Introduction
Modern construction comes in many forms, from traditional masonry, to precast concrete, to steel, and recently timber frame structure.
Timber frame and masonry building are very similar looking buildings. During the last thirty years in Ireland the key type found in home dwelling was masonry construction which consists of block interior leaf, cavity, insulation and a block outer leaf, externally finished normally with a brick or plaster rendered stop. During the last twelve years timber framework construction has grown to account for practically forty percent of the market. Timber frame building consists of an off site designed building which happens to site and the items are built to complete the unit. The external finish is similarly to masonry with brick or plaster rendered stop. The reason behind chosen this issue is to find why this change happened. The purpose of this dissertation is to examine the Irish housing marketplace over the last period of time, also to discover the reason why for timber shape construction more popular.
Aim
To find out why the tendency of building home real estate in Ireland has modified from masonry structure to timber frame construction.
Objectives
- To research the Irish housing marketplace and find reasons for the trend change from masonry construction to timber framework construction.
- To examine why timber frame development is continuing to grow to the level it has over masonry development.
- To examine the views of homeowners and property builders towards timber frame construction.
Literature Review
The primary data will be sourced from RGU databases, Web sites, RGU literature and journals. Relevant Irish federal government reviews and websites will also be looked at to get an unbiased view. Also the views of the structure agencies in Ireland will be explored.
Research and methodology
The author packages on doing a comparison of both construction types in order to achieve known reasons for the move in tendency. The brief assessment case studies will include cost, time, heat and energy of both types of engineering.
Questionnaires
Questionnaires provided the primary research because of this dissertation. The writer shall do up one and present it out to relevant homeowners and property coders to get an insight to their views. By doing this the author will find out the marketplace probable of timber framework construction.
Structure of Dissertation
Chapter One
This chapter clarifies the name of the dissertation, introduces the motivations and provides a background for the reasons for choosing this subject matter. The author explains to the reader the aim and objectives of the dissertation and how they are going to be achieved.
Chapter Two
The literature review will research in tendency in Irish building. Current construction firms accounts will be viewed to try and gain an perception to the change in pattern. The author feels that this will achieve the first objection of the dissertation.
Chapter Three
This chapter will investigate both building options in regards to to cost, time, temperature and energy. This will likely be achieved by a number of interviews and case studies. Areas looked at will be development cost and life circuit costs. Also will include a research study of both types of development where U-Values and Building Energy Score will be performed and assessed to get an understanding into why the style shifted. The author feels that will achieve the second objection of the dissertation.
Chapter Four
This chapter the ideas and views of homeowners and property developers towards timber shape building and masonry structure are explored through a questionnaire. The writer feels this will achieve the 3rd objection of the dissertation.
Chapter Five
In this finally chapter the conclusion offers a brief overview of the finding of the preceding chapters.
Literature Review
Background
Over 70% of home in the developed world are timber framework homes. 60% of Scottish new dwelling are timber shape and over all in the United Kingdom timber frame accounts for 15% of new homes. Ireland is slowly and gradually pursuing our neighbours. During the last ten year Ireland had been experiencing a structure boom. Housing items been completed in 2000 being 49, 812 devices growing to 62, 686 in 2003, peaking in 2006 with 82, 980 product completed. After 2006 the housing market in Ireland started to fall, amounts of units being built in 2007 being 71, 356 continuing to show up in 2008 as 48, 151 models and continuing to fall in 2009 2009. (Central Reports Office Ireland 2008)
Many casing estates and apartment blocks have been popping up atlanta divorce attorneys city, town and town mainly round the computer belt around the capital city of Ireland Dublin. Then gradually all of those other country following. In 1992 timber framework construction take into account only 5% of the new dwelling market. Since then it is continuing to grow to great levels to account for 30% of total real estate engineering nationally (Development Industry Federation 2009).
