Timber Framed House

Matt406

Hi
I’ve recently been granted planning permission and want to find out more about timber framed houses.

With changes to building regulations coming down the road are timber framed houses going to become more and more popular? What are the downsizes with modern day timber framed houses? Is noise still an issue with them?

I'd like to hear about peoples experiences with various timber frame companies, please. What they were like to work with, were they reliable etc. PMs please.

BE_MIEI

In my opinion, masonry construction is the only system that stands the test of time. There are very few, if any, timber framed buildings still standing over 100 years old. Any system that requires continuous maintenance will eventually deteriorate due to wear and tear over time.

ECO_Mental

BE_MIEI wrote: »

There are very few, if any, timber framed buildings still standing over 100 years old.

I am sure that there are thousands and thousands if not hundreds of thousands of timber frame houses still standing all over the world which are a well over a hundred years old.

CJhaughey

BE_MIEI wrote: »

In my opinion, masonry construction is the only system that stands the test of time. There are very few, if any, timber framed buildings still standing over 100 years old. Any system that requires continuous maintenance will eventually deteriorate due to wear and tear over time.

I can point to plenty of houses from the 00's, 90's,80's, and 70's that are uninhabitable because of poor building methods, both block and timber.
Its not the material it's made from its's how its designed and constructed.

sydthebeat

CJhaughey wrote: »

I can point to plenty of houses from the 00's, 90's,80's, and 70's that are uninhabitable because of poor building methods, both block and timber.
Its not the material it's made from its's how its designed and constructed.

in the context of Tf versus masonry... its all about the construction.

have a look here and here

beyondpassive

PM sent on 6 TF companies I'd consider capable of delivering next generation timber frame, unrecognisable from what passed as timber frame in the bubble.

In terms of the builds I've been associated with since 2010 My list is now
4 wide cavity at 225-250mm
6 wide cavity at 250-300mm
6 timber frame. 1 twin stud with cellulose, 3 Softboard and cellulose and 2 PIR and Glasswool (5 with block outer leaf, 1 with renderboard rainscreen.
9 external insulation on block on flat. 3 were renovations, two are commercial, one has a timber raincreen another a fibrecement rainscreen.
1 Shuttered Hemp lime on timberframe, (still at design stage)

I have never worked with SIPS or ICF (though I have specified insulated forms below ground.

For Ultra low energy building my own preference would be for timberframe, but I do understand that if you're building 'in the parish,' there is an obligation to spread the work around locally and giving work to the local blocklayers is a good thing. Irish people are very familar with the 3 little pigs storey from a young age and have a lot of faith in block. In reality it dosent matter what you build with, it could be rice crispies and marshmallow. As syd as said its about design and workmanship.

sinnerboy

beyondpassive wrote: »

Irish people are very familar with the 3 little pigs storey from a young age and have a lot of faith in block. In reality it dosent matter what you build with, it could be rice crispies and marshmallow. As syd as said its about design and workmanship.

Agreed.

Even muck dug striaght out of the ground . I wonder how long that could last ? :rolleyes:

sinnerboy

BE_MIEI wrote: »

In my opinion, masonry construction is the only system that stands the test of time. There are very few, if any, timber framed buildings still standing over 100 years old. Any system that requires continuous maintenance will eventually deteriorate due to wear and tear over time.

So what's the secrete here then. Maybe the Brit's could use your advice

beyondpassive

sinnerboy wrote: »

Agreed.

Even muck dug striaght out of the ground . I wonder how long that could last ? :rolleyes:

Or closer to home:

muck built is better builtl

BE_MIEI

In my opinion, unless timber is well maintained it has a natural propensity to decay over time. It is also food for many and varied fungal and microbial species. I agree that if good design and workmanship practices are implemented from the outset a timber frame will continue to give good service for many years. Unfortunately, in Ireland, good design and workmanship are often lacking and timber is a material that relies heavily on both. Masonry on the other hand is a simple, tried and trusted system, that is very forgiving to Irish building practices and generally gives very little trouble. That is my opinion anyway, I hope I didn't offend anyone.

BryanF

ECO_Mental wrote: »

I am sure that there are thousands and thousands if not hundreds of thousands of timber frame houses still standing all over the world which are a well over a hundred years old.

yes there are http://www.sda-uk.org/timber.htm and examples surviving from the 1200's around Europe http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timber_framing one or two in Ireland aswell http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/kfqlgbcwidid/rss2/

tred

Creak creak creak creak creak......tap tap tap tap tap....."whos running around upstairs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! get back to bed!!!

paddym3

tred wrote: »

Creak creak creak creak creak......tap tap tap tap tap....."whos running around upstairs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! get back to bed!!!

ha ha over come with 75 mm easy screed and 75mm acustic insulation under it to kill resonance from air borne noise

Captain Bligh

Matt406 wrote: »

Hi
I’ve recently been granted planning permission and want to find out more about timber framed houses.

With changes to building regulations coming down the road are timber framed houses going to become more and more popular? What are the downsizes with modern day timber framed houses? Is noise still an issue with them?

I'd like to hear about peoples experiences with various timber frame companies, please. What they were like to work with, were they reliable etc. PMs please.

Dont do it.

traditional all the way. much too expensive over block. maybe their prices are down but i dont think by much. i have nothing but problems with timber frame companies and erectors.

they are noisey and lose their heat straight away (the traditional timber frame ones that is)

as for the "speed" element....... well i could knock that down till the cows come home.

block all the way and if you have the loot get a concrete first floor. you'll thank me in years to come.

as for the 5000 ft of insulation in my cavity, well thats a personal choice, all ill say is the lobby group employed by the insulation companies is working. read up a bit on off gasing and why some types of insulation are banned in some countries. Tomorrows asbestos today??

anyway your kids will probably knock it to build their dream when you move into a granny flat beside their new build!!:D

Finally on energy consumption et al. if you dont turn the boiler on then you wont use any!! put a vest on in winter with a light jumper and suddenly you'll find most of your friends house are way too hot. Tee shirts and short pants are for summer.
An ongoing battle here at home need i tell you.

ps dont tell herself but when the boiler is on its actuallty a tape recording!

paddym3

Captain Bligh wrote: »

Dont do it.

traditional all the way. much too expensive over block. maybe their prices are down but i dont think by much. i have nothing but problems with timber frame companies and erectors.

they are noisey and lose their heat straight away (the traditional timber frame ones that is)

as for the "speed" element....... well i could knock that down till the cows come home.

block all the way and if you have the loot get a concrete first floor. you'll thank me in years to come.

as for the 5000 ft of insulation in my cavity, well thats a personal choice, all ill say is the lobby group employed by the insulation companies is working. read up a bit on off gasing and why some types of insulation are banned in some countries. Tomorrows asbestos today??

anyway your kids will probably knock it to build their dream when you move into a granny flat beside their new build!!:D

Finally on energy consumption et al. if you dont turn the boiler on then you wont use any!! put a vest on in winter with a light jumper and suddenly you'll find most of your friends house are way too hot. Tee shirts and short pants are for summer.
An ongoing battle here at home need i tell you.

ps dont tell herself but when the boiler is on its actuallty a tape recording!

ha ha honesty is great. bothe timber and block have advantages and disadvantages. if i listened to every one i would be sleeping under a log in woood away from all technology and life!!

do soem good research and make own judgement
@captain bligh cant you email me the recording save me taping my own keep wife happy so i can afford sky