Building MethodsBuilding Methods

Types of StructureTypes of Structure

SOLID WALLSSOLID WALLS

Traditional solid Traditional solid walls were popular walls were popular up until the 1920’s.up until the 1920’s.

Walls would be Walls would be constructed in one constructed in one single solid wall up single solid wall up to 500mm thick.to 500mm thick.

Solid wallSolid wall

This single wall This single wall design has to :design has to :

Support the roof Support the roof and upper floors.and upper floors.

Prevent water Prevent water ingress into the ingress into the living areas.living areas.

Keep the inside of Keep the inside of the house warm.the house warm.

Disadvantages of solid wallDisadvantages of solid wall

A solid wall performs badly at keeping A solid wall performs badly at keeping moisture out of a property.moisture out of a property.

A solid wall is not very good at keeping A solid wall is not very good at keeping heat in.heat in.

This lack of insulation means that in This lack of insulation means that in winter the houses are often drafty, winter the houses are often drafty, very cold and costly to keep warm.very cold and costly to keep warm.

Benefits of a solid wallBenefits of a solid wall

Its MASS.Its MASS. The greater depth of a solid wall The greater depth of a solid wall

offers a natural insulation to keep a offers a natural insulation to keep a property cool in summer.property cool in summer.

WIDE LOAD SPREAD.WIDE LOAD SPREAD. The wider spread of the wall loading The wider spread of the wall loading

makes the property stronger and it is makes the property stronger and it is less likely the foundations will fail.less likely the foundations will fail.

CAVITY WALLSCAVITY WALLS

Houses generally Houses generally built after the built after the 1930’s should have 1930’s should have cavity walls.cavity walls.

A cavity wall has A cavity wall has an inner and outer an inner and outer layer with a small layer with a small air gap or cavity in air gap or cavity in betweenbetween

Cavity wall constructionCavity wall construction

Cavity’s are usually Cavity’s are usually between 50 and between 50 and 75mm wide.75mm wide.

Cavity wall ties are Cavity wall ties are used to hold the used to hold the inner and outer inner and outer leafs together.leafs together.

Cavity constructionCavity construction

Wall ties are Wall ties are usually stainless usually stainless steel or plastic with steel or plastic with a drip in the middle a drip in the middle to prevent water to prevent water passing across passing across them.them.

They are built with They are built with a high thermal a high thermal block to the inside.block to the inside.

Benefits of a cavity wallBenefits of a cavity wall

The cavity prevents water passing The cavity prevents water passing into the interior of the property which into the interior of the property which solves the problem of damp walls.solves the problem of damp walls.

Insulation can be added to the cavity Insulation can be added to the cavity which helps retain heat to the which helps retain heat to the interior of the property.interior of the property.

Timber Frame ConstructionTimber Frame Construction

This construction This construction relies on a timber relies on a timber frame as a basic frame as a basic means of structural means of structural support.support.

Timber frame constructionTimber frame construction

The open panel The open panel frame is covered frame is covered internally with internally with plasterboard.plasterboard.

It is filled with high It is filled with high performance performance insulation.insulation.

Timber frame constructionTimber frame construction

A vapour control A vapour control barrier is added to barrier is added to the inside to limit the inside to limit water vapour water vapour entering the wall entering the wall panel.panel.

To the outside face To the outside face of the panel is a of the panel is a sheathing onto sheathing onto which is a breather which is a breather membranemembrane

Timber frame constructionTimber frame construction

There is a 50mm There is a 50mm cavity from panel cavity from panel to external wall.to external wall.

An outer cladding An outer cladding of brick or render of brick or render completes the completes the structure.structure.

Disadvantages of timber frameDisadvantages of timber frame

Transporting the panels to site can Transporting the panels to site can be a problem.be a problem.

Generally the longest can be 12 Generally the longest can be 12 metres and the tallest panel can be 3 metres and the tallest panel can be 3 metres.metres.

The combustible nature of timber The combustible nature of timber requires vigilant quality control on requires vigilant quality control on site to achieve the required fire site to achieve the required fire rating.rating.

disadvantagesdisadvantages If the timber is not treated correctly in the If the timber is not treated correctly in the

first instance there is the slight chance of first instance there is the slight chance of rot or woodworm.rot or woodworm.

Sound transfer can be a problem if the Sound transfer can be a problem if the units are not designed well.units are not designed well.

Timber frames are designed and Timber frames are designed and manufactured to a tight tolerance and as manufactured to a tight tolerance and as such require accurate setting out.such require accurate setting out.

If wet timber is used in new construction If wet timber is used in new construction this could cause excessive shrinkage and this could cause excessive shrinkage and structural faultsstructural faults

Advantages of timber frameAdvantages of timber frame

Timber frame is the only renewable Timber frame is the only renewable construction material and the construction material and the softwoods used can be sourced from softwoods used can be sourced from sustainable forests.sustainable forests.

Timber frame can incorporate the Timber frame can incorporate the highest levels of thermal insulation, highest levels of thermal insulation, reducing heating costs and reducing heating costs and conserving energy.conserving energy.

AdvantagesAdvantages

The dry construction along with the The dry construction along with the pre built panels means a much faster pre built panels means a much faster build time.build time.

This dry construction means This dry construction means decorations can be carried out soon decorations can be carried out soon after completion of the building after completion of the building without risk of cracking and without risk of cracking and deterioration of finishes.deterioration of finishes.

Insulation.Insulation.

The best type of construction to The best type of construction to provide the most thermal insulation provide the most thermal insulation is a Timber frame construction.is a Timber frame construction.

The best position for insulation in a The best position for insulation in a house with a pitched roof is directly house with a pitched roof is directly over the ceiling.over the ceiling.

Glass Fibre, Polyurethane and Glass Fibre, Polyurethane and Polystyrene can all be used as Polystyrene can all be used as thermal insulation.thermal insulation.

Water based paints.Water based paints.

Water based eggshell paint is the best Water based eggshell paint is the best product to use for high traffic areas.product to use for high traffic areas.

It is easy to apply and can cover It is easy to apply and can cover surfaces in one coat.surfaces in one coat.

Stains can be washed off easily.Stains can be washed off easily.

Water borne paints are low odour and Water borne paints are low odour and low in solvents.low in solvents.

Solvent based paintsSolvent based paints

These usually contain Volatile Organic These usually contain Volatile Organic Compounds which evaporate rapidly Compounds which evaporate rapidly contributing to atmospheric pollution.contributing to atmospheric pollution.

Solvent based paints are petroleum based Solvent based paints are petroleum based and are a fire hazard.and are a fire hazard.

The strippers and cleansers such as meths The strippers and cleansers such as meths and white spirit are highly toxic to the and white spirit are highly toxic to the environment and the sewage system.environment and the sewage system.

They should not be used in large internal They should not be used in large internal areas because they are a fire hazard.areas because they are a fire hazard.