When Tony and Mariella Di Blasi decided to build their 54 square dream home in Wesley Gardens, Werribee in which to raise their two young children, their draftsman specified Pryda Longreach for the floor trusses and recommended Pryda fabricator MB Pre-Fab Framing in Geelong to supply them.

Despite the large area, floor trusses were chosen instead of concrete so the floor could be off the ground to enable ducted heating to be installed underneath. The Di Blasi's also wanted polished floorboards, which they preferred supported by trusses rather than backed onto concrete. With its open timber web, Pryda Longreach was ideal for the installation of ducted heating as well as plumbing and electrical services.

The house began in March 2000 and with the Di Blasi's as owner builders, construction proceeded as planned as MB Pre-Fab manufactured and duly supplied 920 lineal metres of Longreach floor trusses, much of it in 5.4 metre spans. The company, which has developed a fine reputation and over the years won several Victorian Timber Merchant Association awards for its frame and truss production, also supplied wall frames and flat roof trusses for the home.

It was at this stage the Di Blasi's decided to line the kitchen and meals floor area with granite and install granite top benches. When Mrs Di Blasi inquired from a supplier about obtaining the material, she was advised to check the Longreach load bearings with MB Pre-Fab Framing.

MB Pre-Fab Framing director Doug Maxwell said the granite flooring added an extra 30 kilograms per square metre to the Longreach trusses with the granite bench tops providing additional loads. "So I asked Pryda engineers to examine the loads," he said. To safeguard the trusses spanning 5.4 metres in the kitchen and meals area, Pryda recommended installation of an extra bearer at 4.2 metres. The Pryda engineers also decided to place a ply gusset over one of the nail plate joints in those Longreach trusses supporting the granite top benches.

The next problem to face Pryda was the Di Blasi's plan to install a full sized slate base billiard table in the rumpus room with legs running in the same direction as the Longreach floor trusses. Mr Maxwell said it would have meant eight legs being supported on two trusses - four legs sitting on each. "To overcome this, Pryda engineers decided to install an additional two trusses with extra strongbacks on either side of the existing Longreach," he said.

"This in effect meant a triple truss for each set of four legs to ensure the table weight was properly supported." Tony and Mariella Di Blasi were extremely impressed with the willingness shown by Pryda and MB Pre-Fab Framing to solve these unusual problems in the construction of their dream home.

With parapet walls and a triple garage, their single storey house features three-metre high ceilings and a lounge, study, four bedrooms, three bathrooms, walk-in pantry and ironing room in addition to the rumpus room, kitchen and meals area. "With the additional trusses, bearer and ply gussets that have been fitted we are confident we will not have any problems with the extra loads." Mrs Di Blasi said.

Mr Maxwell said MB Pre-Fab Framing specialised in supplying different style roof and floor trusses to architecturally designed and custom built homes and was used to solving unusual problems in their construction.