Typical these building were made by masonry development, this consisted of a 300mm cavity wall structure with block internal leaf, insulation, cavity and a brick/stop outer leaf done with a plaster render. During the last seventeen years timber framework construction shows steady development. Timber frame structure consists of an off site constructed building which occurs to site and the bits are constructed to complete the machine. The external finish off is similarly to masonry with brick or plaster rendered block. Some industry experts predict that by 2012 it'll take into account 50% of the new dwelling market.
"The timber shape industry in Ireland has shown durability and resilience, despite these difficult economical times. When the upturn comes, timber structure structure will be offered numerous opportunities. " (Maurice Buckley, CEO, NSAI - National Standards Authority of Ireland. )
Reasons because of this happening?
Energy
In Ireland during the last period of time there has been a submit attitude about the environment, which includes in a few part led to changes been carried out by the construction industry with regard to energy saving. The main issue that has come to the fore by using an Irish home level is the conservation of fuel and energy utilization. The development industry has been discovered as a considerable part of the national energy invoice. Attitudes of programmers and home-owner are changing to environmentally friendly buildings. Due to this timber frame development has seen a steady growth. Timber framework is alternative building option, for each tree decrease two more are planted. The expense of turning the organic product into a building material is conceivably less than traditional methods.
"Timber is the sole sustainable green commercially practical building material. The development of concrete produces vast amounts of SKIN TIGHTENING AND (C02), that includes a negative effect on the environment and contributes significantly to global warming. " (Irish Timber Shape Manufacturing Connection 2009)
Speed
As the construction growth grow so did the need for enclosure and more importantly fast housing. Among the primary factors for this turn towards timber shape is quickness of construction. The framework of the building can be erected in a number of days which compared to typical masonry building is incredibly faster. This is because of the timber structure been built off site in a stock and delivered to site as a well planned process of assemblage. Masonry on the other palm takes a amount of weeks to attain roof level while timber shape is erected in several days. Even in wet weather work can still continue as a scaffolding system is in place around the building blocks, while blocks for masonry structure can only just be laid in dry out weather. Also with timber structure construction the building is weather confirmation much faster so interior works can start more speedily. Also most of the slower help plumbers and electricians such as first mending is a lot easily done in a timber framework house. "Timber body has 30% shorter, more predictable engineering time than brick and stop" (UK Timber Framework Relationship 2009).
In masonry development the utilization of wet investments in the build triggers extra time needed for drying out. Because timber shape is a dried form of building there is absolutely no drying out time which is a saving of a number of weeks. Also for that reason there may be less lightly a threat of cracking showing up on wall surfaces and ceilings for shrinking which may appear in masonry frequently.
Cost
The cost of a timber body house is similar to masonry built. Unlike masonry, costs of a timber body build can be fixed long before the foundations are poured. That is due to many timber framework suppliers also fix the structure. So a fix price for a set solution. No rainwater days for damp deals or no additional costs.
"This ensures that the additional expenditures that spiral as a building progress can be eradicated. " (Irish Timber Body Manufacturing Relationship 2009).
The quantity of persons need to repair the structure is leaner when compared to a masonry build, also with regard to time, time is money therefore the faster the build the cheaper for the developer and homebuilder. Also the hand over time for a full dwelling is must faster which means this will advantage developer's cash flow and profitability. Because of the speed of engineering on site security cost or greatly reduced.
Flexibility of Layout
Because timber casings internal wall surfaces being structure out of light think about partition walls the internal space of your timber body build is very versatile. Any blunders in design of internal walls is easily rectified, where as masonry internal wall membrane would be particularly more difficult to correct.
Case Studies
Introduction
To come on known reasons for the tendency mover towards timber shape construction and get a genuine indication of the cost difference in both timber shape and traditional masonry home construction the writer viewed two key areas, engineering costs and life pattern costs. With regards to construction costs the regions of preliminary costs; seed and equipment costs and site labour costs are viewed in greater detail.
