Timber frame or block house

keyser2012

Ill be building another house again once the sale of my own homw goes through and im in two minds on what to build next. Ive heard that timberframe builds are cheaper than block and can be errected in a day or 2.

When ill be building the house ive got all family who are tradesmen and will be helping at low rates but im wondering will timberframe be the cheapest option. If so, id love to build this method of construction as ive read they are better insulated.

Im wondering is there anyone on here who has any info on costs between the two and what would be my best option.

The house ill be building is 7meters x 13meters and therel be 5bedrooms,3bathrooms. Ill be using attic trusses for the roof so i can get a few rooms there instead of wasting this area.

muffler

keyser2012 wrote: »

Ive heard that timberframe builds are cheaper than block and can be errected in a day or 2.

No, not true. I'd be very surprised if it was finished in 3 months.....maybe even longer.

keyser2012 wrote: »

If so, id love to build this method of construction as ive read they are better insulated.

No, not true. It doesnt necessarily mean that because the selling point over the years was (warmer/better insulated) that this is the case now. The revised Part L of the Building Regulations ensures that block built houses will now have huge amounts of insulation.

keyser2012 wrote: »

Im wondering is there anyone on here who has any info on costs between the two and what would be my best option.

You really need the plans drawn first and then price both methods and decide then.

keyser2012 wrote: »

The house ill be building is 7meters x 13meters and therel be 5bedrooms,3bathrooms. Ill be using attic trusses for the roof so i can get a few rooms there instead of wasting this area.

Again this would be included in your plans.

keyser2012

muffler wrote: »

No, not true. I'd be very surprised if it was finished in 3 months.....maybe even longer.

I just mean errecting the timberframe, not finishing it in 3 days

No, not true. It doesnt necessarily mean that because the selling point over the years was (warmer/better insulated) that this is the case now. The revised Part L of the Building Regulations ensures that block built houses will now have huge amounts of insulation.

when you say huge amounts , what do you mean ?

You really need the plans drawn first and then price both methods and decide then.

I have a plan drew down myself but not by an engineer yet. DOnt want to be paying an engineer just yet. want to figer out as much myself online before i hire one

Again this would be included in your plans.

....

muffler

I have edited your post to show it the way it should be. We dont allow text to be posted within a quoted post - see the forum charter.

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keyser2012

Just thought id update this as i didnt mention earlier. I was really looking to know how does a timberframe compare on price to a blockbuilt house if both them where at the stage to skim, taking out the first fix eletrics,plumbing.Just really looking for the material prices right up to that stage. The reason i ask this is because im looking to build by the cheapest method because i have all the tradesmen in my family who will work at low cost and also myself doing alot of the work.

sydthebeat

well depends if you want a "lada" timber frame or a "rolls royce" version. I've seen prices for timber frame differ by 100% in some cases.

in my opinion the average prices for TF versus block build are generally on a par with each other.

the main advantages of TF over block is a quicker build time, due to off site processes and less wet trades.

if you have trades persons in the family it should be very easy to price up the super structure and compare

tfker

Block house is the only way to go lad timber frame houses are ****, noise etc

snoopmadra

tfker wrote: »

Block house is the only way to go lad timber frame houses are ****, noise etc

noise in what form if the house(which im presuming) is detached.in what other ways are TF inferior to block build?

steifanc

tfker wrote: »

Block house is the only way to go lad timber frame houses are ****, noise etc

I have a timber frame house that I built and designed , no noise what so ever , and I have a recording studio in it .
Again , its down to the detail and professions that know what they are doing !

Jonnykitedude

tfker wrote: »

Block house is the only way to go lad timber frame houses are ****, noise etc

I built a timber frame house and the above is a load of crap, the father in laws house thats over 100years old is made with 2foot clay walls along with blocks on the outside and you can hear everything!

keyser2012

sydthebeat wrote: »

well depends if you want a "lada" timber frame or a "rolls royce" version. I've seen prices for timber frame differ by 100% in some cases.

in my opinion the average prices for TF versus block build are generally on a par with each other.

the main advantages of TF over block is a quicker build time, due to off site processes and less wet trades.

if you have trades persons in the family it should be very easy to price up the super structure and compare

Im looking something that is built to building regs, not really looking to spend crazy money on one thou. All it is really is some ply, stud work, breathable felt all put together. Ive even heard of people using this method on site doing it DIY so it doesnt really have to be made in a factory.

sydthebeat

keyser2012 wrote: »

Im looking something that is built to building regs, .....

thats absolute minimum baseline requirement.

keyser2012 wrote: »

All it is really is some ply, stud work, breathable felt all put together. Ive even heard of people using this method on site doing it DIY so it doesnt really have to be made in a factory.

again, at an absolute minimum the system should have NSAI certification.

DIY on site is NOT a valid option in my opinion, as it leads to problems with certification of the structure.

if you looking for "cheap as chips" version expect to get what you pay for.

keyser2012

sydthebeat wrote: »

thats absolute minimum baseline requirement.




again, at an absolute minimum the system should have NSAI certification.

DIY on site is NOT a valid option in my opinion, as it leads to problems with certification of the structure.

if you looking for "cheap as chips" version expect to get what you pay for.

I do mean what your saying and i wouldnt go with a diy, i was just stating that it can be done. As for absolute minimum requirements, Id be well happy with that.

If i were to figer out all what timber/felt etc that id need. How much labour do you think the timberframe compaines put on top of the quote for timber, just a wee brain wave i had earlier.

sydthebeat

keyser2012 wrote: »

I do mean what your saying and i wouldnt go with a diy, i was just stating that it can be done. As for absolute minimum requirements, Id be well happy with that.

If i were to figer out all what timber/felt etc that id need. How much labour do you think the timberframe compaines put on top of the quote for timber, just a wee brain wave i had earlier.

timber frame companies have in-house structural engineers who size up every piece of wood and every support structure. thus as i said NSAI certification is a minimum requirement for me.

so its not just the material and labour that you need to know

personally i would run a mile from a DIY timber frame construction, and i have previously.

gruby

my thinking is that less risk involved for keyser to go with traditional block-work as less-skilled labour required for it in compare to timber-frame construction.
if house will be designed with passive heat in mind (i.e. large window openings on south side) then blocks will retain the heat (thermal mass is low for TF) and slowly emit it.
Block building are more durable. You can insulate it well and have near -passive house easy.

I have plans for a self-build myself and found the traditional way (blocks) more attractive