BS Steel Edge FEB '07 #25:11579 BS Edge MARCH #13 13/3/07 3:47 PM Page 1

STEEL EDGE
A newsletter of product innovation, corporate information and news for customers of BlueScope Steel Limited
ISSUE NUMBER 25 MARCH 2007
PRINT POST APPROVED PP 255003/05589

Steel station keeps

Gulf tropics in line

Croydon’s all-steel station.

Croydon Railway Station in Queensland’s far- Replacement buildings, cobbled together

north Gulf Country is rare among public buildings. from remnants of the originals, also succumbed Against stiff competition, Croydon Station has
eventually to constant assault from termites won the Metal Building Product Steel Design
While architects throughout Australia select and tropical weather.
Award at the Australian Steel Institute Awards
steel for a variety of aesthetic and energy-saving “When Queensland Rail sought to establish
reasons, Ipswich architect Bruce Buchanan a new station, complete with facilities for held recently at the Brisbane Convention Centre.
believes steel was the only material he could passengers and train staff and a new carriage The station has also been awarded a Royal
logically specify for this public transport project. shed for the Gulflander motor and carriages, it
Australian Institute of Architects Regional
The isolated heritage-listed Normanton-to- was essential that the building be capable of
Croydon railway was built to link the gold-mining Commendation for 2006.
withstanding anything the tropics could throw
settlement of Croydon with the port of Normanton at it,” Mr Buchanan said.
on the Gulf of Carpentaria in the closing decade of “Because many elements were prefabricated walls, exposed galvanised steel wall framing,
the 19th century. Because of constant attacks by off-site, erection to lock-up stage took only encircling verandahs and the large, relatively open
termites, tropical cyclones and floods, engineer three weeks, and the overall project budget carriage shed,” Mr Buchanan said.
George Phillips specified as much steel as possible (covering building, landscaping and services) “The design also exploits natural ventilation,
be used in the construction of the original line. was held at $400,000.” and energy-saving devices include the roof form,
He even specified and patented moulded steel All roofing and wall cladding is made from the raising of some wall sections above floor level,
railway sleepers to keep the termites at bay. ZINCALUME® steel in CUSTOM ORB® profile. fixed louvre vents and roof overhangs to the
While the line itself and its world-famous Elements of traditional outback Queensland verandahs. Despite constant tropical humidity, air
Gulflander railmotor train have survived countless railway architecture have been used as conditioning is not mandatory.
floods and cyclones, the same cannot be said for reference points throughout, and the new “The large, open carriage shed, which shelters
Phillips’ original Croydon station and corrugated building is evocative of the original 1891 the passenger station wing from the western sun,
iron carriage shed. Both were eventually blown structure. “The historical railway vernacular is has steel wall cladding finishing above ground to
away in a severe cyclone in 1969. expressed in the ventilated roof form, un-lined aid cross ventilation.”

INNOVATION IN AUSTRALIAN STEEL BUILDING

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COLORBOND®
steel covers
Broome
Broome not only faces some of Australia’s most
extreme weather conditions, it demonstrates
possibly the most extensive use of COLORBOND®
steel in the country.

