Home improvement advice in timber frame house...

sammiejayne_2

Hi all, please could somebody help me with my dilemma...I live in a timber frame house (obviously the outer walls are brick) and I am having some alterations to the kitchen, my builder has removed the damaged iINTERIOR gable end wall back to the outer brickwork (removed the plasterboard and inner eggbox type insulation material) with the intention if replacing it with new plasterboard (dot & dab method)...the plasterboard will be approx 1" off the exterior (internal side) of the wall, he assures me that this will be sufficient space to allow air circulation and provide adequate insulation for the house....is this right? I have no doubts about his building work as he is a very experienced builder but I have been told that timber constructed homes are different and require different techniques, I have raised my concerns and the builder has assured me that I am worrying without cause....please could someone reassure me as I have recently moved and I have a young family and I do not have the money to get in surveyors/inspectors etc...this is causing me many sleepless nights :-C

Thanks in advance x

ormus

http://www.designforhomes.org/media/pdfs/timber_frame.pdf

i dont think hes correct at all.
the above will give you an idea of how a typical UK timber framed house is constructed.
page 11 is the external wall design.

sindersoot

I agree that I don't think his right, far from it. When we moved into our last house, timber frame, there were patio doors which we had removed and replaced with a window as they were off the bedroom. The Planning Department (in Scotland) were very strict about the construction the builder used and corrected him on a few issues. The brickwork, insulation, damp proof, etc had to be 100% more or less the same as the house had originally been constructed. I would definitely ask for a couple of quotes from builders that either specialise in timberframes or have experience working with them. It's better to ensure the work is carried out correctly at this point even if it costs you a bit more. If it's not carried out properly goodness only knows what problems will arise.:eek:

I'm also thinking is it dob and dab for the plasterboard onto the exterior brickwork, if that was the case, I am no expert but I would think that would cause dampness to travel right through the bricks, dot and dab to the plasterboard.

jennifernil

If what you have posted is correct, I would be VERY worried.

In a true timber frame house the timber frame provides the strength in the structure, i.e. the INTERIOR gable wall which you state he has removed was holding the house up.

The outer brick skin is purely there for weatherproofing and decoration, not strength.

jennifernil

seems the OP is not that worried after all!

iamcornholio

The OP's post was last October. They are either sitting in front of the wall with their feet up - or lying under it

Timber frames can be adapted, but the main issues of ensuring that the breather membrane and vapour barrier are replaced and intact, wont come to light for several years - and then the frame drops due to wood rot

jennifernil

Let's hope it is the former, and that her builder did a good job!

Note to self..........check date of original post.