Timber-framed homes are nothing new within the UK, they’ve been part of our dwelling 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 have to take to appropriately establish whether or not a home is fabricated from timber or a unique materials and the way protected 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 type constructed after 1960.
Older timber-framed homes have been constructed utilizing wattle and daub or cob for partitions, to assist hold folks heat. Utilizing this materials was thought-about an actual ability of workmanship throughout the Tudor period.
After the Second World Conflict, and notably throughout 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 a long time after as a part of the New towns movement.
Now, because of the UK’s housing disaster, timber-framed properties 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 purpose of changing into web zero.
Nonetheless in relation to home constructing the trade has, not less than so far, failed to really tackle timber as a mainstream development method. In 2019 fewer than one in 10 properties in-built England have been timber-framed. Throughout the identical time interval, Scotland produced timber properties in over 90% of their new builds.
Nationwide, of the 190,612 properties 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 doable to see timber use throughout the UK develop to round 27% by 2025.
spot a timber-framed dwelling
Recognizing whether or not a home’s body is comprised of timber is getting more and more tougher to determine, particularly in new builds.
Most fashionable timber-framed properties have partitions which are constructed of an interior picket body to help the load of the constructing. This body will both comprise or be subsequent to the insulation of the constructing. It’s best to observe 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-about when establishing the wall sort:
The faucet check
Tapping the inside partitions is among the quickest methods to inform if the home has been constructed utilizing timber. You’re basically tapping on plasterboard mounted to timber studs so this can sound completely different to the stable sensation of tapping on a cavity wall.
Nonetheless, a cavity wall with a plaster-boarded interior floor mounted on picket battens or plaster dabs might produce an identical hole sound.
If it’s timber framed, you must hear the sample of sounds made by the vertical timber studs. It’s also possible to use a stud finding instrument, or use a steel detector to find the plasterboard fixing screws. It’s because masonry properties use dot and dab plaster for fixing plasterboard.
Home windows set again into the reveals
Some timber-framed properties might be constructed with the home windows according to the picket body, inflicting them to look barely recessed within the wall. Nonetheless, you must at all times ask if the home windows have been changed as a result of this may increasingly 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 picket triangular gable partitions might be seen, or might be lined by a sheathing board materials. This differs from cavity-built properties which are usually constructed from brick or block.
When the home is hooked up 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 is going to be 300mm. This thickness is thinner than conventional homes, however on the plus aspect it additionally means your private home is more room environment friendly.
Open perpends
Homes with timber frames usually have open perpends, extra generally referred to as vertical gaps, within the brickwork. They often have a ventilated plastic spacer, above floor degree at about 1.5m spacings. They’re designed to let air in to maintain the body dry and hold rodents and pests out.
Entry factors
Having a look on the exterior entry factors may be a simple approach 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 method of realizing if the constructing has a timber body.
Ask for paperwork
In case you are 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 private home or the native council to ask for a replica of the development drawings. This could point out what materials your private home is made out of.
What are the advantages of a timber-framed home?
Timber-framed properties include an array of advantages. Not solely are they constructed rapidly, they’re additionally higher for the setting because of the picket 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 dwelling disaster we’ve all been searching for methods to scale back our month-to-month payments, however timber-framed properties do that naturally.
The timber and the insulation work properly collectively to maintain your private home hotter for longer, which means you don’t have to hold reaching on your heating dial as a lot throughout the colder months. In flip, your power payments might be significantly decrease.
They’re simpler to transform
When you’ve lived in a home for a very long time and need to rework, or when you’re trying to purchase and have plans to renovate, then timber-framed properties are an incredible possibility. Load-barring partitions are sometimes the reason for constructing work not going down.
Remodelling traditional-built properties 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 robust and sturdy
Standard properties don’t evaluate to timber homes in relation to sturdiness. Timber is extra versatile when it comes to its foundations. Shifts in your basis won’t lower your construction’s stability, together with requiring little or no upkeep.
Timber can be extra proof against the unlucky occasion of fireside injury. Standard constructions use thinner cuts of wooden, whereas thick timbers are extra proof against burning utterly by way of.
They scale back undesirable noise
The constructions of some of these homes might help forestall the noise of echoes and soak up inner sound by way of the woodwork, which means you gained’t must hearken to your neighbours as a lot as those that are in conventional-built properties.
What are the downsides of timber-frame properties?
Regardless of the variety of advantages to timber-framed properties, there are – like each different materials – downsides to proudly owning one.
Hearth threat
There are research which present that timber-framed homes are extra vulnerable to fires getting uncontrolled than different supplies. However when you use fire-resistant timber and coverings, you may make your private home safer.
They’ll 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 properties may offer you an additional impediment to beat.
Some lenders might even see them as riskier due to the component of fireside. This in flip will imply your insurance coverage could also be greater consequently.
Fortunately there are some insurance coverage suppliers, comparable 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.