According to Broome Shire Council, the

majority of roofs in this remote town on Western
Australia’s north-west coast are clad with
COLORBOND® steel. A large number of walls,
garages and fences throughout the town also
use the same steel material to protect against
Steel’s fire resistant qualities were
cyclones, torrential rain, intense sunshine and a key reason for its use as cladding
extreme heat. at Thunder + Lightning Lodges.
About 90 per cent of buildings in the Town
Centre, known as Chinatown, are roofed and clad
in corrugated steel.
Selecting the right building materials in Broome
is vital.
One Broome-based building company that
Thunder + Lightning
recognises the benefits of using COLORBOND®
steel for roofing and cladding is Eco Constructions.
Established in 1996 by builder/developer Karl
Plunkett, the company specialises in providing
secures award
An award-winning ski lodge on Thredbo’s products are suffering wear and tear, with
sustainable homes and workplaces specifically
designed for tropical living. Crackenback Ridge in the Australian Alps has cracking and high maintenance issues evident
secured a NSW Master Builders Association because of the harsh winter climate.”
Housing Award in the Town Houses or Villas/ The decision to rely on natural dry-jointed field
stonework and LYSAGHT ® steel cladding for
Dual Occupancy $900,001+ category.
external facades was taken to provide low
Combining luxury design with the durability maintenance and a degree of fire resistance.
and superior fire resistance required for a difficult “I was conscious of avoiding a design that
environment, the Thunder + Lightning Lodges was a monotonous stone and corrugated steel
house two commercial ski chalets that use steel box,” Mr Kean said. “The range of COLORBOND®
cladding products from BlueScope Lysaght Metallic steel colours provided a timely solution.”
extensively for roof and exterior walls. The lodges’ exterior features LYSAGHT CUSTOM
Canberra-based architect Tom Kean, who ORB®, LYSAGHT CUSTOM BLUE ORB® and LYSAGHT
specialises in larger-scale residential, commercial, MINI ORB® made from COLORBOND® Metallic steel
Eco Constructions, which builds according to
retail and hotel developments, christened the in the colours of Facade, Cortex and Conservatory.
a strict code of environmental practice, uses steel
development ‘Thunder + Lightning’ after a LYSAGHT CUSTOM ORB® has been used in
in all its buildings. Each home is designed to be
spectacular storm rolled in from the south as he horizontal and vertically opposed panels, together
as environmentally friendly as possible, using
was setting out the design on site. with LYSAGHT MINI ORB® in horizontal panels
natural resources such as wind and sun to power
Each three-storey, 250-square-metre chalet to detail cladding elements. LYSAGHT CUSTOM
and ventilate the home and minimising any impact
consists of a two-bedroom apartment with a BLUE ORB® made from ZINCALUME® steel has
on the surrounding enviroment.
separately keyed studio apartment sharing a been used to detail balustrades.
“We use COLORBOND® steel as it is resistant
common entry foyer. “The three LYSAGHT® products made from
to the harsh Broome environment and can
Mr Kean reinterpreted the traditional terrace COLORBOND® Metallic steel pick up and reflect
withstand weather conditions that often plague
form to optimise the small building site, and to meet every nuance of changing light from the
the region – such as thunderstorms, cyclones and
planning controls limiting the development footprint. surrounding landscape,” Mr Kean said. “When
extreme heat,” Mr Plunkett said.
The Thunder + Lightning Lodges’ design has the weather changes, the facade responds.”
David Bare, BlueScope Steel’s National
both chalets back-to-back, instead of side-by-side, Balustrade elements include LYSAGHT
Marketing Manager, Building, said: “When
providing more privacy between the chalets and INTERLOK ® II – more commonly used for
building in extreme environments, steel really is shearing-shed flooring, but used here on balcony
offering a distinct and separate outlook for each.
the only sensible option. Towns like Broome, which The use of steel cladding helped to overcome floors. These areas, typically high maintenance
are constantly battered by the elements, use a lot a major design challenge on the project – fire in Thredbo, are virtually maintenance-free and
of COLORBOND® steel, which is a testament to the resistance. “Bushfires in recent years have self-draining.
material’s effectiveness. seriously threatened Thredbo and have burnt out “LYSAGHT CUSTOM BLUE ORB® also features
“Steel gives something back to the environment large tracts of the Kosciusko National Park,” on the stair turret to each chalet,” Mr Kean said.
by being completely recyclable. It is one of the Mr Kean said. Mr Kean worked closely with leading Canberra
world’s most recycled products, with 70 per cent of “The extensive use of plywood-based timber builder Bellevarde Constructions on the project.
scrap steel available in Australia being recycled sheeting, on which Thredbo has relied heavily Bellevarde Constructions principal John Fielding
and used in the production of new steel, ensuring for many years, has become questionable. said construction was completed in several stages
it has as little environmental impact as possible.” Some older developments incorporating these during the summer months.

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LOX, stocks and barrel vault

The new liquid oxygen facility at Richmond
RAAF Base west of Sydney is not your
everyday building.

Not simply because it is located at the end of

a military runway. Or because its form is
unconventional – especially compared with
other buildings scattered around this sprawling
military base.
This building’s near-uniqueness rests with
the fact there are only a handful of such facilities
in Australia, which – in turn – largely influenced
its ultimate corrugated steel shape.
For those in the business, liquid oxygen is
simply referred to as LOX.
The Liquid Dry Breathing Oxygen
Photography: Andrew Worssam

