Metal frame frame house: advantages and disadvantages of structures

For a long time, there has been a biased attitude to the frame houses of metal profiles. It was believed that prefabricated structures of the profiles can not be warm and durable, they are not suitable for living. Today, the situation has changed, the frame houses of this kind cause an increasing interest of the owners of country plots.

Metalframe facilities, originally used for the construction of warehouses and retail facilities, are now used in private housing. The basis of the frame house made of metal profiles is light, but durable construction of galvanized steel. The thickness of the profiles is calculated individually for each part of the object and depends on the tested loads.Steel profiles provide the structure with the necessary strength, the zinc coating acts as an anti-corrosion protection, guaranteeing the durability of the structure. In order to increase reliability, profiles are supplemented with special stiffening ribs.

Profiles can have a cross section in the form of various Latin letters (C, S and Z). Each of them is used in a particular construction site. For example, the base is laid out using C and U profiles connected with self-tapping screws. The pitch of the frame is determined by the width of the used heaters and panels for plating. On average, it is 60-100 cm. The profiles have perforations, which solves the problem of ventilation, increases the insulating characteristics of the object.

They are assembled according to the principle of a children's designer, the construction process itself does not involve the use of special equipment (unless, to create the foundation). Having minimal construction skills, you can do it yourself with a small number of assistants (2-3 people) to build a house. Due to the insignificant thickness of the walls of the frame house (an average of 25-30 cm) it is possible to obtain a larger usable area than when using standard technologies (houses made of timber, bricks, blocks).

At first glance it seems that the frame metal houses look unattractive and monotonous. However, this is absolutely not true, because due to the ease of construction and the ability to give it a different configuration, it is possible to create objects of unusual shape. The structural features allow the use of most modern hanging materials for exterior walls, which can be changed if necessary. At will, the facade of a metal-frame frame house can imitate stone and wood surfaces, brickwork.

The lining can be carried out immediately after the construction of the object, since the frame on the basis of the metal profile does not shrink. The advantage is the high speed of work. Usually a house for a small family can be built in 2-4 months. At the same time, most of the time will be spent preparing the foundation and waiting until the concrete that has been poured in will pick up the necessary strength. Among the inhabitants there is a mistaken opinion about the instability of frame houses. However, this design can withstand significant wind loads and even is able to withstand the seismic activity period (its resistance is up to 9 on the Richter scale).

Another “myth” about frame houses is associated with its ability to attract electricity. From this point of view, frame objects are completely safe - all metal elements are grounded. In addition, the outer and inner steel parts are treated with dielectrics. Among the disadvantages are high thermal conductivity of the material. Therefore, it is impossible to do without high-quality insulation and metal protection from moisture vapor.

The use of ecowool or mineral wool insulation, as well as the installation of warm facing panels, allows you to optimize the thermal efficiency of the frame house, prevents the formation of cold bridges. Frame houses on the basis of the metal profile can not boast of durability. Their service life is 30-50 years. Although it is true that the repair of such structures is quite simple, it does not require large investments.

The metal profile itself is fire resistant. However, the material is sheathed inside and out with a variety of synthetic insulants, vapor insulators, finishing materials.This can significantly reduce the fire safety of the frame house. The cost of building a frame house is much lower than the prices for the construction of a brick, wooden and even block analogue.

This is due to the smaller amount of material required, the possibility of using a lightweight foundation, the lack of involvement of special equipment and professional builders. The frame house can be made on an individual or standard project. Of course, the first option will be more expensive, but will allow you to create exclusive housing that meets all the requirements of its owner.

Metal frame houses can have several varieties.

Such a house is characterized by the presence of metal columns on which the whole structure rests. The technology of construction is similar to the monolithic-frame construction. However, the metal columns used for the profile technology are lighter and cheaper than reinforced concrete foundations.Most skyscrapers and shopping centers were built in this way. In private housing construction, this technology may be unnecessarily time consuming and expensive.

