Taking advantage of an inventive combination of steel building methods, the original tiny fibro cottage dating from the 1940s has become a stylish and contemporary two-storey home with all modern conveniences.

A new steel portal frame structure was constructed around and over the original cottage allowing important elements to remain, while providing the structural integrity to enlarge the home upwards and outwards.

The finished home is in the style of a tropical coastal Australian house, featuring roofing and walls clad in COLORBOND® steel with a massive upper level outdoor deck area with views looking towards the water.

"There is nothing more Australian than corrugated steel," John Jarratt says.

"Ever since I was a kid we've always built our own houses, with my father, myself and my brothers helping out with things like building a new bedroom - and then we'd live in it.

"The original cottage had a wonderful decorative pressed steel ceiling in the main living room, so we're keeping that and the downstairs bathroom to retain some of the 1940s character."

John Jarratt said that because steel was lightweight and easier to handle than alternative materials, it was easier to transport by barge to Scotland Island and erect on a sloping site.

"This is not the first time I've built a steel framed home - and there are strong reasons for using steel," he said.

"You can nail it, or screw it, termites can't damage it and on a sloping site like this virtually one bloke can carry a framing section - it's so light compared to alternative building materials.

"The house frames were prefabricated by Doyle Steel Frames and Trusses using the LYSAGHT SUPRAFRAME® system made from high strength ZINCALUME® steel, and the LYSAGHT QUIKAFLOOR® system was used for the sub-floors," Mr Jarratt said.

The two-storey, three-bedroom home features an enormous 64 square metre living room, with a similar sized outdoor deck area to take advantage of its coastal location.

The LYSAGHT CUSTOM ORB® corrugated roof is made from COLORBOND® Ultra steel in the colour Windspray, with LYSAGHT MINI ORB internal walls and ceilings made from COLORBOND® steel in the colour Surfmist.

"With all its corrugated steel, this is a classic coastal Australian design that fits very well into the relaxed lifestyle here on Scotland Island," John Jarratt said.

For more information please contact: Ken Clark
BHP Steel Ph: 9795 6836 Email: Ken.Clark@bhpsteel.com