Maintenance and Storage Facility, to give it its

full name, performs a specific task for the
Royal Australian Air Force – it tests, maintains
and services the oxygen (and nitrogen) used for
breathing air on military planes.
“The new facility had to accommodate LOX Wing of steel.
liquid,” architect Guy Luscombe of Campbell
Luscombe Folk Lichtmam Architects said. “It has sits about 100 metres away. It has three main primarily influenced by its location at the end of the
two main functions – storage and maintenance. testing laboratories / workshops with smaller main runway and designed to resist noise and
“For safety reasons each function is housed rooms for specific testing functions.” wind pressure.
in a separate building. The storage building, Construction of this command module borrows The single, curved shell, clad in COLORBOND®
essentially a rain and sun protection shelter, heavily from military ‘shed’ tradition. On the one steel in LYSAGHT CUSTOM ORB ® profile, and
services the planes directly and abuts the main hand it is somewhat reminiscent of the archetypal highlighted in panels of COLORBOND® steel in
runway. Its roof is made from COLORBOND® Nissen hut, used extensively by Allied forces during LYSAGHT MINI ORB® profile, protects the sensitive
steel in LYSAGHT CUSTOM ORB® profile. World War II. On the other, it borrows heavily procedures undertaken inside – and also guards
“The maintenance building, the ‘command from the basic design and shape of a plane’s wing. the web of pipes, ducts and extraction fans that
module’, is the more sophisticated structure and The building’s single, streamlined form was allow these procedures to be carried out.

Austec fires up demand for

PANELPHEN insulated panels
Within months of releasing its revolutionary such as work areas through to bushfire-prone
fire-rated PANELPHEN insulated paneling sites,” Mr Zadro said. “Wherever you can use
product, Sydney-based company Austec Panel lightweight building paneling, you can also use
Systems Australia has supplied several large PANELPHEN – including on walls and roofs.
PANELPHEN is also ideal for safe, clean working
New South Wales food preparation businesses.
environments, giving flexibility in design.
PANELPHEN, which incorporates BlueScope “With many overseas-based companies
Steel’s recently released antibacterial recognising and standardising on FM Class 1
COLORBOND ® Permagard ® steel, has been accreditation, we’re starting to see products like
Adrian Zadro with Austec's fire-
installed in food preparation and processing areas PANELPHEN (FM Approved) being stipulated for
rated panel PANELPHEN at a new
such as a million dollar meat processing factory new building projects across a broad range of
Emu Plains meatworks site.
in Sydney’s west, Nestlé and Tip Top Bakeries. applications throughout Australia,” Mr Zadro said.
PANELPHEN comprises two sheets of store areas, it was also suitable for a wide range PANELPHEN structural panels come in a
COLORBOND® Permagard® steel sandwiching a of other domestic, industrial and commercial standard width of 1200mm and in thicknesses
rigid flame-rated polystyrene/phenolic foam core. building applications. ranging from 50mm to 250mm. Austec Panel
COLORBOND ® Permagard ® steel The product’s FM Class 1 fire-rated Systems can customise lengths to suit specific
incorporates Microban ® anti-bacterial accreditation – awarded by international projects. AS1530.3 test results were: ignitability
technology to inhibit the growth of harmful insurance company FM Global – made it superior -18, zero spread of flame and a smoke index of 2-3.
bacteria that can aid in cross-contamination and to traditional foam-filled paneling products, where With more than 20 years’ experience, family-
food poisoning, making the product ideal for food fire performance is an important factor, he said. owned Austec Panel Systems has also
preparation applications. “PANELPHEN can withstand extreme heat, built thousands of projects using another
Austec Panel Systems’ Adrian Zadro said which also makes it ideal for builders wanting to product it manufacturers – PANELEX - Insulated
that while PANELPHEN was also ideal for cold use the paneling in highly combustible situations, Panel System.

