STEP 1: SITE PREPARATIONS
STEP 2: FOOTINGS
STEP 3: FRAMING
STEP 4: ROOF CLADDING
STEP 5: WALL CLADDING
STEP 6: LOCKUP AND FITOUT
STEP 7: HANDOVER
STEP 1: SITE PREPARATION
The first component of the construction phase involves removal of topsoil or refuse on the site. Soil testing is then undertaken to enable the size of the footings to be calculated accurately. If the site has a slope, some excavation may be required. The house is set out on the site, further excavation for footings is then carried out, the extent of which depends on the design for the house i.e. concrete slab or strip footings for a Steel floor system.
STEP 2: FOOTINGS
The footings are the foundations upon which the home shall be built on. Typical types of footings are either isolated (pads, piers and piles), continuous (strip footings), or integrated (raft and waffle slabs). Made of reinforced concrete, footings are designed to spread the superimposed loads from the structure above to the ground below.
STEP 3: FRAMING
The steel frame consists of BlueScope Truecore Zincalume steel and following calculations by the Nu-Steel engineering team, is delivered to site ready to erect. First the floor frame (if a suspended timber floor), then wall frame and finally the roof frame. Owner builders OR specialist erectors assemble the frame and ensure its stability meets the demanding standards set for your Nu-Steel home.
STEP 4: ROOF CLADDING
The roof is clad in either concrete or terracotta tiles OR Colorbond steel roofing. The choice is dependant on the aesthetic requirements of the client. Once the roof is in place the home is protected from inclement weather and the construction of the external wall cladding can begin.
STEP 5: WALL CLADDING
The cladding on the walls is defined as being the outer non-load bearing covering of the external walls of a framed building, applied for weatherproofing and sometimes decorative purposes. Nu-Steel houses can be clad in a range of claddings such as; face brickwork, rendered brickwork, weatherboard, Power-panel, Colorbond or rendered 'Hardi-Panel' (Hardi-Tex). A combination of any of the above can also be selected depending on the aesthetic feel wanted by the client.
STEP 6: LOCKUP AND FITOUT
A variety of tradesmen are involved in this component of the construction process, including plumbers, electricians, plasterboard fixers, plasterers, joiners, 2nd fix carpenters and other trades for the installation of heating/cooling. The internal walls are plastered after all wiring and insulation is completed. All works are prepared for inspection by the building supervisor.
STEP 7: HANDOVER
Following completion of fitout, the final component of the construction phase including tiling, painting, fit off of plumbing and electrical services is completed. At this time the entire building and surrounding site is cleaned, inspected and secured. The owners have the opportunity to conduct a final inspection of the entire project before the keys to the building are then handed over and the certificate of occupancy is issued.