Construction Costs
Preliminary Costs
Every construction project incurs primary costs. Primary costs are thought as,
"Costs which are directly involved with the overall completion of a engineering project" ( Roy Chudley 2002)
These costs include items such as site management, insurance for the project, individuals and operatives. On much larger sites where site cabins, offices, storerooms, toilets and canteens are required the costs incurred are generally known as initial costs.
For each job there can be an allowance set aside for initial costs. Yet, in relation to timber frame building these costs are included in the overall timber shape package. That is a result of the majority of the work necessary for timber frame structure being completed off site, which in turn makes the budget costs a whole lot cheaper than traditional masonry. Derek Moore a director with Timberline building contractors Ltd Dublin state governments,
"by pre-manufacturing the timber framework off-site, houses are designed more cost effectively". (Pick a Pro 2009)
To regress to something easier this aspect the Irish Timber body manufactures association claims "this technique of structure is not cheaper especially if the constructor hasn't thought his routines through but because manufacturer fabrication means much better predictability, better settings and of course, a faster tempo" (Irish Timber Shape Manufacturing Relationship 2009).
This is not the case for its traditional masonry counterpart as primary costs are needed as a separate budget, this is because of the fact that all of the work necessary for traditional masonry is completed on site. Most the preliminary budget for the traditional masonry method includes retain of seed and provision for skips and concrete silos on site etc. Another factor to be taken into consideration is the period of time taken to create a timber shape house, which is significantly lower than that of traditional masonry counterpart. Costs such as site guidance and the necessity for engineers and the like on site are greatly reduced.
Plant and Equipment Costs
Plant and equipment costs should be studied in to consideration when working with building costs. Every job requires certain types of equipment and place to handle work to a finish. According to Colm Kilroy a variety surveyor with Michael Higgins and affiliates in Galway, "plant and equipment costs are a major part of all construction projects, the utilization of such equipment is essential as big money can be squandered due to bad management and planning on site". He extended to state "if plant is required on site for a certain job it is vital that the site is ready for that equipment as once it occurs on site it needs to be paid for. " (Colm Kilroy 2009)
The weather can also takes on a part in herb and equipment costs, adverse weather conditions can lead to a lot of equipment being still left idle as the cost for having it on the website continues to be being charged. Certainly the weather conditions cannot be manipulated by the project team however in durations of forecasted bad weather the purchasing of herb and materials should be avoided when possible.
Site Labour Costs
This portion of site labour costs greatly is different with both methods of construction. Most of the factors in relation to cost for the timber body method of structure are all inclusive of the over timber structure package, a lot of the work to be carried out by specialised labour is completed in the factory and once the timber shape device leaves for the site their work is completed.
This in turn reduces any call back again costs, to complement this, the Irish timber shape manufactures association areas that,
"There are lower call back again costs; any problems encountered can be removed immediately by the timber framework specialists before going out of the manufacturing plant. " (Irish Timber Structure Manufacturing Association 2009)
The cost for the labour to rectify these problems is still including the timber body package.
Traditional masonry engineering is compared carried out differently with all the current engineering work associated with traditional masonry been completed on site and with each individual trade needing labour to handle the work.
Cost Case Study
The author compiled a cost comparison from a development contractor's point of view for the introduction of a timber shape and masonry domestic dwelling. The house plans used to handle this evaluation were based on a single house in a development of five similar homes, only the major components of the buildings were included in the rates. for the assessment were obtained from Barry Doyle a quantity surveyor with a Co Carlow company and John O Connell a building service provider in Co Galway.
The timber body house is more expensive to create than its masonry counterpart. There is a cost difference of approximately 9, 000 between both methods to construct a single house taking the primary structural elements directly into factor. For the development consisting of five residences where this house is situated the total price difference in the construction of the five houses using both ways of construction can be up to 45, 000 to 50, 000. The following information shows the reasoning behind the price differences for the key components of the engineering.