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Producing sustainable
housing en masse
As a growing number of Australian architects Each frame is designed around the standard “Because Pop-Outs bolt on to the side of the
expand the use of corrugated steel from building size of 1200mm x 2400mm, and frames can building, it’s far easier to install plumbing, cabling
residential roofs to external and internal walls, be bolted together to form different sized rooms. and other services,” Mr Irvine said.
some believe the time is right to bring the Because they are all based on a standard size, “Sue designed the concept to be lightweight,
components such as louvres, walls, windows, bi- cost effective to transport anywhere in Australia
techniques of mass production to bear on
fold and sliding doors are screwed into the frame or shipped in containers, and easy to erect.
sustainable steel building products.
‘skeleton’, and can be easily upgraded or Someone with basic building experience and
Sydney architect Sue Harper and interchanged in a few minutes without any basic tools should be able to erect one of our
environmental engineer husband Andy Irvine have renovation work. homes in a fraction of the time it takes to
To improve environmental performance and build conventionally.”
developed a prefabricated steel building system
fire resistance, Sue Harper and Andy Irvine are The component nature of this building system
they say makes it quicker, easier and cheaper to
investigating a range of modular walling concepts means rooms can be added and extended – or
build a stylish range of buildings such as houses,
– one based on polystyrene sandwiched by steel removed – efficiently. In fact, a whole house can
cabins, schools and offices.
sheeting – that can be quickly and easily secured be disassembled in a matter of days and shifted
The system uses component-based rather than
into the frames. to another site for erection.
the traditional module or pod-based construction,
“Profiled steel sheeting in standard sizes can And because so much of the building is steel,
allowing a house’s ultimate design, shape and size
also be used to fit our frames,” Mr Irvine said. it can largely be recycled, adding to its
to be determined by factors ranging from budget
“Sustainable products like ZINCALUME ® and sustainability, Mr Irvine said.
through to site positioning.
COLORBOND® steel in LYSAGHT MINI ORB® and The pair built their prototype house on the
“Australian companies are producing some
perforated MINI ORB® profiles are ideal as they Hawkesbury River north of Sydney several years
really innovative buildings that are rapidly
are lightweight and low maintenance.” ago. More recently they teamed up with
changing the prefabricated and transportable
These materials can also be used in features owner/builder builder Liam Flood to complete
housing sector, but much of it is based on building
such as screens and in utility areas for internal walls. another house on a difficult block on Dangar
modules, rather than at the component level,” Their roofs – skillion or pitched – are invariably Island. All materials had to be barged in and the
Andy Irvine said. “The only way you can alter the made from corrugated steel. Walls, floors and roofs house has been recognised by various housing
look and size of many pre-fab houses currently are usually insulated for added energy efficiency. and architectural awards for its design and
available is to add another module.” Because the frames are self-supporting, there environmental performance.
Sue Harper developed the concept over a is no need for internal structural walls, opening The modular nature of Sue Harper’s concept
number of years while working in remote the inside of the house to almost infinite design allowed this house to be a series of joined pavilions
Aboriginal communities in northern Australia, possibilities. Flooring is based on 2400mm by that take advantage of their steep bush surrounds,
basing it on a patented, self-supporting steel frame 1200mm steel framing. giving the feeling of living in a tree house.
she calls a ‘picture frame’. While the concept is The couple has also developed what they call “The beauty of our system is that as your
architectural, the company is not simply aiming Pop-Outs – prefabricated bays that attach to the budget improves, or needs change, you can simply
for the upper end of the residential market. same 2400mm by 1200m frames, allowing for small remove cheaper components and add better
“We want to appeal to most home builders and rooms such as kitchens, laundries, office space, quality materials, windows, doors and so on,” Mr
institutional clients where sustainability and wardrobes or ensuites to be included in new Irvine said. “You can also add Pop-Outs and extra
flexibility can have a real impact,” Mr Irvine said. homes, or easily added to their existing homes. rooms as the family grows.”

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Nomad shows the way

Sydney-based Nomad Manufactured Buildings is kitchens, ablutions blocks,
enthusiastically incorporating the latest round churches, control rooms,
of insulation and design specifications into its refrigerated storage
wide range of manufactured building designs. rooms, science labs and
libraries – most fitted
These specifications are stipulated by the new with access ramps and
Section J of the Building Code of Australia (BCA). covered verandahs.
Introduced last year, Section J lays down new Each building has an
minimum energy efficiency requirements for internal switchboard for
commercial buildings. easy connection to a
Nomad’s new range of manufactured power supply when
educational buildings for schools and colleges delivered to site.
throughout New South Wales combines greater Nomad has already Most Nomad buidlings are classrooms and office buildings.
air flow with the look and feel of in-situ buildings. manufactured thousands
The company is also introducing the new of single, double and triple
Standards for customers in other industries – classrooms and training rooms for a wide range of Nomad’s patented Diplomat design – with a
including health, mining and airports. government and private schools. curved roof – offers a row of high-lite windows
Nomad says it has developed a range of “Clever design and some lateral thinking helps that allows greater use of natural light throughout
roofing and floorplan designs that are these buildings stay cooler in summer and warmer the year, minimising the need for internal lighting
environmentally efficient, aesthetically pleasing, in winter, meaning less need for artificial heating and further lowering energy costs.
and blend into any educational campus or and cooling,” Nomad Manufactured Buildings’ Nomad buildings are completely factory
corporate environment. Director Glenn Stevenson said. manufactured – usually in three-metre modules,
Buildings are typically finished in “These environmental benefits also deliver which can be up to 15 metres long. The buildings
COLORBOND ® steel in a range of profiles, lower energy costs. The inclusion of newly are fully fitted out and detailed, before being split,
including LYSAGHT CUSTOM ORB® and MINI ORB® developed insulation materials as well as flow- transported and re-assembled on site.
as well as LYSAGHT PANELRIB ®, often in through air cavities minimises heat transfer into “Staying a leader in the industry means you
combination, and in a range of colours. the roof. With raked and sloped ceilings, the result have to stay on top of new technology and be
Roofing is almost universally LYSAGHT is more comfortable buildings to work in. aware of design trends,” Mr Stevenson said. “The
TRIMDEK®, also made from COLORBOND® steel. “Our new educational designs, for instance, versatility of the COLORBOND® steel range means
Most buildings are classrooms and office are a far cry from earlier demountable classrooms we can almost infinitely vary the look of our
buildings, with other projects including on-site found at many schools throughout the state.” buildings to suit individual tastes.”

