FAQ

Yes, we supply to all states and territories of Australia.

How long can the Boxspan be made?
Standard lengths are up to 12.1 metres long.

We supply most areas on the eastern seabord direct from our factory. If the order is a straightforward stock length order, you may find it quicker and have a lower delivery cost if you purchase from one of our distributors. Please see our website for our Boxspan distributor details.

Colorbeam can be purchased from our distributors. Please see our website for our Colorbeam distributor details.

If on a relatively flat site, a Boxspan raised floor will be more expensive than a slab on ground. However, on sloping sites, Boxspan floor frames can provide significant savings.

Boxspan has similar dimensions to timber so it is easy to work with. However, it is lighter and spans further, is termite proof and non-combustible. If purchased as part of a designed system it will go together much quicker and with less waste than timber.

17 Drapers Road, Braemar (Mittagong) NSW 2575

Coordinates: 34.426075°S, 150.475906°E

No we are closed on weekends

No – we are specialists in floor frames

Boxspan is very competitive with any reasonable quality timber.

All quotes regarding Boxspan are free of charge.

Yes. If you know what you need you can order stick lengths of Boxspan.

For an Estimate quote utilising our Design Department approximately 15-20 working days. Final Design drawings, after acceptance of Estimate quote is approximately 10-15 working days. Materials only quotation, on receipt of your cutting list/email request is 24-48 hours.

Production and delivery (standard coating only – does not include powder coating or HDG lead times) approximately 7-10 working days for NSW, ACT and Victoria – other States TBA.

To receive a quote please send us your details along with any relevant drawings via e-mail.

For an Estimate quote utilising our Design Department approximately 15-20 working days. Final Design drawings, after acceptance of Estimate quote is approximately 10-15 working days. Materials only quotation, on receipt of your cutting list/email request is 24-48 hours.

Production and delivery (standard coating only – does not include powder coating or HDG lead times) approximately 7-10 working days for NSW, ACT and Victoria – other States TBA.

We do no install. However, we have designed our systems so that they can be installed by anyone – from the first time owner-builder to the experienced tradie.

Boxspan is very competitive with any reasonable quality timber.

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

• 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

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

The common sizes are:

• 100 x 50
• 150 x 50
• 200 x 50
• 250 x 50

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.

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.

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

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 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

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.

Pier total adjustment = 70 mm

Lowest position = 40 mm

Mid Point = 75 mm

Highest position = 110 mm

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

The notation “Not for construction” on drawings means that they are not the final drawings and therefore should not be used to determine measurements for construction.

Yes, we can help with the design of deck frames, floor frames and roof frames for dwellings.

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

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.

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.

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.

No

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

Yes Boxspan can cantilever further than most of it’s timber equivalents. See span charts 

CCA treated timber products should not be placed in direct contact with zinc coated products like Boxspan. CCA stands for copper chromate and arsenic. The copper can be leached out of the timber and reacts with the zinc coating of Boxspan.

Boxspan will not burn or add to the combustible material but it will lose its strength in prolonged exposure to intense heat.

Per lineal metre the beams weigh:

Beam Size = Weight Kg/m
B100-12 = 2.2
B100-16 = 2.89
B150-16 = 3.62
B150-20 = 4.42
B200-16 = 4.25
B200-20 = 5.26
B250-20 = 6.11

Bluescope Steel recommends against the use of exposed zinc coated steel when within 1 km of breaking surf.

If you already have an engineer for a project we suggest that you continue to use them. Our detailed drawings will make it easy for them to complete the design of footings and bracing. However, if you do not already have an engineer involved with the project, you may find it more convenient to use Spantec’s engineering services.

Engineering services are limited to the house components directly related to the products we supply. However, it extends to the the items that support those items, for example, the foundations that support the floor frame.

Please see the extensive Boxspan and Colorbeam span tables for specific beam spans.

Ezipier is generally fixed to concrete foundations with Trubolt^® Wedge anchors or similar. Ezipier can, however, be embedded directly into concrete. Please refer to the Ezipier guides for the best methods.

Yes, Spantec products are non combustible and meet the requirements of all BAL levels including Flame Zone when used as per NASH standards.
See using Spantec products in bushfire prone areas