Timber body kit
This element appears to be very expensive but the majority of materials had a need to complete the timber structure house like the labour necessary for the structure are included.
Concrete raft foundation
The price of the raft foundation differs as there may be less steel required in the raft for the timber frame house compared to the masonry built house, this causes savings for both the labour and materials.
Block work
The difference in the price of the block work is due to the inner leaf and the internal surfaces of the timber framework house been constructed of timber.
Roof
The timber framework kit incorporates most the roof in the over all package that leads is an enormous price difference from the standard roof covering for the masonry dwelling.
Insulation
Due to the requirement for much more insulation in the timber framework house there's a difference in price over its masonry counterpart.
Slabbing
As with the insulation due to the amount of timber stud interior partitions and timber inner leaf surfaces the timber shape dwelling requires more plaster plank than the masonry method which raises both amount of materials and labour.
Plastering
The plastering component differs solely because of the reduced quantity of scratch jacket required in the timber shape house.
Carpentry
The price difference with regards to carpentry is a result of a lot of the timber work coming pre fabricated within the timber frame package, a good example being the entry doors coming pre hung with ironmongery fixed and architrave already attached.
Main contractors Profit
The main companies earnings has been determined on the typical ratio being 5%.
Life Cycle Costs
Introduction
Life cycle costs are generally interpreted as, "The operating costs of structures over the forecast useful life related to them" (Bruceshaw 2009)
These costs include original capital costs, job costs and functioning costs. With regards to the building industry and specifically to the traditional masonry and timber body methods of building, life routine costs are crucial in deciding which is the overall cost effective approach to construction is. Within this chapter the writer discusses areas including the running costs and other costs that are involved with both forms of construction.
Design Variations and Alterations
From an aesthetic point of view timber body and traditional masonry built dwellings when constructed look very similar, however timber structure houses,
"Enable more flexible designs than block built homes" (Select a Pro 2009)
The question is once the house is designed how easy could it be to handle modifications to the design. In relation to these alterations Kingspan Century express,
"Because of the fact the inner leaf of your timber frame house is made from wood and plasterboard, and not concrete blocks and plaster, extensions and modifications generally have significantly reduced effect on the existing building". (Kingspan Hundred years 2007)
To further this declaration MBS Timber shape Ltd talk about,
"Because the interior of your timber shape house is made of wooden panels and plasterboard, modifications and extensions will not involve the clutter and severe disruption of knocking down sound block wall surfaces, and the rest of the studies and tribulations that accompany this kind of work". (MBC Timber Frame 2009)
Alternatively the block work interior leaf of the masonry house has distinctive advantages over is timber framework counterpart. Jobs such as correcting a shelf or drape rail can be a challenging with the timber frame method,
"There is absolutely no problem repeating this in a masonry build home as all the walls can handle holding racks, curtain rails etc. it might be a simple subject of drilling the openings in the correct place and screwing your shelf into place" (Irish Concrete Federation 2009).
In comparability, with a timber body house, matching to John Meehan a carpenter with a Co Galway Company,
"If you're installing a new kitchen or television unit, you might find that there are no grounds in the wall where you need a fixing. If in this situation if your fixing is set up without locating a stud, the unit will fall down under pressure". (David Treacy 2009)
Property Market and Advertising Value
Influencing factors with regards to domestic engineering include resale value and simple sale. The original masonry produced process has built up a trustworthiness of been a good owner and a favourite with the Irish public, Galway auctioneer John Gilmore says,
"Block built homes are simpler to sell as people generally go for the dependable method, a lot of men and women inquiring about timber frame homes are wary and are not easily convinced as to its benefits" (Liam Gordon 2009).