Steel strong and trendy Endeavour

in the Sunshine State Awards
External feature walls made
from COLORBOND® steel are
emerging as a key trend in
us with a pencil sketch of what
they want,” Mr Franklin said.
Homes built by Franklin
still open
The 2007 Manufacturers’ Monthly Endeavour
new homes being built in Constructions sell from $130,000,
Awards, sponsored by BlueScope Steel’s STEEL
take six weeks to design and 12 to
South-East Queensland. BY™ Brand Partnership Program, are still open to
14 weeks to build.
all Australian manufacturers that have been
John Franklin of Franklin The company, a member of
operating for at least two years.
Constructions said his the National Association of Steel-
company builds 25 to 30 Framed Housing (NASH), only The awards, now entering their fourth year, cover
uses the LYSAGHT® Welded Steel eight major categories:
homes a year in and around
Building Frame System – a • Import Replacement of the Year
the Beaudesert Shire, about
termite-resistant, high-strength • Technology Application of the Year
64 kilometres south of
• Innovative Product of the Year – Consumer
Brisbane. framing system that doesn’t warp,
• Innovative Product of the Year – Industrial
“More buyers are using twist or shrink.
• Exporter of the Year
steel to create striking Franklin Constructions is a
• Environmental Solution of the Year
features in their home,” Mr member of the STEEL BY™ Brand
• Safety Scheme of the Year
Franklin said. “COLORBOND® Partnership Program.
John Franklin of Franklin Constructions • Young Manufacturer of the Year
steel is ideal for exterior “We use the STEEL BY™ An overall winner will be selected from those
outside one of his company’s homes.
cladding, and some buyers program stickers on all our categories and awarded the top prize – Manufacturer
are also requesting features frames to show we proudly of the Year 2007 – in recognition of the winning
made from LYSAGHT MINI ORB®.” support Australian-made steel.” company’s demonstrated innovation and excellence.
Franklin Constructions is a family-run business For more information contact: Nomination forms and conditions are available in
which sells off-the-plan and custom-designed John Franklin, the latest edition of Manufacturers’ Monthly
homes, as well as commercial buildings. Franklin Constructions, magazine or online at
“Most of our work is custom designing three- Ph: (07) 5541 1301, [Link]/FerretAwards/[Link].
to five-bedroom homes for people who come to [Link] Entries close soon.

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Coomera Waters eco-friendly development

