Renegade Cabins - steel framing.
Most tiny houses are built with wood, so why be different? Why build with steel? Well, there are many benefits for you and your family.
It’s healthier
We work with Ezisteel who uses Axxis® Steel. Steel frames are much healthier for you and your family. No toxic chemicals are used to treat our steel frames, unlike the treatment of timber, and it won’t rot or support mold or mildew growth. Steel frames have also been used to achieve allergen-free and dust-free interiors – Axxis® Steel is recognized by the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation of New Zealand as a ‘Sensitive Choice’ construction product that will assist in reducing the incidence of asthma attacks.
So you can breathe easier.
It’s fire-resistant
Steel frames do not burn and will not contribute fuel to the spread of a fire. In February 2013, the University of Auckland’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering conducted New Zealand’s first scientific investigation into the performance of light steel-framed housing in the event of a fully developed fire. Basing the investigation on a real fire, the study compared the predicted failure times of the wall and ceiling linings. The study calculated the fire exceeded 900C in the enclosure of origin and over 600C in the roof space. The study showed the steel framing did not collapse in either the walls or ceiling. This not only prevented the house from collapsing but meant that most of it remained weathertight after the event and that the fully developed fire was restricted to the enclosure of origin. Even more telling was the fact that a significant portion of the steel framing could have been cleaned and reused after the event. This investigation demonstrated that light steel framing does perform extremely well in the event of a fire and significantly reduces the chances of damage to the structure as a whole.
So you can feel safer.
It’s stronger
When building a home, people spend more time on aesthetics like kitchens and bathrooms, and don’t think about the building’s frames. However, the frames are what hold the house together. The stronger – or weaker – the framing, the stronger – or weaker – the house. Steel framing is highly resistant to earthquake damage due to its strength and ductility. *Ductility = it bends without breaking — a key property for seismic resilience.
So you can feel more secure.
It’s longer lasting
Axxis® Steel is a galvanized, high-tensile steel specifically designed for New Zealand’s house-framing market. This product has a 50-year durability statement backed by New Zealand Steel. However, tests in Europe have shown the predicted design life of the same steel coated product that is used in New Zealand is over 200 years, provided the building envelope is well insulated and properly maintained.
So you can be confident.
It's 100% recyclable
Axxis® steel is made with consideration for the environment. It is manufactured in New Zealand from locally mined west coast iron-sand and is made with a component of recycled steel. Axxis® steel is galvanised by New Zealand Steel during the manufacturing process and requires no further additional preservative chemical treatment. And because steel-framing sections are rollformed to length there's minimal wastage, reducing the environmental impact from building site waste going to landfill. Steel is also 100% recyclable, again and again, without losing its properties.
So you can relax knowing it is recyclable.
Purpose-built Trailers
All our cabins come on our own purpose-built trailers. Transporting is a breeze - it also makes it easier for the cabin to be moved around the section if required. They can be winched on and transported - no cranes or lifting required. Contact us now for more information.
Insulation
We insulate our floors and walls to keep you warm all year long.
We use high-performance pink batts glass insulation with an R rating of 2.2 for the ceiling, and R2.2 for the walls. It’s a BRANZ appraised product that comes with a 50-year warranty. Widely used by the NZ building industry, it has excellent soundproofing and thermal properties.
Doors and Windows
We work with a local company that provide a high standard finish on all of our joinery, and we can customize to suit your style.
Options are - Ranch Sliders, Bi-folding doors and windows of all sizes.
Black is the standard to give a modern clean look, but more colours are available to suit the look you are after.
Wall Cavities
Watergate Plus 295 is a fire retardant, absorbent and breathable wall underlay. It is a white composite non-woven polypropylene, specifically designed as a wall underlay behind exterior wall claddings. Watergate Plus 295 also offers a high degree of water resistance, with a high level of water vapour permeability.
Internal wall finishes
For our internal walls we use a quality finish CD pine plywood internally with primed or clear architraves to finish.
Renegade cabin floor coverings
We use a tile rubber backed carpet. Should you desire a different finish to your flooring, please ask.
Renegade cabin electrics
We use a variety of lighting in different situations, but we always use quality products from reputable brands. We make sure to select low energy, efficient LED fixtures. If you want to get creative with lighting we can do that too. All electrical work is completed by a registered Electrician and inspected by an independent electrical inspector. You will receive both an Electrical Certificate of Safety, and a caravan Electrical Warrant of Fitness.
Renegade cabin cladding
Our most commonly used types of cladding are treated plywood with a dark oak stain and Black corrugated Colour Steel. We love the look of our finished product If you have something else in mind, we can certainly do that! Get it made by Renegade today!