Timber Frame.....Wind

foxdan

I am currently going through the planning process for a 2500 sq ft bungalow on an elevated site.
While on site I mentioned to a neighbour I was thinking about going Timber Frame. He told me a friend of his has a timber frame house also on an elevated site for about 10 years. He said the hardwall around the window frames is cracked. He thinks it was caused by the frame moving or flexing during high winds, The roof is fixed to the inner leaf and the window frames fixed to outer block built wall.
Did anyone else hear something like this?

themadchef

I live in a timber frame house on an elevated site.

Granted the house is only built since 2004 but i dont see any damage (yet ) hopefully wont. We live in an exposed coastal area, so we take a fair old bashing with the wind.

Never heard of that problem before.

CJhaughey

Hard to see that the cracks were caused by wind, if the concrete is cracked.
Opes are usually a source of cracks, has settlement been considered?

foxdan

The cracks are on the plasterboard-hardwall. they have been repaired but reappear after stormy conditions.

Builderfromhell

If timber was exposed to wind driven rain for long period then TF would have expanded and maybe then shrank after plasterboard on. I've had this occur with Timber partitions to 1st floor of Block house. Shrinkage was the only logical explanation.

yop

thats odd. We are up since 05 and no issues, yes we have settlement cracks but not due to wind.

kadman

foxdan wrote: »

. He thinks it was caused by the frame moving or flexing during high winds, The roof is fixed to the inner leaf and the window frames fixed to outer block built wall.?

Window frames are fixed to the timberwork, not external block leaf.

kadman

zod

I've been told that "you'd be mad to go timber frame now that brick built is as cheap" .. because the brickies are cheaper .. etc ..

whadaya think ?

CJhaughey

zod wrote: »

I've been told that "you'd be mad to go timber frame now that brick built is as cheap" .. because the brickies are cheaper .. etc ..

whadaya think ?

Yep I think you would be mad to go anything other than block, cheap is always best :rolleyes:

zod

CJhaughey wrote: »

Yep I think you would be mad to go anything other than block, cheap is always best :rolleyes:

Ok I'll spell it out for you cj

I was told block was better. Better to hang internal structures from and easier to insulate well, and generally longer lasting. Block however was traditionaly more expensive .. up to 20K more per house in materials and labour.

Now block is as cheap (or as expensive ) due to the recent downturn and therefore you would be "mad going for timber frame"

What do people think ?

CJhaughey

zod wrote: »

Ok I'll spell it out for you cj

I was told block was better. Better to hang internal structures from and easier to insulate well, and generally longer lasting.

What structures are you planning on hanging internally that require a block wall?
Easier to insulate well? IMHO this is complete balderdash, I have seen very few block built walls that have correct insulation detailing, even small gaps in the insulation lead to thermal looping.
Longer lasting? A cave will probably be around for the next 10,000 years, that doesn't make it a desirable home in my eyes.

muffler

This thread is about the potential effect of wind on a timber frame house. Please refrain from having a debate about the merits of concrete blocks & mortar Vs timber frame construction. Start a new thread if you wish but in the meantime keep the posts on topic please.

Could the problem be caused by insufficient ties between the timber structure & the block cladding? thus allowing one to move independantly of the other...

AckwelFoley

Depending on what you mean by "cracks" you will always get hairline cracks in any timber frame or timber construction. Timber is a "live" material and is constantly changing with the conditions, as plasterboard and plaster dont "move" and the timber does, you will in certain areas have cracks, the cracks can appear over door frames and window frames if the plasterboard is not fitted correctly, there should be no joint in the plasterboard over the left or right hand coner of any opening.