A large eco-friendly development in reduce the amount of heat radiated into
Queensland successfully combines the homes as the outside temperature cools
environmental sustainability with at night.
the benefits of living in the south-east COLORBOND ® steel is 100 per cent
recyclable, so at the end of its service life it
of the state.
can be used again and not wasted.
Coomera Waters, a 496-hectare “This is a huge and exciting project for us,”
site on the Gold Coast, offers a Austcorp’s Queensland General Manager
community-based lifestyle consisting Kerry Spencer said. “Eco-living now
of more than 1300 homes guides many people’s expectations, and
surrounding a 17-hectare lake with a Coomera Waters is proving successful with
72-berth marina and marina village, our target market.
interconnected by more than 20 “We continue to spend a lot of time
kilometres of eco-walking tracks and researching the best ways to make Coomera
extensive parklands and reserves. Waters a different and environmentally
The development is a haven for sustainable development, and we are pleased
birds and wildlife, with nature with the results.
reserves, wetland and parks all “Austcorp recommends steel roofing
Coomera Waters wins ‘Enviro Development’ status.
designed to support local flora and products, such as those made from
fauna. It was designed around COLORBOND® steel, across the development
significant trees and large tracts of wetland, five developments in Australia to be given the because it helps us to satisfy our energy
melaleuca stands, a eucalyptus forest, and an certification based on strict scientific benchmarks efficiency goals. Also, it is desirable in terms of
expansive salt marsh area known to provide for environmentally sustainable developments. look and feel because of the range of colours
habitat to the Richmond Butterfly, Spotted Latest design principles and building products available – it helped us create the overall
Mangrove Mouse and Greater Egret. have been used throughout Coomera Waters to contemporary, luxury style of Coomera Waters.”
The properties themselves have been enhance visual aesthetics and ensure thermal Simon Charrington, Market Development
designed and built to reduce their long-term efficiency in the homes to minimise environmental Manager at BlueScope Steel, said: “We are
impact on the environment and to promote eco- impact, reduce electricity consumption and save delighted to be involved with Austcorp on a cutting-
friendly community living. To do this, developer air conditioning costs. edge eco-development such as this. Steel is a great
Austcorp has focused on various ways to promote Light and mid-coloured roofs such as those choice for this type of community because it is
energy efficiency throughout the development. made from COLORBOND® steel – the first surface energy efficient, low maintenance and can
In recognition of its environmental sensitivity, the sunshine will hit on each home – are withstand extreme weather conditions – a real
Coomera Waters was recently awarded the mandatory throughout. issue in Queensland – and it is fully recyclable.
prestigious ‘EnviroDevelopment’ status by the Urban Roofs made from COLORBOND ® steel are “Everyone involved in Coomera Waters is
Development Institute of Australia. It is one of only lightweight, with a low thermal mass to help proud of it.”

Steel against storms

More Queenslanders are turning to steel roofs to roofing is an obvious choice for homeowners keen
protect their homes against extreme weather, to safeguard their homes. It delivers peace of mind
according to the Metal Roofing Industry regarding the long-term security of what is typically
Association of Queensland (MRIAQ). a home owner’s largest single investment.”
Roofing made from COLORBOND ® steel is
Severe storms are a frequent hazard, ideally suited to Queensland’s various weather
particularly north of the Tropic of Capricorn. conditions because it has been designed and
Because they can be localised weather events, tested specifically for local conditions.
not usually affecting wide areas, the devastating Seven Australian outdoor exposure testing
impact of storms is often underestimated. sites operate in regions providing a range of
However, the Federal Attorney General’s varying – and extreme – climatic conditions. One
Department says severe storms are responsible for of BlueScope Steel’s first testing sites, established
more damage nationwide – as measured by at Rockhampton, was selected for its combination domestic roof fixing company, said steel roofing
insurance costs – than tropical cyclones, of high temperatures, humidity and rainfall. had increased impressively in popularity over the
earthquakes, floods or bushfires. Outdoor product testing is conducted in past 10 years.
“Queensland receives its share of severe conjunction with accelerated corrosion and “Steel roofing is rapidly becoming the first
weather, and the building industry has evolved to weather testing in BlueScope Steel’s laboratories. choice amongst many home owners, builders and
help owners protect their properties and Because of this, roofing made from COLORBOND® designers, because of its durability, reliability and
belongings against severe storm damage, steel comes with a 30-year warranty, depending on suitability to the environment,” Mr Flourentzou
particularly from hail,” MRIAQ President, Dean terms and conditions. said. “People want to know the roof over their
Chandler, said. Andrew Flourentzou, Managing Director of heads will protect them and their belongings, and
“Because of its strength and durability, steel Stoddart Building Products, Australia’s largest stand the test of time through all kinds of weather.”

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New homes steeled for success in the country

