Renovating a home can be rewarding process and as an owner / builder, Carmine Masino knows first hand the challenges and obstacles of converting a home into a dream house.

After purchasing a home in Burwood East that was over 40 years old, Masino decided to renovate the existing single story house into a modern, double story home. Unsatisfied with the strength and durability of current timber framing, he decided to look for alternative and more sustainable materials.

Additionally, a strong, lightweight building material was needed to ensure Masino could work on converting the home whilst also being assured that the renovations would remain straight and true. Consequently, the decision was made to retrofit a steel frame made from TRUECORE® steel for the renovation and extension.

"I wanted a frame that offered excellent spanning capabilities, cross ventilation opportunities and a highly durable alternative to the existing hardwood timber frame in the house, so framing made from TRUECORE® steel was the obvious choice," said Masino.

"Working as an owner/builder I wanted a framing solution that would be quick and easy to install but also offer the durable qualities and reduced impact to the environment which using steel framing could provide."

By retrofitting a frame made from TRUECORE® steel to extend the ground floor and building a new second floor, Masino could create the new stylish, comfortable house that he had originally envisaged.

A house frame made from TRUECORE® steel frame is 100 per cent termite proof, with no need to apply chemical treatments, meaning the structural integrity of the new home would not be affected or damaged. Also, TRUECORE® steel is straight, true and flat with no warping, twisting or buckling at any stage of its life.

During construction, waste was minimised through the off-site fabrication of the frame. The steel frame is also well positioned to meet building regulations and construction environmental guidelines and 100 per cent of the TRUECORE® steel used in the frame can be recycled at the end of its service life.

"The environmental considerations of using a steel frame were a primary consideration," added Masino. "It made logical sense to use a material that was sustainable and recyclable whilst providing a strong, structural frame for many years to come."

Benefits of steel framing:

• Frames made from TRUECORE® steel are quick and easy to erect. Pre-fabrication and modern fixing techniques make construction simple meaning reduced labour time on site.

• A house frame made from TRUECORE® steel is 100 per cent termite proof, with no need to apply chemical treatments to the frame. Homeowners can rest assured that the structural integrity of their home will not be affected or damaged, even in termite prone areas.

• All steel made by BlueScope Steel includes recycled steel in its manufacture. 100 per cent of the TRUECORE® steel used in the home frame can be recycled at the end of its service life.

• Manufactured by BlueScope Steel and tested in Australia for Australian conditions, TRUECORE® steel has a warranty of up to 50 years*, so homeowners can enjoy peace of mind with the backing of BlueScope Steel, one of Australia's leading companies.

Case study courtesy of BlueScope Steel.