As a rule, they resort to it if it is necessary to create an “iron” design house of unusual sizes. Using this technology, it is possible to conduct construction of a dome or multi-storey facility. Often around such a house are located decorative architectural elements of irregular shape. In most cases, these are masked tube elements of the frame. The house on a welded frame made of rolled metal profile is characterized by the greatest weight among frame analogues of the same size, but it also has the longest service life, which reaches 50-60 years.

The basis of such a house frame is thin-walled metal structures that are visually similar to profiles for drywall. Naturally, the frame elements have a much greater margin of safety. Of the advantages of such buildings, it is possible to note their lower weight, which saves on the preparation of the foundation and optimizes the construction budget.Although the reduced weight of the structure turns into a decrease in the life of the house.

A technology developed for the construction of temporary or seasonal objects (summer crowns, kitchens). It is applicable in the construction of a country house for living in the warm season. The building is based on modules, the frame of which is combined and consists of metal and wood. Mobile buildings involve the installation of a rigid metal frame as a frame. During the construction of a temporary facility and a two-storey country house it is necessary to create a project plan.

The construction of a frame house begins with the study of soil features at the construction site and the creation of a 3D project of the future structure. Three-dimensional image allows you to calculate the required bearing capacity of the main structural elements, arrange them in compliance with the spatial geometry. After that, the order is sent to the factory, where profiles with the required technical characteristics, shapes and dimensions are made for a specific project.Components for a frame house can be assembled at the factory or do it yourself at the construction site.

The first option will be somewhat more expensive, but then it will take no more than 4-6 days to assemble the house. When self-assembly will save a little, but the duration of the assembly will stretch to 7-10 days. After preparation and coordination of the project, you can proceed to the organization of the foundation. Any type of it will do; the option of a strip foundation or the use of a shallowly recessed plate as the base is considered optimal. After the foundation has gained a margin of safety, proceed to the assembly of the metal frame of the house. The next stage is roofing, installation of windows and doors and laying of communication.

Roofing should also be determined at the design stage. It can be flat, single, gable (the most popular options) or characterized by a complex configuration. When organizing the roof, first prepare the truss system, and then proceed to the creation of crates. Next, perform laying steam and waterproofing layers, lay roofing (slate, Ondulin, metal).

Before insulation, a wind-proof film should be laid over the entire surface of the external contour of the house. Heat insulation material is put on it, after which it is the turn of the installation of the facing layer. Usually all wall gaps are filled with foam or gas concrete. Perhaps spraying polyurethane foam. When using sandwich panels, initially having a heater in the composition, you can not worry about additional thermal insulation of external walls.

As a rule, frame houses from a metal profile are subject to warming from within. To this end, the walls are laid with a layer of heat insulator, which is covered with a vapor barrier membrane. Next, plasterboard sheets are fixed on the crate, plaster and facing material are put on top of them. Heat blocks that do not require additional thermal insulation and are ready for applying paint or plaster are widely used as exterior cladding.

For a frame house, any type of foundation is suitable. However, this does not mean that you can choose it without resorting to a preliminary study of the soil.Choosing the type of foundation, you should always focus on the features and characteristics of the soil. It is necessary to conduct his research at different times of the year. The most common for this type of object is a narrow strip foundation, which is a solid frame. Even when installed on mobile soils, the load from the metal frame will be uniform over the entire surface of the base.

Pillar foundation implies the presence of beams interconnected. It has a lower bearing capacity, suitable for clay soils. If construction is planned on a rugged terrain, a pile type of foundation can be recommended. The last 2 options require the involvement of special equipment for driving posts or screwing in piles. The most economical and less labor intensive is the implementation of a shallow foundation in the form of a slab. Such a foundation is optimal for mobile soils.

If it is planned to use built-in kitchens and furniture in the house, its location should be determined at the planning stage in order to impart increased strength of the metal frame in the places of their installation.Reviews of those who independently built the frame house, allow us to conclude that the assembly itself does not cause much difficulty.

Next, see the review of the finished metal frame house.