseen in the original proyect. In any case, having them been foreseen or not, enlargement tasks are simplier in comparison to traditional construction. Work is simplier compared to traditional construction since wet materials are not necessary. This allows people to keep on living in the house while repairs are in progress.
What happens when a pipe needs repairing? Do I have to hire specialised workers?
Repairs are simple, and as in many other countries, repairs may be made, in general, by their owners. Simply, after having detected the leakage, the plasterboard section to be repaired must be cut out and removed, with a hand saw. Once the problem is solved, a cut a smaller piece of plasterboard and fix it to the panels with special putty, then apply adhesive tape all over the gasket, then cover it again with putty and then sand it down to provide uniformity. After that, the affected section can be painted or papered again. All this procedure is fulfilled without producing any debris, keeping the place perfecly proper.
Besides, in this system, it is easier to detect leakage because humidity spots are directly produced within the real affected zone. This is one of the big differences from traditional construction system where humidity may appear at a certain distance from where the real problem lays, forcing big openings in order to detect the leakage.
Even if repairing procedure is relatively easy, one can resort to enterprises dedicated to plasterboards who may fix the affected zone.
Does this type of constructions resist storms and earthquakes?
In this system, structure is resistent and is generally made of galvanized steel studs in C and U sections, varying from 0.90 up to 2.00 mm.
The structure should be calculated according to National (CIRSOC) or International (American Iron and Steel Institution) Laws. The latter states which are the minimun thickness of steel, quantity and type of screws necessary per joint etc. In any of these cases, thickness of steel studs or sections are prepared to resist strong winds and earthquakes according to what the law states. As illustrative data, after hurricane Andrew´s passage throughout the south of Florida in 1992, it was proved that those houses, which had best resisted the effects of strong winds, were those having steel structure.
At the same time, reduced weight of this kind of structures, makes steel houses the most appropriate against the effects of winds.
What happens during fires?
Both glassfiber and plasterboards used inside panels are fireproof and comply with all international regulations and local IRAM laws as to fire protection. Using steel structure, instead of wood, avoids fire spreading through the structure. US Insurance Companies reduce their premiums in more than 25% for steel made houses, in comparison to houses made of wood.
Is it possible to add security elements such as wrought iron on windows and doors, roll-up-blinds?
There is absolutely no problem to mount security elements. It is even possible to use solid bricks as external siding and ceramic tile roofing.
What happens to steel studs with humidity? Is there any risk of corrosion? Are they durable houses?
Structural studs are made of galvanized steel, that is to say, steel covered with a pure zinc sheath on both sides. This coating protects poles from corrosion. In our national systems, all metal sheet used have a zinc coating of 270 gr/m2, which is superior to the systems used by EEUU regulations. Moreover, studs are locked inside the wall panel, without any contact with the internal or external environment. studs are insulated with waterproof insulation material and an interior vapour barrier respectively, therefore, as there is no internal humidity, there is no risk of corrosion.
If a leakage occurs, I.e: from a water pipe, the amount of zinc used on poles is enough to protect the pole from corrosion. Remember the zinc sheathing used is the same as that used for roof panels which are constantly submitted to the action of rain. All this protection assures steel houses durability which is comparable to that of traditional houses.
Do these houses need more maintenance than traditional houses?
They need the same maintenance as traditional houses.
Can these houses be mortgaged?
The house can not be dismantled and newly erected in any other place without important losses as to the sheathing and boards. That is why they can be mortgaged. As an example, the National Mortgage Bank from Argentina admits the transference of mortgages from these houses to their securitization business and mortgage-backed securities. In the USA, this kind of construction is also elegible to mortgage even for terms superior to 20 years.
What about their reselling price?
As any other house, the reselling price is related to the age and state of conservation of the house. Thus, with similar level of maintenance as those given to traditional houses, the reselling value is the same.
