<b><b>Allison Heller reviews the ongoing development of steel frame systems which are still striving to establish their position in the private sector housing market</b></b><br><b>When it comes to established modern building materials, steel, with its combination of strength and light weight, is high on the list. While it has yet to find its feet in housebuilding, producers are confident that the recognised benefits of steel frame will drive growth in the sector, slowly, but surely. </b><br><b>Corus Framing started about eight years ago producing 350 homes a year, and is now one of the major players in the housing market. Its output has grown rapidly in recent years according to technical designer, Richard Wood, and its Surebuild lightweight pre-assembled frame system for residential development is gaining popularity. &amp;“There&amp;’s a gradual change in the way housebuilders work, a conversion process. The market is switching to frames and panel build, and housebuilders are coming around to realising that panel systems are good,&amp;” says Wood. </b><br><b><b>apartment opportunity</b></b><br> While Corus mainly sells straight frames, it also offers pre-decked floors and walls, and can produce clad panels, with exterior wall and insulation materials pre-installed. The company is currently working with Persimmon and Redrow, and Wood explains that …