This is probably the most common question we receive about steel framing, and it's important to understand both the initial costs and the long-term value proposition. 

Yes, the upfront material cost of TRUECORE® steel framing can be 10-20% higher than treated pine timber framing, depending on the specific design of your home. However, this initial cost difference needs to be considered in the context of total cost of ownership over the life of your home—typically 50+ years. 

Steel framing eliminates the need for expensive chemical termite barriers (saving $2,000-$5,000 initially), ongoing annual termite inspections (saving $200-$300 per year), and potential termite treatment or structural repairs (which can cost $10,000 to $100,000+ if termites are discovered). Steel's dimensional stability means you'll avoid the costs associated with doors and windows that stick due to frame movement, cracks in walls and ceilings, and eventual structural repairs. 

Many insurance companies offer reduced premiums for steel-framed homes due to their superior fire resistance, providing ongoing savings. When you factor in these long-term savings, superior durability, and better resale value, steel framing is actually the more cost-effective choice for most homeowners. 

You're not just buying a framing system—you're investing in decades of maintenance-free structural performance and peace of mind.

This is another frequently asked question, and it reflects a common concern about steel's high thermal conductivity. 

It's true that steel is an excellent conductor of heat—far better than timber—which creates what engineers call "thermal bridging" where heat can transfer through the steel frame members. However, this doesn't mean steel-framed homes are less energy-efficient. 

Modern building practices have developed effective strategies to eliminate thermal bridging and ensure steel-framed homes perform just as well as or better than timber-framed homes in terms of energy efficiency. 

At The Markon Group, we use advanced insulation systems that include thermal breaks between the steel frame and the wall linings. These thermal breaks are typically foam or fibre-based materials that interrupt the thermal pathway through the steel. We also use high-performance bulk insulation (such as polyester or glasswool batts) in the wall cavities and reflective foil insulation on the exterior of the frame. 

When properly designed and installed, these insulation systems ensure that steel-framed homes easily meet or exceed the energy efficiency requirements of the National Construction Code (NCC). In fact, the precision and consistency of steel framing actually helps us achieve better insulation performance because there are no gaps, splits, or irregularities in the frame where insulation might be compressed or gaps might occur. 

Your steel-framed home will be comfortable year-round, with lower heating and cooling costs than comparable timber-framed homes.

This is a common misconception about steel framing that we want to address directly and honestly. 

Yes, steel does expand and contract slightly in response to temperature changes—this is a physical property of all materials, including timber. However, the amount of thermal movement in steel is actually quite small, and modern construction techniques effectively eliminate any noise associated with this movement. 

The key is proper installation. When steel frames are correctly fixed to the foundation and structure, with appropriate expansion joints and fastening methods, there is no audible movement or noise.

 At The Markon Group, our installers are trained specifically in steel frame installation best practices, including the proper use of fasteners, connection methods, and expansion provisions that prevent noise. In fact, many of the "noises" that homeowners attribute to framing are actually caused by other factors—roof trusses expanding and contracting, house settling on foundations, or timber flooring moving—and these occur in both timber and steel-framed homes. 

We've built a significant quantity  of steel-framed homes in Southeast Queensland, and noise has never been a reported issue from our clients. When you visit completed Markon Group homes or speak to our past clients, you'll find that steel-framed homes are quiet, comfortable, and indistinguishable from timber-framed homes in terms of everyday living experience.

One of the often-overlooked advantages of steel framing is its positive impact on construction timelines. 

TRUECORE® steel frames are prefabricated in controlled factory conditions using precise engineering data from your approved plans. 

This means that when the frame arrives on site, every member is cut to exact length, all holes for services (plumbing, electrical) are pre-punched, and the frame can be erected quickly and efficiently. 

A typical residential steel frame can be erected in 2-3 days, compared to 5-7 days for a comparable timber frame that requires on-site cutting, fitting, and adjustment. The precision of steel framing also means fewer problems and delays during subsequent trades. 

When walls are perfectly straight and square, installers of windows, doors, cladding, and internal linings can work more efficiently with fewer problems and delays. 

There's no waiting for wet timber to dry out, no discovery of twisted or bowed studs that need to be replaced, and no structural problems that require engineer review and redesign. 

While the overall construction timeline depends on many factors beyond just framing, most steel-framed homes can be completed 2-4 weeks faster than equivalent timber-framed homes. 

This means you can move into your new home sooner, and you'll save money on construction financing and temporary accommodation costs during the build.

TRUECORE® steel is backed by BlueScope's comprehensive 50-year warranty for residential applications when the steel is used in accordance with their published guidelines and Australian Standards. 

This warranty covers the structural performance of the steel itself and the integrity of the protective coating system (galvanised or Zincalume®) against perforation due to corrosion. 

This is one of the longest and most comprehensive warranties available in the Australian building industry—far exceeding the typical warranties offered for treated timber framing.

 The warranty is backed by BlueScope, a company with over 100 years of steel manufacturing expertise and an excellent reputation for standing behind their products. It's important to understand that this warranty reflects BlueScope's confidence in TRUECORE® steel based on decades of real-world performance data and extensive corrosion testing in harsh Australian environments. The 50-year period isn't arbitrary—it's based on scientific evidence that TRUECORE® steel will maintain its structural integrity and corrosion resistance for at least this long when properly installed and maintained. 

For you as a homeowner, this warranty provides both peace of mind and financial protection. If there were ever a structural failure or corrosion perforation of your steel frame within the 50-year warranty period (which is extremely unlikely), BlueScope will take responsibility for remedying the problem. 

This level of protection is simply not available with timber framing, where warranties are typically limited to manufacturing defects and don't cover natural deterioration, pest damage, or dimensional changes.

