Question: I saw a large, traditional, steel-framed house erected and enclosed in only five days. When completed, the house looked like any other. Are these types of houses very efficient and well insulated? - H.R.
Answer: The number of steel-framed house kits being built is increasing exponentially and for good reasons. They are extremely strong (withstand 170-mph winds), energy efficient, rustproof (galvanized), fire and termite-resistant and simple to build.
Steel-framed house kits range in size from 1,200-square-foot bungalows to elegant, contemporary 5,000-square-foot mansions with vaulted ceilings, lofts, dormers, porches, etc. When completed with brick, siding or stucco exteriors, they look like a typically-built house.
Steel-framed houses are ideal for the do-it-yourself builder. All the steel framing members are predrilled, color-coded and numbered for your plans so they bolt together like a huge erector set. You can purchase just the steel framing components or a complete house package with windows, doors, etc.
These houses have superior energy efficiency for several reasons. First, steel framing produces a thicker wall than a standard wood studded wall. This provides room for up to nine inches of insulation (R-30).
Second, since steel has a high strength-to-weight ratio, framing members can be located on four or eight-foot centers instead of 16-inch centers. This provides nearly continuous insulation (fewer thermal bridges).
Third, steel-framed houses do not settle. This means that, in 10 or 20 years, the house will still be very airtight and the doors and windows will still be square and true.
Fourth, steel framing can span 60 feet without interior supporting walls. This allows for unlimited interior design and future remodeling. For passive solar or wood heating, the open design allows for better heat distribution.
A steel-framed house is typically built over a conventional poured concrete slab, foundation or basement with anchor bolts sticking up. Next, each I-beam framing assembly is bolted together on the ground.
Several men carry each lightweight frame assembly to the foundation and tilt it up over the anchor bolts. Each successive frame assembly is bolted to the foundation and to each other with connecting roof purlins.
Horizontal steel furring strips are attached to the exterior with self-tapping screws. Standard one-half-inch plywood sheathing is screwed on.
Write for Update Bulletin No. 712 - list of 11 steel-framed house and kit manufacturers, material and house specifications, and eight floor plan layouts and exterior diagrams. Please include $2 and a business-size SASE. Write to James Dulley, Deseret News, 6906 Royalgreen Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45244
Question: I recently replaced the old valve assembly inside a toilet. Now I have to double flush the toilet sometimes. Did I do something wrong or is the new valve designed to use less water? - I.G.
Answer: The new replacement valve assembly should not change the amount of water that is used per flush. This is controlled by the design of the tank and the flapper stopper valve in the tank bottom.
Check the tank water level. You may have it set too low. Make sure that you hooked the little flexible tube onto the overflow stack. This fills the bowl to form a water seal for proper flushing.