A veteran carpenter plans to halve the time it takes to build a home and cut construction costs by up to 30 percent with his introduction of steel frame housing to the island.

Southside Carpentry owner Daniel Pereira incorporated Steel Frame Systems Ltd. to help solve the affordable housing crisis in Bermuda. His new business is affiliated with American Steel Frame Housing, an Atlanta, Georgia based company that has developed construction techniques using steel beams rather than wood to frame a home.

Mr. Pereira, who has been in the carpentry business since 1965, says that the light gauge steel is preferable to wood frames for a number of reasons.

?The steel system is stronger than wood and readily acceptable in the US. Wood is more expensive now than it was because of the lumber shortage, but the steel is a lot cheaper and most of it is made from recycled material, mostly cars, so it is environmentally friendly as well.?

Mr. Pereira says the technique will cut the average price of home construction by 30-35 percent. The cost of building a traditional block home in Bermuda currently stands at $250/square foot. Mr. Pereira says that with the steel frame, the cost for a home on the high end will be $170/square foot.

?That will be turnkey. Everything in it, just bring your clothes and move in.?

Mr. Pereira says that besides being cost effective, steel framing is also termite proof and non combustible. Each frame is made to measure and will be ready to go up when it arrives on the Island making it much quicker to erect. While a traditional home may take up to six months to construct, a steel frame home will go up in three.

Mr. Pereira said: ?The homes are all pre-cut, there is really nothing to do but put it together. It is like a big Erektor set.?

Obvious questions about rust, radio interference and safety during lightning storms and hurricanes are quickly dismissed. The homes are constructed of galvanised steel frame components to protect against rust and the big spaces between the beams mean the steel will not interfere with equipment such as radio, phones and television sets. Lightning is not an issue either because the steel frame provides a path to the ground. The homes are also designed to withstand hurricanes like last year?s Fabian where wind gusts were measured as high as 150 mph.

?All of the homes are rated for 170 mph winds and upwards, Mr. Pereira said. ?It can be engineered to withstand 200 mile winds but right now we have it engineered to up to 175 mph.?

Despite the different construction technique, Mr. Pereira says that locals will see no visible difference in the aesthetics of a steel framed home.The foundation, the tank and SKB roof will be constructed the traditional way, while the frame itself will be covered by cement sheets and plastered to duplicate the traditional building style. Mr. Pereira says that since framed homes are insulated they will be warmer in winter and cooler in summer unlike traditional block homes.

The Planning Department has already approved the building technique and Mr. Pereira says that the Bermuda Housing Corporation is among those who have shown interest in his business. He has trained with his American affiliate and is certified to begin construction.

?When we build the first home, American Steel Frame Housing will send out a team of instructors to show my local builders how to put it together. They will get certified as well so each time somebody comes down we can certify local builders here.

?That is one of the stipulations from the Planning Department that it has to be erected by certified people.?

Mr. Pereira is not the first person to offer up a alternative building solution for the housing crises. reported earlier this year that Paul James? company Design Source is poised to build modular homes that employ structural steel and uplift engineering.

Before duty, Mr. James said that his pricing would be under $150 a square foot. He too expects to be able to erect his units within a 12 week time frame.