Timber Frame Links

Jonnykitedude

Hi

I’m looking for some links to why timber frame houses are good and cost effect.
The reason I ask is that we had a meeting with the architect last week and I said I wanted to go timber frame, he went into a rant that timber frame is no good blah blah blah,of course my other half believed every word and now wants to go with brick

lastbuilders

Here is one which has links to lots of timber frame companies.

http://www.itfma.ie/

Lastbuilders

sydthebeat

Id advise to go with a company thats IAB (NSAI) approved and accredited... there are some cowboy companies out there.

Timber frames are like any other building system, you can have a Rolls Royce version, or you can have a Lada version (no offence Lada....;))... it depends on the spec and quality of workmanship....

if you plan on installing renewables (solar panels, Geothermal or wood pellet with UFH, etc) i personally would stay away from block... too many tradesmen out there have been throwing up crap for the last 10 years and are in that habit now.... very hard to get them out of it....

CJhaughey

If the Architect is so unprofessional as to start ranting and dismissing a proven building method, I would be asking whether or not I would be prepared to employ him/her.
The architect sounds kind of set in their ways and not prepared to look at other methods of construction.
Think twice.

galwaytt

CJH has it right, it's not the house type you need to change, it's the Architect.

If he's so convinced of the merits of (brick), let him give you a written guarantee of it's quality, thermal performance and airtightness. If he doesn't, walk.........or show him the door.

As for NSAI/IAB - don't get hung up on that, either - remember NSAI have NO testing facilities, no product testing has been done by them - only paperwork.

A BBA or BRE cert from the UK, or other reputable european agency (backed up by testing), is ample.

yop

have to agree with the lads that this "Architect" sounds like a bit of a dick. The reason we went with TF is that I lived in a rent house which was TF and the flipping thing was always snug.

There are loads of good and bad TF companies.

We went with Clarkes ourselves but also really considered RiverView

lastbuilders

We looked at a few companies too and went with riverview.

Lastbuilders

eire1977

Lastbuilders,
Sorry for re-awakening such an old thread but just wondering if you have nay regrets with going with Riverview. Have got a really good quote from them and I'm leaning their way but would like to hear from people who are living in one of their houses.
All comments gratefully appreciated
thanks,

lastbuilders

Hi Eire1977,

I have no regrets with using Riverview. In the house over a year now and haven't had any problems. The were very helpful during the planning and construction stages.

One thing I would recommend is to take extra steps if you are planning on having hardwood floors upstairs. These can be a bit noisy (though it would be the same in a brock and block house I believe) in the rooms below when hardsoled shoes used but I know there are extra steps you can take to improve this. I put a sound insulation board below the floor and sound insulation between joists but I think there is a thicker subfloor you can put in for extra insulation.

Apart from that it is cosy and relatively cheap to heat so no complaints.

Lastbuilders

eire1977

Thanks Lastbuilders .... just what i wanted to hear.

Sales people will tell you the world is flat, if that's what you what to hear, so it's nice to hear from 'real' people about products they have bought and used.

That is unless you are a sales person and even worse if you work for Riverview!!!

Jonnykitedude

Hi guys I never thanked you all for the information when I asked for it so thank you.
So few months have pasted and im just waiting on our planning but I have been looking at a few other TF company’s.
Tyrone Timber frame and The Timber Frame Company based in Waterford has anybody ever dealt with theses.

lastbuilders

No Problem eire177 and I am definately not a sales person or work for the company. I think it was Gary or Gerry we dealt with so if you mention their trips up to Cavan to do the kit they will probably remember it as I phoned them a good few times with last minute alterations. If you want I can send you some photos of the kit going up.

Lastbuilders

eire1977

Lastbuilders,
That would be great, if it's not too much trouble. I'll PM you my email address.
Cheers,