Would you buy a timber framed house?

scottishblondie

In Scotland the majority of houses are timber frame. I've never lived in a house that wasn't timber frame! My current house is a 3 storey timber frame townhouse, and I got a mortgage with HSBC no bother. My parents have had a succession of mortgage lenders over the years. Lenders have no problem offering a mortgage. As long as the house is well built there is no more to worry about in timber frame house than any other house.

brodawel

My friend has just built a timber framed house, it's lovely and it's their forever home (apparently) and they built it with a very small budget. However I still wouldn't buy an older 1970's 80's one. I also wouldn't buy another stone house having done that once! Never thought I'd ever say this but I now want a 1970's ish brick bungalow with big windows, lots of light, decent sized rooms and nice layout.

hazyjo

Just realised the OP...


Is this another hypothetical question, or are you considering one?


Jx

dragonsoup

berbastrike wrote: »

What was the disaster?

Builders nailing down the floor boards in the sitting room managed to put one though a water pipe. Unfortunately the leak wasn't discovered for several weeks after they moved in by which time the timber frame was soaking wet. They had the floors up and de-humidifiers running for months.

System

What do you thinks the lifespan of timber frame house is? (with brick outer layer)

agrinnall

hazyjo wrote: »

Just realised the OP...


Is this another hypothetical question, or are you considering one?


Jx

Be very careful what you say about the OP or you may be threatened with a ban - I speak from personal experience.

teneighty

scottishblondie wrote: »

As long as the house is well built there is no more to worry about in timber frame house than any other house.

Unless you consider that all the structural frame is made from cheap flimsy softwood framing and plywood, not unlike a posh garden shed. If you get a hidden plumbing leak or condensation behind the vapour barrier you could be looking at major structural repairs. As for a fire? Well just keep your fingers crossed.

The benefits of lightweight timber panel construction is they can be built quickly and cheaply, that's why the mass house builders love them and cheap self builds. I would go for traditional masonry construction every time.

ouraggie

Hi. I have a circa 1860 timber framed house. Got a mortgage no problem but not all insurers will do timber frames and I pay a bit more as it's a great er fire risk.
Damp can be a problem but can be kept at bay with good ventilation. I keep windows cracked open at all times unless it's freezing or rainy. I also have trickle vents in the double glazing. I keep an eye on all ceilings etc for any signs of damp, as if you don't catch it early on and deal with the cause eg broken roof tile the wood acts like blotting paper .
One challenge not yet mentioned is trying to fix curtain poles, shelves etc to an external wall. Total nightmare!
Hope this helps.

ouraggie

Hi. I have a circa 1860 timber framed house. Got a mortgage no problem but not all insurers will do timber frames and I pay a bit more as it's a great er fire risk.
Damp can be a problem but can be kept at bay with good ventilation. I keep windows cracked open at all times unless it's freezing or rainy. I also have trickle vents in the double glazing. I keep an eye on all ceilings etc for any signs of damp, as if you don't catch it early on and deal with the cause eg broken roof tile the wood acts like blotting paper .
One challenge not yet mentioned is trying to fix curtain poles, shelves etc to an external wall. Total nightmare!
Hope this helps.

hazyjo

agrinnall wrote: »

Be very careful what you say about the OP or you may be threatened with a ban - I speak from personal experience.

I know - and worded it very carefully


Jx