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.
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.
Lead times are generally 7-10 working days after receipt of order or approval of final drawings for standard Z275 coated products. For higher protective coated Z600 beams or powder coated products additional time is required. Please contact us at time of order.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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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.
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.
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 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.
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.
Coating on metal is described in accordance with Australian Standards and refers to the coating mass on both sides of the section in grams. Boxspan’s normal coating is Z275 which means 275grams of Zinc per square metre (half on each side). Boxspan extra coating is Z600. Standard SHS posts have coating of Z100 (50g/m2 per side) and MAXI-TUBE (from Orrcon Steel) posts have a coating of ZM275 (137.5g/m2 per side), which is equivalent to Hot dip galvanising 500.
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.
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.
