Treated LVL from Carter Holt Harvey overcomes the challenges of dream building  The Parsons residence, perched above the foreshore of Moreton Bay in Queensland, presented challenges on many levels - a multi-storey house of unusual design, a sloping site, termite danger, exposure to wild weather and a hands-on owner who was looking for light, easy materials. The use of Hyspan structural LVL and Hybeam engineered I joists from Carter Holt Harvey, treated for purpose, helped overcome all these issues, achieving architect Shane Keeffe's vision and owner David Parson's dream.
The house is grand but built in the casual Queensland style with large, open areas. To achieve the open aspect and sweeping water views, the façade features widely-spaced columns, the large open areas of internal flooring and decking and roof rafters that protrude to the exterior. According to Shane Keeffe, the site was difficult with a steep slope that ran down to the water of Moreton Bay. He needed materials that could span the large open areas in his design but were light enough to position easily. Once in place it was critical they remain straight and didn't shrink. "The Hyspan and Hybeam were the perfect solution," he says. "I use these products because I think they are dimensionally stable, lightweight solutions to providing framing on a problem site." The external Hyspan beams were also H3 treated against the ravages of the external elements. As the Parsons house has many decks there is a lot of exposure to the weather. The long, clear spans of the roof rafters were accommodated nicely also using H3-treated Hyspan, extending beyond the external wall and reducing the need for support walls throughout. Then the beams were painted beneath the roof overhang and the exposed rafter and bearer ends beyond the overhang and the exposed rafter and bearer ends beyond the overhang were end-capped with Colorbond for further weather protection and to enhance the feature. The Hybeam floor joists were also treated to H3 and used externally on the decks. Waterproofed fibre cement sheeting was used to create an impervious flooring to prevent water penetration onto the joists. Such an external use of the Hybeam was unusual says Keeffe but he explains that the house was in an exposed position, elevated and on the water and so will get driven rain, wind and so on. The H3 treatment was for peace of mind. 
For further information contact:
Carter Holt Harvey
Phone: 1300 658 8...
Fax: 02 9468 5....
Web: www.chhwoodproducts.com.au
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