The view of an Irish timber framework company is the fact that,
"Auctioneers and estate agents are usually of the opinion that not only is timber body no obstacle in selling a home, but on the contrary, is becoming more and more a major selling point. The power efficiency of timber structure houses is becoming an increasingly appreciated characteristic". (Kingspan Hundred years 2008)
To reiterate this,
"For mortgage loan purposes and insurance, most lenders and insurance providers rank timber frame equally with stop work. So far as resale value is concerned, there appears to be no difference at all between your two systems. However some individuals have their own preferences, built up using their own experience or things they may have heard about either system". (Homebuilding and Renovating Mag 2005)
Running Costs
The timber shape method of home construction encounters large personal savings over its traditional masonry counterpart. These savings derive from the timber structure house having an allowance for insulation on both external and internal walls; this varies considerably from the traditional masonry method where in most cases only the exterior wall space contain insulation.
"Because timber structure structures are extremely well insulated and also have less mass than more traditional forms of construction, significant savings can be produced in heating costs". (Homebuilding and Renovating Mag 2005)
A leading Irish timber frame company areas,
"Financial savings of between 30% and 40% on heating system bills are pretty typical". (Devsan Timber Structure Homes 2009)
In regards to further savings in the foreseeable future with timber body,
"It is estimated that the heat cost of a timber frame home can be 30% lower than that of a masonry dwelling, and the quick climb in energy costs these costs look placed to increase". Weekend Business Post Papers 2007)
In bottom line the personal savings to be made with the timber shape method of home construction in relation to heating and energy use are considerable over its masonry counterpart.
Time of Construction
Introduction
From a time to construct point of view the length of time it takes to build and surface finish both types of engineering differs. The construction of a normal masonry dwelling has a longer time program than its timber framework counterpart. The primary factors adding to the difference in engineering times include.
Programme of works
The programme of works for both methods has a time difference of approximately seven weeks from foundation stage to designing and moving in level. Derek Moore of Timberline building companies states,
"In terms of build velocity, timber shape can deliver a substantial 30% decrease on traditional construction times, which affect cash flow and reduces local disturbance". (Pick a Pro 2009)
The view of another Irish timber framework supplier is the development time of both ways of construction is even much larger depending on building,
"Engineering time is lower by almost 40% as your timber body framework is erected on site within days depending on size and difficulty of building". (Clark Group 2008)
Building Finishes
During the stage whereby the timber framework product is erected the inner first fixing work can commence. This work can proceed inside the house as the masonry skin has been built, compared no internal work can commence on the masonry house as the block work factor is being designed. The long blow drying period associated with traditional masonry building is also a downside compared to the timber structure method.
"Apart from the obvious labour keeping, timber framework doesn't need any drying-out time, unlike a typical masonry building, which needs up to 1 1, 500 gallons of drinking water to evaporate before it is dry out". (Sunday Tribune 2001)
To reiterate this a leading Irish timber shape supplier state governments,
"Timber frame products internal surface finishes, all walls are straight and plumb, edges are rectangular and true. With timber framework there are less of the "wet" deals, plasterboard needs only to be skimmed and color, ornamental materials and floor coverings can be applied sooner to dried floors". (Castle Timber Body Homes 2009)
Heat Reduction in Buildings
Introduction
For the purpose of this dissertation the author likened the U Value of the external wall surfaces of both a timber shape and masonry built dwelling, the writer also made a decision to obtain the Building Energy Score (BER) for both ways of construction to be able to make a precise comparison. Both the U Value computation and the Building Energy Score are based on the house plans. With the expertise of Michael Sweeney of Sweeney Energy the U Value and BER computations were put together and the results are the following.
U-Value Calculation
A U-value is the term directed at the measure of heat damage through parts of a building. It steps the pace that high temperature transmits through an element or structure when there is a difference in air heat range at both attributes.
"U Values are expressed in W per metre Kelvin which is the speed of heat copy in watts through 1m2 of the structure for one unit of heat difference between the air on the two sides of the composition". (Roy Chudley 2002)
U-Value Terms
The pursuing are terms associated with the calculation of the U-Value.