Country-style homes with frames made He said the company also catered to
from TRUECORE® steel and roofing made investors with a range of duplex homes.
from COLORBOND® steel are proving a “We team up with local developers
winning formula for New South Wales who own parcels of land, and build
investment homes as turn-key operations
builder GJ Gardner Homes.
– tenants just need to arrive with
Owner of the Central Coast operation their furniture.”
Gary Palmer said his company builds GJ Gardner Homes offers customers
about 30 homes a year, with the a five-star performance guarantee on
Country Living Collection one of his most all homes.
popular ranges. “We like to keep our customers
“We’ve just built our ninth Country involved by having them inspect and sign
Living Collection home,” Mr Gardner off each stage of the building process,”
said. “It’s 58 metres long, has six Mr Gardner said.
bedrooms, and uses Steel Building Gary Palmer of GJ Gardner Homes, with one of the The company is a member of the
Systems Australia’s Supaloc framing company's popular Country Living Collection homes . STEEL BY™ Brand Partnership Program.
system made from BlueScope Steel’s “You can’t beat the service, support
TRUECORE® steel.” The Stafford, priced from $321,000, is the top- and quality provided by BlueScope Steel,”
The patented Supaloc framing system allows of-the-range design in the company’s Country Mr Gardner said.
for quick, easy assembly because of truss-to-truss Living Collection. “We can’t afford to build homes that aren’t
connections that do not require screw-fixing onsite “Most builders offer country-style homes in right the first time. We know we can rely on
– the hip and jack trusses clip into each other. the traditional rectangular design with a BlueScope Steel products for quality and our
Mr Gardner said the flexibility of GJ Gardner wraparound veranda, but our Stafford design has customers’ peace of mind.”
Homes’ designs had allowed the owners of the six- a criss-cross layout,” Mr Gardner said. Mr Gardner said the company was currently
bedroom home to add an extension for the in-laws. “Stafford-design homes are unusually large at building six three-bedroom, double-storey units at
“About 80 per cent of homes in our Country 497 square metres, with five-plus bedrooms, four Rutherford on the Central Coast, and had a further
Living Collection feature roofs made from bathrooms, a bar and games room, and car and 10 projects in the pipeline.
COLORBOND® steel, and a third of the homes have boat garages.” For more information contact:
a Supaloc framing system made from TRUECORE® GJ Gardner Homes offers a range of 30 homes, Gary Palmer,
steel,” he said. and each can be customised to buyers’ needs. GJ Gardner Homes –
GJ Gardner Homes also uses cladding made “Most customers are second or third Central Coast,
from LYSAGHT MINI ORB® for external feature home buyers who know what they want,” Ph: (02) 4351 0551,
walls, and BlueScope Steel rainwater goods. Mr Gardner said. [Link]

Innovation drives Gutter Protection Systems

A Queensland company has used “The product is fire-safe so it’s ideal for
Mark Leech of Gutter Protection Systems. bushfire areas,” Mr Leech said.
cutting-edge aviation technology
to develop a new, patented gutter Gutter Protection Systems is an enthusiastic
protection system made from member of the STEEL BY™ Brand Partnership
COLORBOND® steel. Program.
“We joined the program to align our company
Gutter Protection Systems, and products with the strength and quality of the
which invented its ‘contoured gutter BlueScope Steel brand,” Mr Leech said.
protector’ using manufacturing “People instantly relate to BlueScope Steel
techniques similar to those used in products as quality Australian products, and
the aviation industry, is now looking we want to be seen as a quality manufacturer
for national distributors to supply who uses them.”
and install the product. For more information contact:
“We aim to have 10 Australian Mark Leech,
distributors operational by mid- Gutter Protection Systems,
2007, each supplying and installing Ph (07) 5450 1280,
three average-sized homes a week with “The profiling tool stamps one edge of the [Link]
contoured gutter protectors,” company owner gutter mesh into a rubber block – called a rubber
Mark Leech said. press in the aviation industry – to shape it.”
With more than 30 years’ experience as an This process creates a three-dimensional edge
aircraft maintenance engineer, Mr Leech has that is fitted to the roof, while the other edge remains How to join
developed an iron tooling system that matches the flat so it can be screwed to the lip of the gutter.
gutter protector to the shape of the roof it is being
attached to.
The contoured gutter protector is made from
COLORBOND ® steel that has been converted
STEEL BY™ program
“The system consists of a steel profiling tool from sheet to mesh form. It comes in the full range For more information call Steel Direct on
designed in one of several shapes to fit the of COLORBOND ® steel colours, and Gutter 1800 800 789 and ask for an information brochure
contours of roofs made from COLORBOND® steel Protection Systems offers a 25-year lifetime and registration form.
or tiles,” Mr Leech said. performance warranty.

