Construction process

For single level houses, typically, once the foundation Is prepared, it only takes one day to stand the Metra walls, fit the Metra ceiling, and fit the roof trusses.

Delivery

The Metra kitset house is delivered to site by truck fitted with a long reach crane. Typically the delivery  includes wall panels, ceiling panels, hardware, roof trusses, insulation, timber battens, interior doors and construction adhesive.

Metra kitset ready for delivery

Walls

An assembly drawing shows the wall numbers and locations of each wall panel. The driver operates the crane to lift the wall panels into position. Wall panels have rebates and grooves for exact location and alignment during assembly.

Assembly drawing

Bracing

Bracing connections to concrete floors can be achieved by fixing concrete embedded bottom plate anchors to the side of the Metra wall panel. 6kN – 30kN Bracing tie-downs are available to exceed the New Zealand Building Code earthquake and wind bracing requirements.

Bottom plate anchor

Metra wall panels are connected to timber floors by skew nailing through the wall into the floor joists. Exterior timber battens are fixed to the wall and boundary joist to provide a strong connection.

Metra wall to timber floor connection

Ceilings & roof trusses

Ceiling panels are delivered with the Metra kitset. Once the walls are stood, ceiling panels are placed into position. Temporary props are used underneath to support the ceiling until roof trusses, rafters or mid floor joists are fixed. No ceiling fixing are required from inside the house – all ceiling fixings are made from above the ceiling line.

Lintels

Timber lintels, LVL lintels and steel flitch lintels are fitted on site over large opening. Integral Metra panel lintels are sufficient for most window openings under 3m wide for houses with light roofs and without point loads over lintels.

Electrical and plumbing services

Services are generally accommodated in the cavity formed by the Metra battens in external walls, or in purpose made ducts and grooves formed by the panel manufacturer.

Exterior timber battens and insulation

Timber battens and insulation are fitted to the exterior walls. The timber battens provide additional strength to the walls and provide a cavity for wiring and plumbing services.

Interior doors

Special door jambs are required to fit over Metra wall panels for interior doors. Many of our customers find it convenient to have Metra supply the doors at the same time as the kitset delivery. Exterior doors and windows are fitted with architraves.

Fitting interior doors

Lockup

Once the building wrap is on and exterior joinery fitted, the house is at lock up stage. From this stage the finishing work is similar to that required for conventional timber framed houses.

Lockup