Self build timber frame options

patjunfa

Hi all

In a few months it seems I'm likely not to have much work, so am changing my plans from paying someone to build our 135m (around 1400 sq ft I think)house, to building it ourselves. With a budget of less than €80,000, I hope to be able to build a good ecohome. Doesn't have to be too fancy inside. I expect I will be reading and posting on here more often. seems like a great rescource.

I'm only at the research stage, so am reading whatever I can find. A friend said he priced timebr for his house and reckons €10,000 would do a build of over 2000 sq ft. A timber frame company would charge over€50,000 for this, so theres the potential of lots of saving. I don't have loads of experience in this yet. I've helped put down a number of decks, n done a few bits n bobs but reckon I can pick things up quickly. I will have friends and family who know lots more than me to help answer questions and practicalitys

Any help would be appreciated in focusing my study time for this. I'm wondering how I get a frame design. Do I need to hire a structural engineer, or work out a frame from the standard material sizes then show it to someone. There may be programmes like sketch up that could design the frame?

I am also unsure of what material I will use for the exterior. I'd like to use as little cement and concrete as possible, and so don't want typical block work. Options seem to be, wattle and daub (which my friend is using)- lots of work. Clay straw blocks- lots of work again. Hemp and lime- seem to be best when used with that spray gun, which is not a beginner job. wood shuttering- I don't like the fully wooden look though. Possibly just wood, such as osb or marine ply and plaster over it. I'd like to use some kind of lime or earth plaster, but I don't know if that would be very solid, just being attached to wood.

We are thinking of using sheeps wool as insulation. Very affordable as farmers are giving it away. A fair bit of work in it though, charding it, and treating it with borax.

I appreciate any idea's or dirrections to research in

Patrick

RKQ

There are a number of timber frame options available - ie erect bare frame to erect fully insulated factory frame including service ducts and windows & doors!

It will be tough going but if you are prepared to work hard anything is possible. I'll send a PM of a kit worth considering, which is easy to diy upgrade to "passive" standard!

Good luck with the build.

spadder

RKQ wrote: »

There are a number of timber frame options available - ie erect bare frame to erect fully insulated factory frame including service ducts and windows & doors!

It will be tough going but if you are prepared to work hard anything is possible. I'll send a PM of a kit worth considering, which is easy to diy upgrade to "passive" standard!

Good luck with the build.

Hi RKQ
could you PM me the kit details too please?
I would have an interest in it.
Cheers
S.

RKQ

PM sent spadder.... by the way I've have no connection to this Company. Just saw the product, asked lots of questions and was very impressed with the answers.

patjunfa

Thanks for that. I'll contact them and see what they say

I found a program
http://www.zdnetasia.com/downloads/pc/swinfo/0,39043130,39112353s-50002542r,00.htm
Apparently I can design a timber frame with this. I'm going to play with this and Google sketchup- a brilliant and free design program.

I still need to decide on a material for the outside. I'll post as I get stuck into it or with questions as the idea develops

freebird23

Hi RKQ
could you PM me the kit details too please?
I would have an interest in it.
Cheers

what he said. im looking to do a self build also. looking for company to supply frames.
cheers

willbur

RKQ wrote: »

There are a number of timber frame options available - ie erect bare frame to erect fully insulated factory frame including service ducts and windows & doors!

It will be tough going but if you are prepared to work hard anything is possible. I'll send a PM of a kit worth considering, which is easy to diy upgrade to "passive" standard!

Good luck with the build.

RKQO can u pm me the info as well regards willbur

scuzz

Hi RKQ,
could you PM me the kit details too please?
I am hoping to do a stickbuild
Thanks in advance