Timber Framed Houses

StevenMarks

Survey came back saying house I intend to buy is a timber framed one (10 years old).

Is there anything I should be concerned about?

A relative mentioned design life of 60 years but from what I can see masonry houses have the same design life.

I_have_spoken

>Is there anything I should be concerned about?<

Insurance?

SG27

StevenMarks wrote: »

Survey came back saying house I intend to buy is a timber framed one (10 years old).

Is there anything I should be concerned about?

A relative mentioned design life of 60 years but from what I can see masonry houses have the same design life.

My timber framed house is over 300 years old and still going strong. Insurance is no problem. Can't speak for modern timber framed houses but can't be any different surely?

comeandgo

The majority of houses in Scotland are timber frame and in a few years it will be the same in England, there were more and more of the housebuilders using timber frame before the "crash". There is nothing you need to be concerned about regarding structure.

StevenMarks

OK, thanks people. That's pretty much what I expected.

One other question regarding putting up shelves. Some posts online seem to suggest you need to be careful putting up shelves due to way house built. But isn't that the same as with normal new houses where the plasterboard is attached to batons or thin internal walls?

SeaSpray

What about rot or woodworm?

SG27

SeaSpray wrote: »

What about rot or woodworm?

If the house is around 10 years old all the wood will be pre treated.

Fuzzyness

my house is timber framed. well insulated and more energy efficient than traditional brick and block. buidlings insurance no problem so not sure what you're worrying about.

jennifernil

StevenMarks wrote: »

OK, thanks people. That's pretty much what I expected.

One other question regarding putting up shelves. Some posts online seem to suggest you need to be careful putting up shelves due to way house built. But isn't that the same as with normal new houses where the plasterboard is attached to batons or thin internal walls?

Depending on the weight a shelf is to carry, you will need a suitable fixing.

These are called "hollow wall anchors" and can be found lots of places, they will support a good amount.

http://www.screwfix.com/p/hollow-wall-anchor-5-x-52mm-8-16mm-pack-of-10/12229

We have used 100s of these over the years.



For very lightweight stuff you can use "self drilling plasterboard fixings" such as these.

http://www.screwfix.com/p/fischer-metal-35mm-self-drill-pack-of-100/47347


For something really heavy you are best to either screw into the vertical timbers in the walls, or attach horizontal battens to them and then screw into the battens.

The PB glued to the walls or fixed to thin battens in some brick/block constructed houses is much worse to deal with IMHO.


We have a TF house, now 25 years old, no rot or woodworm, all timber used is pressure treated. And no problems with insurance.

StevenMarks

Fuzzyness wrote: »

my house is timber framed. well insulated and more energy efficient than traditional brick and block. buidlings insurance no problem so not sure what you're worrying about.

I'm not worrying; I''m asking a question.

As I said in the OP, a relative mentioned a 60 year design life. Looked further and that design life is the same as a masonry built house.

StevenMarks

jennifernil wrote: »

For something really heavy you are best to either screw into the vertical timbers in the walls, or attach horizontal battens to them and then screw into the battens.

The PB glued to the walls or fixed to thin battens in some brick/block constructed houses is much worse to deal with IMHO.

Thanks for the response. The shelves I have are the type with metal strips that the shelf supports slot into, so each strip has about four screws in. And they were previosuly attached to plaster board attached to external walls rahther than the wall itself so I think I'll be fine.