Insurance for Timberframe

lownhard

Have been researching insurance for timberframe housing. I had to do a bit of digging to find out that it is very difficult to get insurance without a masonry outerleaf on the house. Called a few companies last week and they all want mansonry outer leaf. So external eps/woodfibre board is a non-runner unless you want to pay through the nose for house insurance.

Does cement board count as a masonry outer-leaf?

When are the timberframe companies/phai going to start lobbying/educating to reverse the backward view of Irish insurance companies?

sas

lownhard wrote: »

Have been researching insurance for timberframe housing. I had to do a bit of digging to find out that it is very difficult to get insurance without a masonry outerleaf on the house. Called a few companies last week and they all want mansonry outer leaf. So external eps/woodfibre board is a non-runner unless you want to pay through the nose for house insurance.

Does cement board count as a masonry outer-leaf?

When are the timberframe companies/phai going to start lobbying/educating to reverse the backward view of Irish insurance companies?

Having looked into this a few years ago, cement board didn't count as a masonry leaf.

The timberframe companies don't care because in the vast majority of cases, a block outerleaf is being used. If you can afford to use the likes of rendered woodfibre board (which I wouldn't) then you can afford the hike in insurance premium that comes with it.

I had it out with the technical manager in NBT a few years ago about rendered fibre board. I pushed on the issue of "what if" the render cracks or gets damaged in a place which is not obvious. He stated that the results would be uncertain. That's not good enough.

TF without a cavity in my opinion is to be avoided at all cost.

lownhard

sas wrote: »

TF without a cavity in my opinion is to be avoided at all cost.

I'm inclined to agree with you. And I like the idea of a block outerleaf. If anything just to puck sliotars off

But for the sake of playing Devil's advocate

http://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/blogs/dept/musings/getting-insulation-out-your-walls-and-ceilings

Viking also offering ewi (eps) on timberframes.

sinnerboy

sas

lownhard wrote: »

I'm inclined to agree with you. And I like the idea of a block outerleaf. If anything just to puck sliotars off

But for the sake of playing Devil's advocate

http://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/blogs/dept/musings/getting-insulation-out-your-walls-and-ceilings

Viking also offering ewi (eps) on timberframes.

Linking to a site called "greenbuild..." doesn't support the argument as they will clearly be biased.

If you have green leanings then more power to you. Some of the cement panel boards are fantastic products as I understand it and would land on the greener site of "not so green".

Keep in mind though that block outerleaf is just so robust relative to anything else. Also very cost effective at the moment.

I built with block on flat and ewi. I am happy with it, if it wears well I'll continue to be happy with it.

If I had the benefit of a time machine I'd go for wide cavity, again for the robustness of block weather layer.

Very best of luck with whatever you do incidently.

lownhard

sas wrote: »

Very best of luck with whatever you do incidently.

Thanks

sinnerboy

A building faced with a thin render over a petrochemical based insulation board over a timber frame will ignite more easily than one faced with blockwork and cavity over timber frame.