Timber frame / Brick and block?

loftus

Hi

Am looking at a new developmen of apartments. It is a shared development. One builder uses the timber frame method and one uses brick and block. Can anyone enlighten me as to the advantages and disadvantages of either construction method. I could afford either, but would be stretching myself a bit more for the brick and block constructed flats.

Ta

Doozergirl

Timber framed houses are strong and last for years and years

They're not so popular and have been an issue for some lenders in the past (I don't know about now, though I doubt they would be building them if people couldn't get mortgages), but you can see just how long timber framed houses last by looking at towns like Stratford Upon Avon! The principle of modern timber framed houses is the same, but there's no real advantage unless you plan to live for 400-500 years!

I don't really know the advantages of one over the other. Modern Building Regs are very strict on everything, including things like energy efficiency so you should be confident with both builds. I'm a total romantic, so I'm a little biased on the timber frame side, but it should be the regular things like square footage, layout and light (position of new builds can make a house very different to the same design of show house) that swing the decision for you.

Good Luck whatever you decide!

bunking_off

Might be better asking on the DIY board as well.

I live in a modern (block built) house, and with dry lined walls - plaster boards mounted on battens approx 1/2 inch clear from the walls - it can be a pain in the proverbial hanging things on walls. As a rule, lightweight you can just use a rawlplug in the plasterboard. Medium weight, there's special fixings which spread the load on the plasterboard (although, bizarrely, the clearance between the plasterboard and blockwork is never sufficient so you have to drill a crevice out in the blockwork!). To the point of this waffle for really heavyweight stuff - cupboards, tv brackets etc - best practical means is to use long screws (fnarr, fnarr) through the plasterboard and void into the blockwork at the back.

My question would be what would you do for equivalent stuff in a timber framed building, where there is no blockwork to rely on?

ioscorpio

http://www.themovechannel.com/News/2006/March/1c.asp

rev229

we live in a modern timber frame house previously we lived in a brick and block there is no difference and we have never had problems with mortage or insurances. The timber frame house is much warmer and maintains the heat better, but all modern homes are much more energy efficient. The only problem is as said above is hanging anything on a wall or brick and block house was much better. We are about to have a new kitchen I have recurring nightmares that the cupboards will fall off the wall dispite the fact that the cuuent ones are still there!! As for a plasma screen on the lounge wall Well I am giving that a miss too!! But of course there are people who are very good with DIY who would have no problems as they know what they are doing we have no idea.

david29dpo

i have worked on site with both construction methods and would not buy a modern timber framed house. when push comes to shove, timber framed houses are no more than glorified sheds. sorry but its true.

aeuerby

Our timber framed house is toasty warm. The kitchen cupboards on the walls have been up for a number of years and haven't fallen down yet! :j Neither have the stairs:j

If we need to screw anything of weight onto the wall, we try and find the beams to screw into. As mentioned before you can get special fixings for plasterboard.

We didn't have any problem with mortgage and insurance either.

david29dpo, my house does not in any way resemble a shed.:D

adr0ck

only major difference for end user:

there will be less cracks / shrinkages in timber frame than blockwork

timberframe is more environmentally freindly

thats just about it

the real decision is

which flat do you prefer??????

the only other thing to bear in mind is when were the bldg regs passed on each of the developments...this is important .....just becasue their being built at the same time doesnt mean that they are necessarily being built to the same standard (it all depends on when the bldg regs were submitted (not necessarily approved...each councils different)

this is especially important with regards to heating and sound regs (most important in flats)