[Link] MARCH 2007 STEEL EDGE 7

BS Steel Edge FEB '07 #25:11579 BS Edge MARCH #13 13/3/07 3:47 PM Page 8

Superior Steel Screens’ secret of success

Brisbane-based company Superior Steel Screens Superior Steel Screens’ product range includes
is harnessing the power of the internet, which Steel screens stronger diamond and square lattice, slatting in widths
than timber. ranging from 28mm MiniSlatting® to 55mm MaxiSlat®,
now generates almost half of its sales of shade,
privacy and security screens. shade structures, fences, louvres and awnings.
If a designer-look fence is required, then
Almost 40 per cent of the company’s leads Superior Steel Screens can offer fencing and gate
come from the internet and in the five years since louvers in several styles to meet a customer’s
it started its national campaign, annual turnover ventilation, shading, décor, security or residential
has tripled. requirements. All work is done at the Brisbane
This spectacular growth has allowed the warehouse before being delivered to distributors
company to spread its wings and venture and franchisees.
into overseas markets such as Malaysia and “Among our most popular products are our
New Zealand. window screens,” Mrs Turnour said.
Established in 2001 by Andrew Turnour and “Houses today are being built closer to each
Des Leahy, Superior Steel Screens began with other, and people want to maintain privacy. Some
just six distributors and now runs a network of councils now have regulations in place to enforce
22 national and international distributors privacy screening.”
and franchisees. Superior Steel Screens will be releasing
The company provides a range of stylish, additional screening products made from
versatile screens offering privacy, shade and COLORBOND® steel in mid-2007.
security for commercial and residential buildings. The company is a member of the STEEL BY™
These screens are used on windows, arches, Brand Partnership Program.
carports, pergolas, spas, patios, gates and fences. “We joined the program to gain national
All Superior Steel Screens products are made recognition for the quality of our products, and to
from COLORBOND® steel, ZINCALUME® steel or inspire our franchisees with the small business
Stainless steel, sourced through distributor success stories we read in BlueScope Steel’s Steel
Smorgon Steel. Bundaberg, have all shown solid growth due to a Edge and STEEL BY magazines,” Mrs Turnour said.
According to Production Manager Rita combination of product promotion and the Superior Steel Screens operates with only
Turnour, the secrets to the company’s marketing suitability of Superior Steel Screens products for one distributor per city, and is looking for four or five
success have a lot to do with advertising in a wide any climate,” Mrs Turnour said. more franchisees in Wollongong, Cairns, Mackay,
cross section of media such as magazines, The company uses steel for its screening Port Macquarie and Bathurst.
television, radio, the Yellow Pages and on five products because it is stronger and more durable For more information contact:
different websites. than competing products such as aluminium and Superior Steel Screens,
“Our franchisees, particularly in Brisbane, timber. As well, screens are available in the full Ph. 1300 766 799,
Western Australia, the ACT, Townsville and range of COLORBOND® steel colours. [Link]

Business booming for Ritek® panels

Business is booming for applications. The panel’s
Queensland-based Ritek – inherent strength also
Building Solutions, with inquiries makes it ideal for use in
now coming from as far afield cyclone-prone areas.
The panel is fabricated
as Western Australia.
from sheets of
Established in 1983, the COLORBOND ® steel in
1800 800 789 company is now providing LYSAGHT CUSTOM ORB®
This number is for callers within Australia only:
Callers in other countries should refer to our web site and installing 40,000 to 50,000 profile, which sandwich
for the contact number of their nearest square metres of its patented specially profiled sheets
BlueScope Steel Limited office.
Ritek® Custom Roof Panel product of expanded polystyrene
[Link]
every year. (EPS). This method of
STEEL EDGE NO. 25, MARCH 2007. Ritek’s General Manager, Sales construction, coupled
EDITOR: Pete Heininger Group 1 fire rating.
and Marketing Paul Moloney said with the inherent strength
JOURNALIST: Sonia West
ART DIRECTOR: Natasha Krncevic the company – which also has operations in New of the LYSAGHT CUSTOM
CORRESPONDENCE: Steel Edge, South Wales, Victoria and New Zealand – has been ORB® profile, means spans can be up to eight
PO Box 961 Crows Nest
involved in as many as 500 projects throughout metres long.
NSW 1585 AUSTRALIA
EMAIL & STORY IDEAS TO: Australia during the last 12 months. Panel lengths of up to 14 metres can be
[Link]@[Link] achieved, and the product can be lapped to
“Given the strength of demand for our roofing
Copyright © BlueScope Steel Limited
ABN 16 000 011 058 panel, we’re currently looking to establish a achieve even longer panel lengths.
Published by BlueScope Steel Limited manufacturing facility in New South Wales,” he said. Ritek ® Custom Roof Panels also utilise
BlueScope is a trademark of BlueScope Steel Limited. About 70 per cent of business comes from COLORBOND® Stainless, COLORBOND® Ultra and
residential projects, with the balance being COLORBOND® Metallic steels.
industrial and commercial work. For more information contact:
The Ritek® Custom Roof Panel, with a Group 1 Ritek-Building Solutions,
fire rating, also has thermal ratings up to R3.0, Ph. (07) 5472 2500,
9 320075 049959 making it ideal for tropical and outback [Link]

8 STEEL EDGE MARCH 2007 [Link]