The different materials that can be used to create the frame or structure of a home will have a big impact on its strength, insulation and cost.
Although the timber-based platform method is by far the most popular method of house framing in Australia, there are numerous other methods that are worth investigating. Timber tends to lose moisture as it ages, resulting in wall studs and ceiling joists that warp, shrink and twist. This in turn may lead to cracks in the plasterboard used to construct interior walls and ceilings. Timber is also prone to rot and damage from insects such as white ants. For a frame that is both stable and durable, look at metal, straw bale and structural insulated panel framing options.