This is an excellent practical question that many homeowners ask, and the answer is absolutely yes—in fact, it's often easier and more secure to fix heavy items to steel frames than to timber frames. 

TRUECORE® steel studs provide excellent fixing points for all types of wall-mounted items, from kitchen cabinets and bathroom vanities to large flatscreen TVs and heavy artwork. The key is using the right fixings for the application. For heavy items, we use self-drilling screws that are specifically designed for steel framing. 

These screws have a drill point that easily penetrates the steel and creates a strong, secure connection. The steel itself is much stronger than timber, so the fixing points won't pull out or weaken over time the way timber can.

 For extremely heavy items like large kitchen cabinets or stone benchtops, we can specify the location of extra steel studs or noggins during the design phase to ensure there's adequate support exactly where you need it. Many homeowners who have lived in both timber and steel-framed homes actually prefer steel because the fixing points are more predictable (steel studs are typically spaced at exactly 450mm or 600mm centres, unlike timber which can vary) and more secure. 

We provide all our clients with a frame plan that shows the exact location of every stud and nogging, making it easy to locate fixing points for future renovations or installations. 

You'll have no problems hanging anything you want on your steel-framed walls—the structure is more than capable of supporting typical and even exceptional residential loads.

This question is particularly relevant for Southeast Queensland homeowners, especially those building near the coast where salt-laden air can accelerate corrosion of metal components. 

TRUECORE® steel is specifically engineered and tested for Australian coastal conditions, making it an ideal choice for Queensland's subtropical climate. The steel is protected by a metallurgically bonded coating of zinc-aluminium alloy (either Galvanised or Zincalume®) that provides exceptional corrosion resistance even in harsh coastal environments. 

This isn't a paint or surface treatment that can chip or wear off—it's an integral part of the steel that's applied during the manufacturing process at high temperatures, creating a protective barrier that bonds at the molecular level to the steel substrate. 

BlueScope conducts extensive corrosion testing on TRUECORE® steel in real-world coastal environments, and the results demonstrate excellent performance even in severe exposure conditions. Unlike timber, which readily absorbs moisture from Queensland's humid air (leading to swelling, warping, mould growth, and eventual rot), steel is completely unaffected by atmospheric humidity. Steel doesn't absorb water, doesn't swell or shrink with humidity changes, and provides no food source for mould or fungus. 

This moisture resistance is particularly important during the construction phase—timber frames exposed to Queensland's frequent rain during construction can absorb significant moisture that may not fully dry out for months or years, leading to ongoing problems with dimensional stability and potential mould issues. 

Steel frames are unaffected by weather exposure during construction, so the frame you move into is exactly as manufactured—dry, straight, and ready to perform for decades without moisture-related deterioration. 

For coastal Queensland homeowners, TRUECORE® steel provides confidence that your home's structure will withstand our challenging climate without the deterioration, pest problems, and maintenance issues that plague timber-framed homes.

Absolutely—in fact, steel framing is particularly well-suited to two-storey construction and multi-level homes. TRUECORE® steel's high strength-to-weight ratio means it can easily support the loads imposed by upper floors without requiring oversized members or additional support walls. 

This structural efficiency translates to design freedom—we can create open-plan living spaces on the ground floor without a forest of support columns, and we can cantilever upper floor elements for dramatic architectural effects that would be difficult or impossible with timber framing. 

Steel's dimensional stability is particularly important in two-storey construction. When the lower floor frame is supporting upper floor loads, any movement, warping, or compression of the framing members can cause problems with door and window operation, cracks in linings, and uneven floors. 

Timber frames in two-storey homes are particularly prone to settlement and movement as the timber gradually compresses under load and continues to dry out after construction. 

Steel frames don't compress, shrink, or change dimensions under load, so your two-storey home will maintain its structural geometry and performance long-term. For extensions and additions to existing homes, steel framing offers significant advantages. Because steel members can span longer distances with smaller section sizes, we can often add extensions without requiring extensive foundation work or structural support for the existing building. 

Steel framing also makes it easier to match new work to existing building levels and alignments because of its precision and adjustability. 

Whether you're building a new two-storey home or planning a future extension, TRUECORE® steel provides the structural performance, design flexibility, and long-term reliability that multi-level construction demands.

One of the most attractive features of TRUECORE® steel framing is that it requires essentially zero maintenance throughout the life of your home.

 Unlike timber framing, which may require treatment for termites, replacement of rotted members, repairs to warped or twisted studs, or treatment for fungal growth or insect damage, steel framing is maintenance-free. 

The protective coating on TRUECORE® steel is designed to last for the design life of the building without any maintenance or reapplication. You don't need to paint it, treat it, inspect it for pests, or worry about deterioration. 

The steel is protected from corrosion by its metallurgically bonded coating, and because it's hidden within your walls, it's not subject to UV degradation, physical damage, or weathering. What does this mean in practical terms? Lower lifetime costs, less disruption to your home and lifestyle, and peace of mind that your home's structure will perform as designed for decades without intervention. 

You'll never need to arrange access for termite inspectors to examine your frame, never need to budget for pest treatments or barrier renewals, and never face the anxiety of wondering whether termites or rot are silently compromising your home's structure. Your maintenance efforts can be focused on the cosmetic and functional aspects of your home—painting, landscaping, appliance replacement—rather than fundamental structural concerns. For busy families, this maintenance-free performance is invaluable. 

You can focus on living in and enjoying your home rather than constantly maintaining its structure. 

And when it comes time to sell, you can honestly tell potential buyers that your home has a steel frame that's as good as the day it was installed, with decades of trouble-free performance still ahead.