Frame House Plans

Specifications Bedrooms: 1     Square Feet (heated): 576 Baths: 1              Width: 48' Floors: 1             Depth: 18'

Pricing 5 sets: $485 8 sets: $605 vellums: $720 CAD: $1050 additional sets: $40 mirror reverse plan: $20

When you build timber frame house, Both timber frame and brick and block houses have an outer skin (usually brick) and a cavity (usually 50mm). Where they differ is in the construction of the inner wall. With a standard timber frame this consists of a waterproof membrane, sheathing board, structural timber frame, vapour barrier and inner lining of plasterboard. The insulation is placed between the timber frame uprights, and its thickness matches the size of the frame (usually 90mm). With standard brick and block, the inner wall consists of aggregate block and an inner lining of plaster. The insulation is placed directly in the cavity, which is either partially or completely filled.

The main difference between the two types of construction is how the loads of the house are taken. With timber frame, the frame itself supports the weight of the house, while with brick and block, both the outer brick and the inner block take the weight.

A range of outer claddings can be applied to both timber frame and brick and block houses, including brick, stone, render, hanging tile and timber boarding. With timber frame the actual timber structure is often exposed as a design feature.Windows in timber frame houses are fixed to the inner timber frame, rather than to the brick outer skin, which results in a deeper external sill.

With brick and block, dummy timber posts and beams can be added to masonry walls. These are not structural, but can look just as authentic.

Both timber frame and brick and block houses have to comply with energy efficiency targets set out by the Building Regulations. The minimum U-value (insulation level for each component of the build) required for exposed walls is 0.45 W/m2K.

A standard brick and block house offers a U-value of 0.43 W/m2K. Whereas a standard timber frame outperforms the mandatory ratings, achieving a U-value of 0.41 W/m2K. The latter can be improved to 0.29 W/m2K by increasing the frame size from 90mm (standard) to 140mm (enhanced), which increases the space for insulation. This gain is at comparatively little extra cost.