Thermal Conductivity
"It is the measure of a materials capacity to transmit heat and is portrayed as the energy flow in watts per square metre of surface". (Roy Chudley 2002)
Thermal Resistance
"That is symbolized by the letter R, as agent of a materials thermal amount of resistance achieved by dividing its width in metres by its thermal conductivity". (Roy Chudley 2002)
Timber Structure U-Value Calculation
The above computations show a traditional masonry exterior cavity wall structure has a U-Value of 0. 35 W/m2K compared to the timber body outer wall, which has a U-Value of 0. 25 W/m2K. The conclusions for this particular computation show that the timber frame domestic construction has an improved U-Value than its masonry made counterpart.
Building Energy Ranking (BER) Calculation
The author made a decision to compare the Building Energy Score of both ways of construction. To do this the writer availed of the expertise of a qualified Pub assessor who calculated both BER values using the same house plans as used for the U Value Computations. For the purpose of the reader the author explains a few of the conditions associated in the Building energy rating procedure.
Building Energy Score Terms
The procedure is based on calculating the balance for a dwelling,
"this is the energy required by the dwelling plus any loss, then less the energy gains this is add up to the energy provided into the dwelling" (Cheveron Training 2009)
Delivered Energy, portrayed as kWh/year. This corresponds to the vitality consumption that would normally seem on the energy charges of the dwelling for the assumed standardisation occupancy and customers considered. (Cheveron Training 2009)
Primary Energy, portrayed as kWh/year. This includes delivered energy, plus an allowance for energy "overhead" incurred in extracting, processing and transporting a petrol or other energy carrier to the dwelling. For instance, regarding electricity it requires account of era efficiency at ability channels. (Cheveron Training 2009)
The results show that both timber shape and traditional masonry local construction have an energy score of B2 because of this house. The B2 rating is acceptable for a building, which has a natural ventilation design.
The primary energy value for the timber shape method of building is lower than it's masonry counterpart and reveals that the overhead incurred in extracting, handling and moving of energy to the dwelling is leaner for timber shape method.
The comparability of the Co2 emissions results in the timber structure method having lower emissions end result and as previously discussed the low the Co2 emission the better it is ideal for the environment.
Finally the timber structure method had a lesser delivered energy ranking. This demonstrates the energy consumption on the expenses of the dwelling are again less than its masonry counterpart.
Developers views about the change from masonry to timber framework:
To achieve a genuine indication on the views of the engineering industry in regard to both methods of construction and why the pattern has changed towards timber structure it was essential to obtain the views of designers who actually carry out the building works.
As part of the writer research, many building agencies were contacted. Philip Mahoney of timber framework manufactures association was contacted and helped with the author's questions.
Philip Mahoney of the Timber Body Manufacturing Relationship said when asked why the tendency has shifted from masonry to timber body.
"From a creators point of view speed of structure was very important, just because a timber shape house can be up and roofed in a matter of days and nights and ready for the follow on trades to go in. for the developer this is a great gain as these were in and out more speedily and therefore change cash over.
Timber frame would have also have received favored by the self build sector as a result of fact that a) quite an education process was completed by the relationship and its associates, b) the renewable card also commenced to enter into play as well as timber framework is seen as environmentally friendly which the industry has been promoting. "
Tom McHugh, Director of Kilcloghans Ltd Galway who have been visible traditional masonry builders for several years said when it comes to ease of build "we live masonry contractors and we build timber body, we find that it is especially simple to build the timber body method" he continued to say in relation to building costs "timber framework is as economical to generate as traditional masonry" regarding building costs with regards to the downturn in the structure industry he mentioned "yes the construction cost for both methods possessed lowered but both methods still workout in and around the same price". He also stated that they found the primary benefits of timber frame to be "a drier form of
construction as well as the obvious advantages of acceleration to build and economical to perform". From a selling point of view he found timber structure, "easier for the reason that they are less expensive in conditions of energy use".
