Frequently asked questions about the 3030 house.

We've been getting all kinds of strange looks when people hear that we are building a steel house, followed by questions that have been pretty consistent. Here we try to answer them and if there is something that we have missed that you would like to learn more about, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Why steel? We believe that wood construction is inherently inferior. Straight 2X4s are difficult to come by and need to be chemically treated in order to increase their longevity. Wood is more susceptible to termites and fire. And you need fewer pieces of steel to frame a house.
What makes it more green? Steel has recycled content in it and is easily recycled when done. The pieces are all made in a factory and shipped to the building site. That means there is very little waste. In traditional wood framing there can be many dumpsters of waste. So far, there has only been a truck full of waste.
Do you need traditional insulation behind the drywall? You do not have to. The insulated wall panels already meet the code requirements for insulation. But we plan on filling the ceiling and walls anyway. The nominal cost to do that will give super insulated walls and the interior will be as quite as a library.
Is it more expensive to use steel versus traditional housing materials? The upfront material costs are a little more but the assembly time is less than wood. So the overall cost is roughly equal.
Was the design process different then if you were designing with traditional housing materials? It is more involved. Whereas plans for a traditional wood framed house will not show every framing piece, steel plans do. Every piece of steel is made in a factory so it needs to be planned out accordingly.
Does using steel limit your design possibilities? As a matter of fact, it does the opposite. There are many more things you can do with steel than wood.
How have the neighbors reacted so far? There has been tremendous support from the neighborhood. People are happier to see a conscientious home go in their neighborhood over a McMansion any day.
What will be the maintenance on the steel over time? Much less than wood. The finish on the exterior has a twenty year warranty.
Is the building inspection process any different? It is, but not by much. The county does not inspect the structure. A third party engineer certifies the structure for the county. The mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and sprinkler systems are inspected by the county.
Why is it called the 3030 house? Because that is its footprint. 30' by 30'.
Who is the architect? Greg Lavadera of Lami Design in conjunction with Ecosteel, who did the engineering and procurement.
Do you plan to build other steel houses? We would love to. This is a process and an aesthetic that we passionately believe in. We are constantly looking for like-minded people who want to share in the experience.