Are timber framed houses the same value as concrete built?

Sigma Force

Just having a debate with myself, is a timber framed home worth the same as a concrete built home?

link8r

A friend of mine, Shane, sells Timber Frame Houses. He reckons they could be better value. I have one. It is incredibly easy to keep warm, I spend just €300 pa so far on heating (GAS fired) - it's 1,600 sq. ft.

http://www.timberframecentral.ie/article.php?id=2

Mellor

Now I wonder why your friend might reckon that.


OP, Its not as clear cut as concrete verses timber.

High spec timber would easily outshine concrete,
just as high spec concrete is better than timber.

Alot more of the high spec kit houses opt for timber (this is due to ease of off site work).
Just as alot of the bog standard stuff is concrete, more accustomed to it I suppose.


At the end of the day, they are basically as well built as you spec and enforce.

RKQ

I agree with Mellor, it depends on the spec, of course the three little pigs tell a different story!:D

muffler

Is timber better than concrete build? Someone will post a definitive answer here in about 20 - 30 years from now.

Do-more

But the question wasn't which was better but a question of value which is a whole different kettle of fish.

I built timber frame myself. But I often come across the perception from people that a concrete house is more "solid" and is consequently more valuable than a timberframe.

It usually comes in statements like "their asking €xxx,xxx for those and their only poxy timber" or similar.

Personally I think a lot of people place a higher value on concrete built rather than timberframe.

DOCARCH

I think this is a relatively good article on the whole issue:

http://www.completehome.ie/page/tips/39/

I personally think it is relatively un-biased?

All I say to people is that concrete is more forgving/relatievly fool-proof whereas if details re: dpcs, etc. are not got right with timber frame it is not forgiving!

RKQ

I used to be surprised by peoples comments that "timberframe would be as Sound proof as a blockwork house". But its only lately that concrete 1st floor slabs and 1st floor internal block work partitions, have become more common.

Usually timber frame and blockwork houses had timber first floors and timber stud partitions on the first floor - so I never understood that argument.

Timberframe was supposed to be cheaper because it was quicker to erect on site and therefore faster to get dry trades in. But with the huge workload in the recent past, trades had a backlog and weren't on site any sooner.

I don't think there should be a difference in value between the two, as both have advantages. I suppose its down to personal taste and circumstances. People with a certain preception who really change that perception. Each to their own.

Sigma Force

Soundproofing etc never bothered me too much as they are well insulated etc but what does worry me is how fire proof timber framed are compared to concrete. This to me should effect the value as you want to buy something that's as safe for your family as possible.