Building Technologies

This is when you have to decide on what type of house you are going to build.
There are a variety of technologies out there for the self-builder.

• Blockwork
• Timber frame
• Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF)
• Steel framing
• Other

Blockwork

Traditional Blockwork using cement to join and seal blocks or thin-joint blockwork which uses glue mortars instead of traditional cement based ones. Thin-joint blockwork claims to be much faster build however not widely used in Ireland or the UK

Timberframe

Timber frame construction relies on a timber frame as a basic means of structural support which is precision engineered making it remarkably strong and durable. During construction, open panel timber frame is covered internally by plasterboard and filled with high performance insulation. Moisture/vapour barriers are incorporated and the outer leaf of the wall completes the structure. The outer leaf is typically stone, brick, render or timber to suit the local vernacular and planning requirements.

There are many other forms of timber frame, including advanced and closed panel systems, volumetric and hybrid systems. Structural Insulated Panel (SIP) technology is another exciting development in timber based construction methods. Timber frame is an engineered, quality assured, tried and tested building method which is engineered to the highest level of accuracy and quality. It significantly simplifies on-site construction & promotes greater efficiency. Timber frame brings predictability and greater control to the construction process. It often exceeds current building regulations. In terms of fire and floow resistance it performs very well. It also improves construction health and safety and has fewer defects and high customer satisfaction. It is by far the most environmentally friendly way to build.

Post and beam structures

Generally timber frame is based around making up flat panels in a factory and erecting them quickly on site. However, the traditional method of timber building was to build the walls and floors off a structure of large posts and beams, you might see something like this inside an old timber barn. Post and beam houses usually look fantastic but the system is expensive by comparison.

Structural Insulated Panels or SIPs

Structural Insulated Panels are pre-engineered building systems, prefabricated to order - whether a bespoke or off-the-shelf design - and delivered to site ready for erection. It is a framed building system that avoids use of most of the timber and uses the strength of insulation laminated to building boards. It offers super insulation levels because the cold bridge effect of the timber is eliminated. It consists of an inner ridged insulating core of Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) or rigid urethane and two outer skins of oriented strand board (OSB) - this works by sandwiching the solid core of insulation between two skins of OSB board. When engineered and assembled, a structure built with SIPs needs no frame to support it. The panels form the strength, insulation and structural envelope of the building, and are also used for the roof and internal load-bearing walls.

I-beams

are timber versions of steel RSJs. Lightweight and strong, there is an increasing number of systems based around I-beam technology, especially for floors.

Insulated Concrete Forms or ICFs

Uses polystyrene moulds into which concrete is poured. There is a range of small businesses offering different varieties

Steel framing

There are few options currently available to one-off housebuilders or self-builders. However, this is expected to change in the next few years and steel may well become a viable alternative to both timber and block.

Other

Earth, straw, tyres people have used a types of unusual materials to build houses out of. All of them offer different advantages and disadvantages, however are unlikely to become widely used.