Interesting building method utilizing light gauge steel frames from a mezzanine company and accelerated building tech panels.  Apply more commercial type construction to residential.  Can this be done cost effectively when building a  modern open style home?  Most of the custom homes like this seem to be very expensive.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KU6jMzD2kSE

http://www.blueskyhomesllc.com/content.html?page=2

Are you building in rock like they did? What is your situation?

I like it.  I suspect it will not compete with a more conventional build on price alone, but you can do some interesting things with steel.  For building in a remote location or if erection time is an issue, it has a lot to offer in certain circumstances.

Bruce

A few things are going to affect the cost. Some parts of the country use almost nothing but light gauge (cold formed) steeel. In those areas, the framing labor will be about the same. Material price is all over the place these days and the price of steel may really kick it up. Another item to consider, the steel studs transmit heat like crazy. you'll have to use a thicker wall for the same thermal equivelance. The best, of course, is to build it with a thermal break. But then it *really* gets expensive.

Nice to see comments from people who understand the materials. You are right that it is not intended to compete on price along. Steel is more expensive than wood, but we use a lot less material so the price is similar. The result is a better house that is built quicker with a lot less waste. About thermal conductivity - our wall supplier provides a panel that is completely thermally broken so all we had to do was use a few bucks worth of plastic around the doors and windows.

Robert Brada
Blue Sky Homes, LLC.

www.ecosteel.com or http://nsteel.com/res/ is another one

http://www.elementbuildings.us/

We manufacture a steel stud wall system that is fully encased with EPS. Although Steel is a more expensive construction material than wood, our prices are very competitive. Our philosophy is that Green construction should not have to cost you more. Our standard wall systems are 8" thick and provide true R36 insulation. We have developed our wall system to ensure that there is virtually no thermal bridging and that all the steel is kept to the inside of the wall. Our wall system is ready to be finished inside and out and will speed up the construction process considerably. Once you have factored the overall project costs including labor, most people save money using our system over conventional construction, and the structure is far more energy efficient. If anyone is unfamiliar with our product, I would urge you to check out our website. There are several companies that have similar technology and each system has its own advantages.

Steel construction can be cost-effective for residential construction, and we are here to prove it.

Building with a Pre-Insulated Steel Framing System is the most economical way to build! The cost for custom homes very little from a standard conventional home, other than size and amount of materials.

You save in so many ways. Yes, steel cost more than wood but you will not end up with a 20% waste factor from cut offs, no warping, no termites, no mold, or mildew, they also do not contribute fuel in a fire. They do have a complete “Thermal Break” nor do they loose their R-Value over time. You will cut your labor and time it takes to build in 1/2". You then will have a very healthy building. Our panels contain no toxic chemicals, no formaldehyde, HCFC’s or CFC’s. With the standard panel weighing between 1.5 to 2.5 lbs/sq ft, there is no need for heavy equipment. The savings go on………take a look at our web site www.KwikBuildPanels and if you have more questions please email me @ [email protected]

Thank you,

David

KWIK-BUILD PANELS WALL ASSEMBLY

Polycore building systems have long life with minimal maintenance....

Here is an updated photo of a Polycore build. The image below is about 5 years old and shows a wooden header above the window. Polycore Canada Inc has worked hard to adapt our product to eliminate all thermal bridging and reduce the use of lumber. Notice the use of a metal lintel plate replacing a conventional wooden header.

Pre-Insulated Steel Framing Systems

Our panels are manufactured in a molded process with the studs set in a horizontal plane with the bottom and top track. This unique process of manufacturing our panels has given our panels its strength.

We have meet Florida’s Metro-Dade County Protocol PA 201 & 203 – Criteria for Testing Products Subject to Large Missile Impact Test and for Cyclic Wind Pressure Loading, along with Protocol PA 202, criteria for Testing Impact and Non-Impact Resistant Building Envelope Components.

We have our UL rating of Flame Spread 5-10 (Class A) with Smoke Developed 55-175 (Class A) and approved by the California State Fire Marshall’s Office as a 1 & 2 Hr Fire-Rated Assembly for use in California. Along with those items we have our ICC-ES approvals and is an approved assembly for use in HUD projects.

This Energy Star product has been tested in real life conditions. In the Caribbean, they survived 10 hours of 175 mph hurricane force winds, with minor damage. Two panels were damage when a 40 ft trash container was thrust into the side of the building by the winds. There was no water damage to the building and multi-million dollar transmitter inside, suffered no damage.

If you’re looking for strength, durability, quality and a healthy building, look at Pre-Insulated Steel Framing Systems. For more information please visits us at our website www.KwikBuildPanels.com

Thank you,

David

MY SINCERE APOLOGIES! I had forgotten all about this type of product. I haven't worked with it myself for a while, so I guess I'm showing my age by forgetting things. There is a lot to be said about this type of panel, mostly for the good. I've unfortunately never been able to watch them being constructed, but I would sure like to. I'm sure I could learn a lot. Even when using ICFs, they make a very good roof system.

see six videos of this 3 story steel panel home


http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.channel&channelID=468602158

Does anyone know if there is anyone in east central saskatchewan who sells or installs one of these products?

Try  http://www.kingspan.com/

Polycore Canada is owned and operated in Edmonton Alberta. We will ship projects across North America and have completed several projects overseas. We would have no problem to send projects to Saskatchewan. Catsledder feel free to PM me if you would like additional information.