SA Affordable Housing March - April 2020 // ISSUE: 81 | Page 41

ADVERTORIAL
The benefits of ultra-span
light-gauge steel framing
for low-cost housing
Supplied by MiTek
MiTek is a diversified global supplier of builder products,
collaborative software, engineering services, and
manufacturing equipment to the residential, commercial, and
industrial construction sectors to empower breakthroughs in
building.
With its manufacturing facility in Gauteng and regional
offices in Cape Town, Port Elizabeth and Durban, MiTek is best
placed to supply the building industry with the widest range
of timber connectors and light gauge steel products for the
roof truss manufacturer and hardware stores.
MiTek is the worldwide leader in roof truss technology,
both locally and internationally. Serving on all 5 continents
in over 200 countries.
MiTek Industries’ passion for its associates’ well-being, and
its customers’ success, is the company’s hallmark. Founded in
1955 and a Berkshire Hathaway company
since 2001, MiTek has operations in more than 40
countries on six continents.
Low-cost housing projects are widespread throughout the
African landscape. The real challenge that comes to light
regarding these projects, however, is actually managing to
keep the associated costs to a minimum. Light-gauge steel
framing is becoming the go-to choice for low-cost housing
developments for many reasons. We highlight some of the
main benefits below.
Light-gauge steel framing is lightweight: This means that it
is not only much easier but also more cost-effective to
transport and erect. The labour costs are also greatly
decreased as they are simple to set up and take much less
time to do so compared to various other low-cost housing
framing ‘solutions’.
Light-gauge steel framing is durable: Another challenge
when it comes to low-cost housing projects in Africa is trying
to keep maintenance requirements low. Maintenance
obviously costs a lot of money. And, unfortunately, many of
these home’s inhabitants simply will not have that kind of
money on hand. The great news is that light-gauge steel
framing usually comes with a strong galvanised coating,
which aids in making it one of the most durable framing
options available on the market.
Light-gauge steel framing is almost impossible to
damage: The framing is resistant to fungus and mould
growth, it cannot be burrowed into by rodents and other
www.saaffordablehousing.co.za
pests, and it is also obviously non-combustible. This makes
it extremely resistant to damage and, therefore, sure to
stand the test of time.
INTRODUCING ULTRA-SPAN
Ultra-Span is a pre-fabricated light gauge steel roof truss
system that is both lightweight and compact for economical
transportation costs. It has been designed by the respected
global brand, MiTek, and boasts a span capability from small,
low-cost housing to large 40m clear span commercial
structures.
Looking for further details about light-gauge steel
framing, and Ultra-Span in particular? If so, be sure to get in
touch with our team today.
Ultra-Span light gauge steel roofing solution: Is your roof
too large to be done in pre-fabricated timber or are you
shipping roofs into Africa and paying dearly for transport?
Maybe you wish to supply low-cost roofs or simply prefer
non-combustible roof structures? Whatever your need
– Ultra-Span offers the solution!
Ultra-Span is a pre-fabricated light gauge steel roof truss
system that is both lightweight and compact for economical
transportation costs. Assembly of trusses can be completed
with only an electric screwdriver. Ultra-Span is backed by a
professional engineering and estimating department.
Engineered designs are calculated using state of the art
in-house developed software and provide economical
roofing solutions.
The low mass per m 2 (between 2-10kg) of this roofing
system ensures both savings on the supporting structure as
well as on transportation and erection costs whilst also
being vermin proof and non-combustible. Large sections of
the roof can simply be pre-assembled on the ground and
hoisted into position on the walls – making this one of the
most viable systems with a large range of applications up to
a clear span of 40m.
MiTek was also the SAISC Steel Awards 2019 Light Steel
Frame Building Category sponsor with three projects from
fabricators in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban
entered into the annual SAISC Steel Awards during October
2019. These entries will be in contention for the highly
coveted Light Steel Frame Building category, which MiTek
licensed fabricators won with Ultra-Span projects in 2010,
2015 and 2017.
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