Timber frame house

[S J H]

Just put in planning for a new ag dwelling. Originally thinking of concrete block with stone on the outside. I've never wanted a timber frame before, because I was worried about longevity, but I'm wondering if I'm mad for not considering it.

If we had a timber frame with stone exterior, then I could put the frame up myself, without rushing the stonework, I wouldn't have to pay for a block layer, or a plasterer to stick the walls, as I could plasterboard the studs.

Does anyone have any experience of building or living in a timber frame? Speaking from a couple of friends, they're very warm but the sound travels.

Thanks in advance, just thinking out loud.

 

[Dave6170]

9 out of 10 houses here are timber kits. Much quicker and cheaper. We re putting ours up at the moment and the whole thing is a ball ache!

 

[jamj]

For and against in both.
Timber frame erected faster, but you need a good brickee for the outside skin, who knows how timber frames work.
Easy to heat, but don't have the wall storage effect to hold the heat.
Slamming doors can make things fall off walls!
You can't hang things as easily; usually need to find supporting timber to fix to.
I have a friend who has made two for himself in his own workshop, but you need certified drawings to build to.

Many people now building block with wider cavity.

 

[S J H]

9 out of 10 houses here are timber kits. Much quicker and cheaper. We re putting ours up at the moment and the whole thing is a ball ache!

Does it fit @Dave6170 I only did 1 week timber framing on site, because most of the kit was wrong, I can understand them doing it on larger sites, I just prefer the idea of something built from blocks.

 

[S J H]

For and against in both.
Timber frame erected faster, but you need a good brickee for the outside skin, who knows how timber frames work.
Easy to heat, but don't have the wall storage effect to hold the heat.
Slamming doors can make things fall off walls!
You can't hang things as easily; usually need to find supporting timber to fix to.
I have a friend who has made two for himself in his own workshop, but you need certified drawings to build to.

Many people now building block with wider cavity.

Do you mean building block instead of timber frame? For the regs now, I'll reckon we'd end up with 400mm thick walls if we go for block.

 

[RWG Contracts]

@Extreme Optimist

 

[Dave6170]

Ours is a 6x2 kit so its pretty sturdy. Joiner made the kit on site after the foundations were built so it was bang on! The roof tiles were put on before any blocks are laid. The kit has to take the weight of the roof first

 

[ARW]

Is it creosoted timber?

 

[Dave6170]

Does it fit @Dave6170 I only did 1 week timber framing on site, because most of the kit was wrong, I can understand them doing it on larger sites, I just prefer the idea of something built from blocks.

Sorry i mean the whole process of a self build is awful! Mortgages planning tradesmen etc

 

[multi power]

What is the difference in price?
I have just been doing some fag packet sums and I'm shocked at how little money worth of blocks needed

 

[S J H]

Ours is a 6x2 kit so its pretty sturdy. Joiner made the kit on site after the foundations were built so it was bang on! The roof tiles were put on before any blocks are laid. The kit has to take the weight of the roof first

I could make the frame up if it was easier, and if it didn't cause too much upset with regs.

 

[S J H]

What is the difference in price?
I have just been doing some fag packet sums and I'm shocked at how little money worth of blocks needed

There wasn't much money in the blocks but I can see the labour adding up, also it would be in bits, to keep up with the stonework.

 

[S J H]

@Extreme Optimist

Do you fancy pouring a house Rob?

 

[jamj]

Was just trying to point out some factors to be considered.
Local guy has just built block house and his first one was timber frame.
Don't know how thick walls are though.

 

[multi power]

There wasn't much money in the blocks but I can see the labour adding up, also it would be in bits, to keep up with the stonework.

I take it stone is much much more expensive than blocks , couldn't you build blocks yourself?

 

[Deereone]

I bought a Potton timber frame and did the rest myself. I've never looked back.

 

[S J H]

Is it creosoted timber?

It would all be covered, but insect rot may be a concern in many years

 

[Extreme Optimist]

@Extreme Optimist

Mine is solid log rather than timber frame. Great to live in though.

 

[S J H]

I take it stone is much much more expensive than blocks , couldn't you build blocks yourself?

Stone is cheaper than bricks, but more labour. I've laid blocks before, but never got on that well, I'd rather pay someone and go and do some fencing, or labour for them to push it on.

 

[S J H]

I bought a Potton timber frame and did the rest myself. I've never looked back.

I think they've gone up a lot, the size I was looking at was £200k