Timber Frame Dwelling in Ireland
Timber Frame Dwelling in Ireland
(OP)
Hello,
I am an engineer curently working in Ireland. I am looking for advice on timber frame constructed dwelling and what to look out for at the various stages of construction. Is there any so called common problems. I have also heard that the life span of timber frame constructed house is 60 years!! what happens after the 60 years?!! Should there be or is there a process after a this number of years that the life span can be extended.
Your comments and help will be much appriciated.
Regards
I am an engineer curently working in Ireland. I am looking for advice on timber frame constructed dwelling and what to look out for at the various stages of construction. Is there any so called common problems. I have also heard that the life span of timber frame constructed house is 60 years!! what happens after the 60 years?!! Should there be or is there a process after a this number of years that the life span can be extended.
Your comments and help will be much appriciated.
Regards






RE: Timber Frame Dwelling in Ireland
RE: Timber Frame Dwelling in Ireland
RE: Timber Frame Dwelling in Ireland
RE: Timber Frame Dwelling in Ireland
Another problem is tradesman cutting thru the timbers for their work which is a no-no.
I would also doubt that 60 years even in moist conditions. The outside of the timber can get wet as long as it has air circulation. An 8"x8" timber is a big piece of wood.
I designed timber frame homes for 5 years and hardly a single problem structually as everything is over designed.
RE: Timber Frame Dwelling in Ireland
Here in the US, 60 years is not a long time at all for wood or timber structures as others have noted. For true timber framing, the old methods work quite well.
RE: Timber Frame Dwelling in Ireland
I think Ron is correct the 60 years is in effect the design life of the building. Nothing catastrophic happens after 60 years - in reality the opposite is likely to be true - 60 years should demonstrate that the building is sound and normal maintenance is then likely to yield an indefinite life.
As to potential problems with timber frames try the following organisations:
BRE (Building Research Establishment) - They produced some good 'Defect Action Sheets' and reports of timber frame defects.
TRADA (Timber Research and Development Association?) - Used to produce good simple guides.
COFI (Council of Forest industries)
Nordic Timber Council
These are all UK based organisations but Ireland is not really different (and not significantly wetter).
Timber frame is a well documented subject in the UK as the house-builders of the 1970's merrily created large numbers of properties whithout regard to correct design or detail and this has subsequently needed research to verify their durability and safety.
RE: Timber Frame Dwelling in Ireland