Francis Geraghty Director of Body to finish building companies Co Galway mentioned in terms of ease of engineering, "the timber framework method depends mainly on the sort of house the client wants to generate as well as the grade of site preparation prior to the timber structure building reaches the site". He considers the main advantages of the timber body method for him are "the U-Values that may be achieved" and also "the complete timber frame framework is up and ready for inside work in a matter of days".
Colm Kilroy a Number Surveyor with Michael Higgins and Associates Galway said "from an expense of materials viewpoint certain materials have fell in price, but the real drop in cost has result from the tradesmen themselves way more for traditional masonry rather than the timber frame method. With such competition for work cost of labour has reduced rapidly". He went on to state, "this drop in labour costs is actually a key to the choice of the general public in the approaching years with traditional masonry getting so inexpensive to build".
John O' Connell, a contractor, based in Co. Galway mentioned that he sees the main drawbacks of Timber Body development as "the bad weather conditions in this country, have people worried that timber may rot as time passes. People also feel better with bricks and mortar".
Sean O Donnell a foreman with a building contractor in Co Galway who specialises with both forms of construction sees the main benefits of timber framework over traditional masonry in relation to cost to be "less labour extensive, less wastage of materials on site, so when lived in less cost in working". In relation to time to construct he said, "less time lost scheduled to negative weather, you can see the finished product quicker and easier and timber shape causes quicker installation of electronic wiring". Regarding insulation he declares, "with a timber shape house you are closer to the living area therefore not heating the outside wall before getting insulation value, it requires very little to warm up house and the quality of insulation is paramount to better acoustic performance".
Questionnaire Results
Introduction
To get a true and practical view on both methods of domestic construction the author decided to obtain the views of the residents who are in timber structure homes. To achieve this, a questionnaire was put together and distributed throughout the Galway area. A copy of the questionnaire is included in the appendix at the end of the dissertation and the results are as follows.
As can be seen from the pie chart emphatically implies that 100% of the surveyed residents spot the timber frame method of development to be cheaper to heat up than its traditional masonry counterpart. The remarks received included,
"Traditional block was more costly; I used sound petrol range with a back again boiler and petrol central heating. It had been essential to have heating constantly from again boiler toped up by petrol, in comparison the oil heating in the timber framework runs for 4 time each day from November until March to the downstairs radiators only. We've 2 available fires that people never use as it would be too hot. Our essential oil charge is reduced by 2/3 and we do not require stable fuel".
A further comment stated,
"Timber structure is cheaper as much less cold throughout the day so no need for much heat through the winter months"
clearly demonstrates the residents find their timber frame dwellings to be warmer than the traditional masonry counterpart with 84% finding it a whole lot warmer and 14% of residents saying it to be marginally warmer
shows how well people rate the acoustic performance of their timber frame house in relation to external sounds. 55% of the residents find there to be no noises while 45% of the residents find there to be always a little noise. One of the residents explained,
"Really the only sound to be observed is that of the rainwater water working to the gully".
A further citizen stated,
"Alternative noises are not a concern, but my house is situated on a lttle bit of an elevated site and on a very windy day the blowing wind can be an concern".
Other examples of external noises to be observed included traffic from a close by main street and puppies barking, but no additional noises than would also be heard in a traditional masonry dwelling.
shows the actual resident's thoughts are on the acoustic performance with their dwellings with regards to upstairs sound. 22% of the residents declare that there is a lot of noises to be read from floor to floor, most the noise is because poor audio insulation getting used. One resident stated,
"Floor audio proofing between flooring surfaces is issues, we didn't take this directly into account during development".
44% of the resident's condition there's a little noises to be read from upstairs with motion on flooring surfaces and doors closing being the key contributors. Finally 34% of the residents talk about there is no noises to be observed, a number of them said that during structure stage they had the builders put in extra sound proofing between surfaces, which acted most beneficially in reducing the noise. Other residents who found there to be no upstairs noise lived exclusively and in a result had no upstairs movement while in the house.
