<b></b><p></p><p><b><b>Whilst the social housing sector is already riveted to steel frame construction, Andrew Leech finds that private housebuilders are taking a little longer to be convinced about its viability</b></b><br><b>Steel frame construction is perceived by some housebuilders to be detrimental to margins, but what is probably closer to the truth is that most housebuilders still see the technology as uncharted territory. </b><br><b></b></p><p><b><b></b><b>Why not steel?</b></b><br>Yet steel frame meets Parts E &amp;&amp; L requirements, has all the blessings of BRE, BBA, NHBC, and so on, and is fully endorsed by the major mortgagers. What is more, the factory controlled method of fabrication is just what Egan ordered and a recent survey suggests that within three years steel frame will provide 20% of the housing market output. And it is a major solution to the diminishing trade skills shortages which, it is suggested, could really bite in the next few years. </p><p>Indeed, the steel frame manufacturers are raring to go. But the private housing sector&amp;’s current lack of commitment to the technology is delaying essential investment by firms such as Corus Framing, one of the UK&amp;’s major steel frame contenders, in new plant which can speed up fabrication and thus reduce costs to the …