FAQ

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General

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Quotes & Orders

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Boxspan Beams

  • What can Boxspan be used for?

    Boxspan can be used in any application as an alternative to timber. Some common uses are:

    • Floor joists and Bearers
    • Rafters for raked roofs
    • Decks
    • Architectural beams for carports, pergolas and awnings – Storage shelving and racking
  • What are the advantages of using Boxspan over timber?
    • Much lighter than timber
    • Termites wont eat Boxspan
    • Boxspan is true in size
    • Boxspan won’t twist, shrink or rot
    • Boxspan is available in lengths up to 12 metres long
    • Boxspan generally achieves the same span in less depth than timber (or greater spans with the same depth)
    • Fire Resistant
  • What is the weight of the Boxspan?

    Per lineal metre the beams weigh:

    • Beam Weight Size Kg/m
    • B100-12 = 2.2 Kg/m
    • B100-16 = 2.89 Kg/m
    • B150-16 =  3.62 Kg/m
    • B150-20 =  4.42 Kg/m
    • B200-16 =  4.25 Kg/m
    • B200-20 = 5.26 Kg/m
    • B250-20 =  6.11 Kg/m
  • What sizes does Boxspan come?

    The common sizes are:

    • 100 x 50
    • 150 x 50
    • 200 x 50
    • 250 x 50
  • What benefits are there in using Boxspan bearers & joists instead of timber?
    Ground Floors
    • Long lengths at no extra cost mean that for difficult sites the number of piers can be reduced by up to 60%, leading to large cost savings.
    • No shrinkage, which causes cracked cornices, sticking windows and squeaks.
    • Termites will not eat this frame. When used in conjunction with steel wall and roof framing, expensive termite prevention can be eliminated.
    Upper Floors

    The need for structural beams to break spans is greatly reduced due to the beams long spanning capabilities.

    Decks

    In Bushfire prone areas Boxspan bearers/joists and verandah beams can fulfil council requirements for fire rating.

  • Is it easy to install a Boxspan floor frame?

    All of our Boxspan systems, when ordered, come with full working drawings showing beam names, bracket locations, pier spacings, bracket locations and relevant information for easy installation. See specific product pages for more installation information.

  • What are the dimensions of Boxspan joists?

    D x W – T
    100×50-12
    100×50-16
    150×50-16
    150×50-20
    200×50-16
    200×50-20
    250×50-20
    See Boxspan beams for more info

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Ezipier & Ezibrace

  • Who designs bracing for piers?

    Bracing type and locations should be specified by the engineer of the project who is familiar with the site wind conditions, exposure of the house and footing sizes etc. Typical bracing for piers is booker (threaded) rod, angle or RHS.

  • When is it beneficial to use adjustable Ezipier over brick piers?
    • When there is no foundation wall as one trade (bricklayers) is then eliminated.
    • When the pier height is over 1 metre as brick piers get very expensive when high
    • On sites that are likely to settle
    • When owner builders want to do the work themselves
  • Does the Ezipier system require ant capping?

    No. Ant caps are not a termite barrier, they are an inspection point. The exposed threaded rod is also an inspection point (in fact it is easier to inspect than ant caps) and is provided for under the termite code.

  • How much adjustability can I get with ezipier?

    Pier total adjustment = 70 mm

    Lowest position = 40 mm

    Mid Point = 75 mm

    Highest position = 110 mm

  • What’s the highest an ezipier can go?

    Ezipier limit is defined by either extreme load or extreme height. Generally loads from more than 2 storey light weight construction or more than 4 Metres in height will be designed with heavier wall thicknes posts and may need specialised fittings for the top and bottom to suit the purpose

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Can’t find the answer you’re looking for? Contact us 

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Design

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Installation

  • Are Boxspan floor frames easy to put together?

    Yes, they are assembled like timber frames but all lengths are pre-cut and there is an easy plan to follow.

  • How do you fix particleboard sheeting to Boxspan?

    You can fix Boxspan in a very similar way to that of timber. Fixing can be either screwed with wing tip steel threaded screws, or nailed with 2.5mm hardened twist nails, this form of nailing requires around 100psi.

    To glue sheets down you would commonly use Maxbond, Sikabond, Liquid Nails or an equivalent.

  • How do I fix tongue and groove (T&G) flooring to Boxspan?.

    The best way to fix T&G flooring to Boxspan is to fix particleboard down first and then glue and nail the T&G boards to the particleboard. The reason for this form of fixing is that the nails and screws used to fix to Boxspan have quite large heads. This method is now often used even when fixing to timber joists because of the following benefits:

    • Fewer joists as you do not need to put double joists under each parallel wall.
    • Construction is easier as floor is in place over joists.
    • Less T&G used, as boards can be end matched (they do not have to start and finish on a joist).
    • Considerably better sound and heat insulation.
    • T&G much less affected by changes in moisture under the house, which can cause serious damage to T&G floors.
  • Is a Boxspan floor frame quicker to install than conventional timber floor systems?

    Yes. Due to all floor components generally being supplied to site as exact lengths and the ease of fixing brackets and connections, there is an inherent saving in time when installing the Boxspan system. See installation pages for more details.

  • Is a crane required on site when installing Boxspan?

    No

  • What tools do I need?

    For a typical boxspan frame all that is needed to assemble is a tek gun (or power drill), level, measuring tape.

  • Is Boxspan easy to cut?

    Boxspan can easily be cut by a drop saw or circular saw with metal cutting disc, or angle grinder. However, an even easier tool is the cold cutting Makita 4130 metal circular saw which leaves a burr free cut.

  • How do I fix Decking boards to Boxspan?

    We recommend screwing decking boards down to Boxspan. While this does take more time than nailing, the result is much better. Due to constant exposure, decking swells and twists and, if not fixed down well, nails can loosen requiring maintenance.

  • How do I attach Boxspan to other components i.e. timber frames?

    As Boxspan has a regular shape like timber, fixing to other components is generally by exactly the same methods as would be used with timber. The only exception being the use of tek screws instead of nails into the Boxspan. Accordingly, cyclone straps, triple grips, multigrips, speed brace, joist hangers and many other fixing methods can be used.

  • How do I fix beams to a wall?

    Boxspan or Colorbeam can be fixed to a wall in the same way as timber. Either use a bracket (for example our framing bracket to suit the beam size) or fix a waling plate to the wall using fixings that are suitable for the wall type. Typical fixings will be specified in a project designed by Spantec.

  • How low can a floor be to the ground?

    The Building Code of Australia requires a minimum of 400mm between the bottom of the floor frame and the ground.

  • When I cut boxspan beams what do I need to do to the cuts to protect them?

    The galvanized coating on the steel surface does protect the cut edges of the beam. However, it is important that the cut is clean and any swarf is removed.

  • Do you have installation guides?

    All designed kit systems are provided with comprehensive drawings and connection details to make installation easy for you. There are also a number of “How To” videos on our website to help with your build.

  • How do I connect Boxspan to …?

    We have a range of simple solutions to connect Boxspan to almost anything. You’ll find many of our standard connections on our website, however if there is a specific connection you’re after and not on our website please feel free to contact our technical department.

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Technical

GENERAL ENQUIRY

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