Timber frame houses?

[kevinod]

Just wondering if anyone had any experience/thoughts on timber frame houses?

I'm looking at building a house, and came across an add for Kingspan Century who do timber frame houses, and looks interesting (if you believe all the sales talk at least).

They reckon its cheaper to build, and is cheaper to heat, gives better energy rating than the non-timber frame ones. Is that true, or more likely it depends on how you build the non-timber frame ones?

I've only started looking at this but I'll hopefully know soon if I can get some land to actually build on.

[kevinod]

So.... do you work for Kingspan, or a competitor of theirs?

[pergau]

We looked into buying a timber fremed job at one stage but what ultimately turned me off them was the fact the I couldn't trust an Irish company to build them correctly - they aren't as forgiving as brick built houses - the vapour barriers have to be perfect and the joints have to be bolted properly etc. When we looked at a development by LJH the site was full of wet sections that were lying about with the vapour barriers torn and half constructed houses that even my wife could tell weren't put together properly.

The other big problem with timber frame houses is that they are as noisy as hell. Sound travels through the wood so if you are going for one, it HAS to be detached and even then noise is a consideration. friends of ours live in one and it is deafening when you are in their house and the kids are playing in a different room. Don't think of putting a wooden floor in.

Also, you need to get the design right from the start as you can't alter it and it's difficult to make alterations to the house eg build an extension or knock a wall through, even to move a door to another part of an interior wall.

That said, They are warmer, more ecological and quick to build but I wonder if there will be so many of them standing in 40 years time when the kids who buy them now have finished paying their mortgague.

[IrishPhoenix]

Theres a place on the way to carlow called...(waiting for mate to give me name)

Here's another site : http://www.cygnum.ie/timber_frame_explained/faq.html

Have a look on www.selfbuild.ie out of interest also.

[IrishGirl]

Ignore that reply someone just brought this post to my attention and I was just replying to them..

Yeah I work for Kingspan century (Best TF compnay in Ireland & UK ) - Well im going to say that anyway of course but if you do get a TF kit of us it'll be me you'll be dealing with on the phone as regards the delivery of house etc..

In general TF houses are alot cheaper to build, there quicker put up therfore reducing labour costs and they keep in the heat very well.

In saying that tough you can build a good block house and insulate it very well and it will probably keep the same amount of heat as a TF house would.

There is so many pro's & Con's of block V TF - but IMO if i was building id build Timber Frame - Just for the simple fact of the speed you can put them up reducing labour costs, the savings on heating and energy bills you'll have.

If you need anymore information on our TF let me know and il get it for you

[IrishGirl]

I couldn't trust an Irish company to build them correctly - they aren't as forgiving as brick built houses - the vapour barriers have to be perfect and the joints have to be bolted properly etc

All our one off hosues arebuilt correctly - We would have one of our site supervisors out on the very 1st day of the kit been erected and he would supervise the erector to make sure he was doing everything correctly and was able to manage ok then when the house is fully erected the same supervisor would go back to site again and check everything was done correctly and if it wasnt the erector would be given a list of things to do to get it right - Builders are a different story however cause they have there own erectors and are ment to know what there doing and we dont supervise them but our TF kits come 100% correct from the factory.

The other big problem with timber frame houses is that they are as noisy as hell

You can sound proof the party walls and compartment floors with quilted insulation this will reduce the noise levels significant to that of a concrete house.

Also, you need to get the design right from the start as you can't alter it

Thats not true you can alter your drawings as much as you want once it doesnt affect the structure of the building and the point of designing your house right from the very start is that your house is exactly the way you want it and you wont want to be making any changes to it.

Like as i said in my previous post there is so many pros & cons of block v timber frame and it just depends on what suits you best. Everyone as their own personal preference..

[Myfeckin FTO]

Theres a place on the way to carlow called...(waiting for mate to give me name)

Here's another site : http://www.cygnum.ie/timber_frame_explained/faq.html

Have a look on www.selfbuild.ie out of interest also.

I sold some software to Cygnum (Palfab) a couple of years back - visited their site several times - quite impressed by their products - would consider this myself - though would have to be in the country in the right setting with a couple of acres. Think a combination of stone and wood works well.

[Muad_dib77]

I love this Forum!

[mick_dont_surf]

i used to work for ijm homes in monaghan a few years ago
and i agree century kingspan are the best.
though the problems of sound proofing cant be solved with insulation
this only dampens the sound
the only way to stop it is to create high density walls
usually by adding an extra layer of plasterboard each side
or use mdf instead of plasterboard(more expensive)

this creates structural problems with the extra weight.

all in all timber frame is better than block

the other option is a filled concrete wall with insulation form work
http://www.quadlock.com/
check this out. its a bit more expensive but you should save money

im currently building a house and one for my sister
so im looking at all these options now

mick
on heating bills, more than timber frame or block build

[kevinod]

There's some very nice looking house designs on century.ie, was looking through them last night. Not so much on Cygnum but I guess they should be able to do similar stuff.

The sound thing is something to think about, if it would be much extra to get the quilted insulation in, but I guess its more of an issue for a family...

Gotta find me a builder too to suss out the stuff the builder would have to do.

[IrishPhoenix]

Check out this place Kevin

http://www.botanicgp.com/index.htm

[pergau]

I bow to IrishGirl's superior knowledge.

Out of interest, do you have any info on how long a TF house should last?

[mick_dont_surf]

i live in a timber frame bungalow, sound is an issue

tf houses as with all houses have a life of 50yrs
many should last longer
in 50yr time the technology will be so much different
as anyone who has to refit out a 1950s house will testify

mick

[IrishGirl]

I bow to IrishGirl's superior knowledge

me knowledge i dont have any..! TBH I wouldnt know my ar2e from my elbow when it comes to TF . It just sounds like i know what im talking about

All i said was you can make changes your design drawings,dampen out sound with thicker insulation and that builders standards of TF houses arent great - Doesnt take a genious to know them things...

[soc]

We bought a timber frame house - it's a townhouse and the noise isn't really that bad - it's only an issue if the neighbours play very loud bassy music (which has only happened once thankfully) - they have a new born baby and we haven't heard it crying once....

The really good thing about living in a timber frame houses is that they are very quick, easy and cheap to heat....... a real plus with rising energy costs.