Building a House—Timber Frame or Block Build?

If you were to build your own home, what material would you choose, timber or block build? In order to find the answer to that question, we’ll see the difference between these two materials.

In the UK, timber frame and block build are two methods being employed in building a house. You have yet to see the difference and the pros and cons in choosing either one them.

All about timber frame

Timber, as the main structure in timber frame, is a material made from felled trees. The ideal wood sources for your timber frame are cedar, pine, redwood, birch, or mahogany tree. It only takes a few weeks to construct a timber frame, and this is usually done off-site. Starting with interior finishes while the frame is being built simultaneously, you save a lot of time. When the frame is ready, it is being delivered to your site for assembly.

A timber-framed house is in fact in similar stability as the block build. This should be so because homes are built to meet building regulations at a minimum standard. The main issue here is if the house can perform to its fullest and protect itself from moisture damage brought about by leaks, flood, and any other elemental factor that will lead to its major damage such as fire and extreme weather conditions.

Your house with a timber frame is susceptible to certain damage (and so is block build). But these normal circumstances can be outwitted to prevent quick damage. Builders are aware of the flammability of timber and its future members when the frame is built, and they use plasterboard linings to conceal the parts which are prone to fire. Once the linings are compromised and when moisture could get in the way, wet timber will begin its demise or will open its chance to fire hazards.

You cannot really tell the difference if a house is founded on timber frame or not. A brick skin is usually built to cover the frame, showing that the house may seem to have been built using a block build.

Why choose block build?

Modern trends in construction make timber frame protected from quick damage and to fire since timber woods are now being treated against moisture and decay, making them highly resistant against rotting.

• Organic, hence renewable and environmentally sustainable
• Cheaper total costs
• Lower heating costs
• Easily adaptable to many design options

Why choose block build

Block build is built on-site—an opposite method compared to a timber frame, which is erected off-site. This gives the owner of the house more advantages in monitoring the actual building.

Also, called brick and block, the block build constitutes blocks of concrete as the main frame, and layers of bricks as the outer wall. But inside the house, the block build as partition can be chosen but covered with plasterboard made of timber.

It is known that block build offers greater protection from fire. This is an obvious advantage due to the high flammability of timber. However, the level of likelihood of fire is dependent on many factors, some of them caused by human negligence and materials of the house furniture. Also, even if your housing frame is made of concrete, the outer layer is built with a plyboard (composed of timber and solid wood), which includes your ceilings and floors.

Advantages of block build

• Does not rot or accumulate mildew even exposed in moisture for a long time
• Pest (e.g., termites) resistant
• Sturdy against extreme weather and calamities (e.g., wind, storms, earthquakes)
• Made of cement, making it highly resistant to fire
• Great for home insulation, preventing the warm and cold air escape
• Soundproof

Final thoughts on your house project

If you compare the pros and cons of timber frame against block build, both structures are highly indispensable. There seems to be slight difference unless you do thorough research on what’s best for your home. Consider also your area, what types of home materials are the popular choice, your budget, and the applicability of your choices on local government’s standards.

Your local builder, Plymouth Builders, can have a significant role in your informed decision. Contact our office for further inquiry on these materials. Our staff will be more than happy to assist you.