Timber-framed homes are nothing new within the UK, they’ve been part of our house constructions for hundreds of years, however with extra new builds being constructed with this materials than ever earlier than, how simple is it to inform if timber has been used?
On this weblog, we undergo the steps you could take to appropriately determine whether or not a home is manufactured from timber or a distinct materials and the way secure it’s.
How frequent are timber-framed homes within the UK?
Usually there are two forms of timber-framed homes within the UK. We are able to break up them into Tudor-style buildings, which have been constructed earlier than 1900, and the newer model constructed after 1960.
Older timber-framed homes have been constructed utilizing wattle and daub or cob for partitions, to assist preserve folks heat. Utilizing this materials was thought of an actual talent of workmanship through the Tudor period.
After the Second World Struggle, and significantly through the 60s and 70s, timber-framed properties have been constructed to assist restore the county’s homes after the Blitz and are nonetheless prevalent in cities that have been created within the many years after as a part of the New towns movement.
Now, as a result of UK’s housing disaster, timber-framed houses are sometimes raised as the answer by the federal government to assist construct homes faster, and to assist save carbon and attain the nation’s goal of changing into internet zero.
Nevertheless in relation to home constructing the trade has, no less than so far, failed to really tackle timber as a mainstream development approach. In 2019 fewer than one in 10 houses inbuilt England have been timber-framed. Throughout the identical time interval, Scotland produced timber houses in over 90% of their new builds.
Nationwide, of the 190,612 houses constructed, 40,053 have been timber framed, with 22,790 of these located in Scotland, 13,711 in England, 2,183 in Northern Eire and 1,369 in Wales.
Figures from the Nationwide Home Constructing Council (NHBC) recommend the timber frame market share has developed from 19% in 2015 to 22% in 2021. The report did state that it might be attainable to see timber use throughout the UK develop to round 27% by 2025.
The right way to spot a timber-framed house
Recognizing whether or not a home’s body is comprised of timber is getting more and more more durable to determine, particularly in new builds.
Most fashionable timber-framed houses have partitions which might be constructed of an inside wood body to assist the load of the constructing. This body will both comprise or be subsequent to the insulation of the constructing. You must be aware that there could also be a slight cavity to permit air to maneuver across the timber, with the outer layer being a single layer of brick.
The next factors ought to be thought of when establishing the wall kind:
The faucet take a look at
Tapping the inside partitions is likely one of the quickest methods to inform if the home has been constructed utilizing timber. You’re basically tapping on plasterboard mounted to timber studs so it will sound completely different to the strong sensation of tapping on a cavity wall.
Nevertheless, a cavity wall with a plaster-boarded inside floor mounted on wood battens or plaster dabs could produce an analogous hole sound.
If it’s timber framed, you need to hear the sample of sounds made by the vertical timber studs. You may also use a stud finding software, or use a steel detector to find the plasterboard fixing screws. It’s because masonry houses use dot and dab plaster for fixing plasterboard.
Home windows set again into the reveals
Some timber-framed properties will likely be constructed with the home windows consistent with the wood body, inflicting them to look barely recessed within the wall. Nevertheless, you need to at all times ask if the home windows have been changed as a result of this will not at all times be the case.
Gable finish and firebreak within the loft
If the property has a loft, then the within of the wood triangular gable partitions will likely be seen, or could possibly be coated by a sheathing board materials. This differs from cavity-built houses which are typically constructed from brick or block.
When the home is connected to a different, the plasterboard could also be seen between lofts as a firebreak separation to assist cease the unfold of fires between properties.
Wall thickness
The wall thickness of a timber-framed home is often 250-300mm. If it’s a brand new construct it will likely be 300mm. This thickness is thinner than conventional homes, however on the plus aspect it additionally means your house is extra space environment friendly.
Open perpends
Homes with timber frames usually have open perpends, extra generally often called vertical gaps, within the brickwork. They often have a ventilated plastic spacer, above floor stage at about 1.5m spacings. They’re designed to let air in to maintain the body dry and preserve rodents and pests out.
Entry factors
Looking on the exterior entry factors might be a straightforward option to spot if timber has been used. Take a look at telecoms hatches, vents and meter cabinets. The openings will present the wall’s construction making it a easy, but surefire means of figuring out if the constructing has a timber body.
Ask for paperwork
If you’re unable to make use of the above strategies, or really feel uncomfortable doing so, you possibly can at all times contact the corporate that developed your house or the native council to ask for a replica of the development drawings. This could point out what materials your house is made out of.
What are the advantages of a timber-framed home?
Timber-framed houses include an array of advantages. Not solely are they constructed shortly, they’re additionally higher for the surroundings as a result of wood body absorbing carbon dioxide as a renewable power supply. Listed here are another advantages to proudly owning one.
They’re power environment friendly
Throughout the price of residing disaster we’ve all been in search of methods to scale back our month-to-month payments, however timber-framed houses do that naturally.
The timber and the insulation work nicely collectively to maintain your house hotter for longer, that means you don’t must preserve reaching on your heating dial as a lot through the colder months. In flip, your power payments will likely be significantly decrease.
They’re simpler to rework
Should you’ve lived in a home for a very long time and need to transform, or if you happen to’re trying to purchase and have plans to renovate, then timber-framed houses are an excellent choice. Load-barring partitions are sometimes the reason for constructing work not happening.
Remodelling traditional-built houses would require you to work round them and drive up labour prices.
With a timber body, this may be as simple as demolishing the adjoining wall whereas cosmetically adjusting rooms.
Timber framing is powerful and sturdy
Standard houses don’t evaluate to timber homes in relation to sturdiness. Timber is extra versatile when it comes to its foundations. Shifts in your basis is not going to lower your construction’s stability, together with requiring little or no upkeep.
Timber can also be extra proof against the unlucky occasion of fireside harm. Standard constructions use thinner cuts of wooden, whereas thick timbers are extra proof against burning utterly by means of.
They scale back undesirable noise
The constructions of some of these homes might help stop the noise of echoes and soak up inside sound by means of the woodwork, that means you gained’t need to hearken to your neighbours as a lot as those that are in conventional-built properties.
What are the downsides of timber-frame houses?
Regardless of the variety of advantages to timber-framed houses, there are – like each different materials – downsides to proudly owning one.
Fireplace danger
There are research which present that timber-framed homes are extra liable to fires getting uncontrolled than different supplies. However if you happen to use fire-resistant timber and coverings, you can also make your house safer.
They will make getting mortgages and residential insurance coverage trickier
Getting a mortgage is already robust for a lot of within the present monetary local weather, however timber houses may offer you an additional impediment to beat.
Some lenders may even see them as riskier due to the ingredient of fireside. This in flip will imply your insurance coverage could also be increased in consequence.
Fortunately there are some insurance coverage suppliers, corresponding to Adrian Flux who supply timber-framed home insurance at aggressive charges and may tailor an insurance coverage coverage to your precise wants.
For our greatest charges, name 0800 369 8590 or book a callback at a time that works for you.
