Brookfield Homes and Nicholas Lane Contractors are testing new
steel-framing tools on production homes.
Brookfield Homes is taking steel framing to a higher level of production.
The company expects to close 400 steel-framed homes within the next 18
months in Edgemont, a new community in West Covina, California.
"The
trick hasn't been the technology," says company president Jeffrey
Prostor, "it's been the trades." Prostor has committed his
company to training its trades, laying out a high volume of work for them
to see, and getting tool manufacturers to develop new tools for easier
assembly. Even at this stage, Prostor says his 2,500 square-foot steel
homes cost $800 to $1,000 less than wood.
Production
framer Scott Shaddix of Nicholas Lane Contractors is framing Edgemont.
"Jeffrey has opened the door for us," Shaddix says, "giving
us a real opportunity to see what we can do with steel." That
includes testing brand-new tools and prototype techniques.
Shaddix
is currently testing pneumatic tools that shoot screws like a nailer. The
tools, produced by Japanese manufacturer Max, work for steel-to-steel,
wood-to-steel, or drywall-to-steel connections. Prostor and Shaddix also
are testing a new Swiss tool from Attexor that makes clinch connecfions,
eliminating screws altogether.
Brookfield Homes and Nicholas Lane Contractors are testing new
steel-framing tools on production homes.
Brookfield Homes is taking steel framing to a higher level of production.
The company expects to close 400 steel-framed homes within the next 18
months in Edgemont, a new community in West Covina, California.
"The
trick hasn't been the technology," says company president Jeffrey
Prostor, "it's been the trades." Prostor has committed his
company to training its trades, laying out a high volume of work for them
to see, and getting tool manufacturers to develop new tools for easier
assembly. Even at this stage, Prostor says his 2,500 square-foot steel
homes cost $800 to $1,000 less than wood.
Production
framer Scott Shaddix of Nicholas Lane Contractors is framing Edgemont.
"Jeffrey has opened the door for us," Shaddix says, "giving
us a real opportunity to see what we can do with steel." That
includes testing brand-new tools and prototype techniques.
Shaddix
is currently testing pneumatic tools that shoot screws like a nailer. The
tools, produced by Japanese manufacturer Max, work for steel-to-steel,
wood-to-steel, or drywall-to-steel connections. Prostor and Shaddix also
are testing a new Swiss tool from Attexor that makes clinch connecfions,
eliminating screws altogether.
