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Green Building Bible, Fourth Edition
Green Building Bible, fourth edition (both books)
These two books are the perfect starting place to help you get to grips with one of the most vitally important aspects of our society - our homes and living environment.

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  1.  
    Hi guys,new member and wanted to ask a question.

    I have recently bought a 1930's semi and want to build an extension on the side.Being a joiner i was wondering if there is any reason why i couldn't build it from timber instead of the usual brick/block route?Are timber walls acceptable to building control nowadays with the advent of timber houses in recent years.

    If i can do this it would be cheaper and faster than getting in a gang of brickies to put it up but more importantly to me is the green aspect of building with timber instead of concrete/concrete products.

    Any info would be appreciated.

    Thanks.
  2.  
    Yes. Enjoy, and if you can resist the temptation (or pressure from 3rd parties) to hide the frame behind brickwork, all the better. May be one or 2 stipulations re flammable material and distance from boundaries.

    Send some pics when it's done.

    Nick
  3.  
    Thanks Nick.I don't want to hide it behind brickwork.Dont know how you go about building a cavity wall in timber(if i need a cavity wall that is) so am fishing in the dark here.You have highlighted the points i was worried about.Flammable materials and proximity to neighbours is where i think they will be most keen.

    Does anyone know where i can get specs for this sort of thing?Build methods and such.

    Steve.
  4.  
    •  
      CommentAuthorrichy
    • CommentTimeJul 6th 2008
     
    You could use the same technique as we did on this chalet/ Garden Office. Step by step pictures (in the wrong order) here

    http://s220.photobucket.com/albums/dd6/timber-works/?start=all

    www.ilkleyjoinery.co.uk
  5.  
    Thanks guys,will take a gander.
    • CommentAuthortony
    • CommentTimeJul 6th 2008
     
    You dont need to build a cavity wall -- you will need appropriate or proper foundations -- you will need to insulate to current standards as a minimum -- you will need to be fire proof on the walls inside and outside if near the boundary -- you can clad it with wood (fire regs dependant ) or render or bricks or brick slips or almost anything. You may need planning permission and/or building regulation approval.
  6.  
    Yeah Tony,realise now i don't need a cavity after doing a bit more reading up.I know all about planning and building regs,having worked as a joiner builder for over 30 yrs.I have been involved in loads of different builds over the years but they have all been traditional brick block construction.I am geting more interested in sustainable building and i think future clients will be so i thought what better way to start to learn new techniques than building something at home.

    Will probably be rendering as the rest of the house has been rendered at some point and like the look of the pavatex system posted above.
  7.  
    Impressive work there Richy.Love the Russian larch.
    •  
      CommentAuthorrichy
    • CommentTimeJul 6th 2008
     
    Thanks woodbutcher! It's a quick way of building, but produces a well insukated space with breathable walls.
    • CommentAuthortony
    • CommentTimeJul 6th 2008
     
    Please lets not start on breathable walls -- They better not breathe in the new extension or there will be problems

    I am not sure that I agree with the whole notion of building a lightweight extension on to a heavyweight house.
    •  
      CommentAuthorrichy
    • CommentTimeJul 6th 2008
     
    The living space breaths via controlled ventilation. The walls breath outwards, we wouldn't want to lock in moisture would we?
  8.  
    Could you say why Tony?
    • CommentAuthortony
    • CommentTimeJul 7th 2008
     
    richy -- so a vapour barrier then?


    woody -- with different forms of construction joined into one house there will be differences in thermal performance and thermal movements -- the worst cases which will be rare hopefully will be condensation and mould problems due to unfortunate cold spots which would be nightmarish if below the surface.
    • CommentAuthorTheDoctor
    • CommentTimeJul 7th 2008
     
    i'm building a timber extension as we speak.

    well insulated timber frame clad with vertical roughsawn untreated larch boards.

    the rough boards really sit well against the clean lines of the modern triple glazed windows and doors.

    This is a rural context, so the roughsawn appearance may not suit you.
  9.  
    Tanks for that Tony,more room for thought.

    Cheers For that Doc.Mine will be rendered.Can you point me to anywhere i can get some info on the method you used?
    • CommentAuthorTimber
    • CommentTimeJul 18th 2008 edited
     
    A cavity IS required with a timber construction.

    Anytime you use timber frame, it MUST be provided with a drained and ventilated cavity.

    You may not need an extra blockwork leaf on the outside to aply the render to, you can use a lightweight render system supported by the timber frame, but you will require a cavity.

    Good luck with your extension, and make sure you don't forget that vapour control layer!

    Edit - that pavatex and diffutherm products are not really suitable for use with timber frame. NHBC have recently updated their timber frame section of thier technical requirements, and now clearly state that they do not accept these sorts of systems, unless they are appropriately 3rd party certified. These products do not have any third party certification and so can't be used. Just to warn anyone out there looking at them, you may come unstuck with warrenty providers or building control.

    Thanks

    Timber
    • CommentAuthortony
    • CommentTimeJul 18th 2008
     
    A warm roof is a timber construction and has no cavity so why should a wall need one?

    Dormer walls have no cavity either and they are often timber framed.

    Not at all convinced about the necessity of a cavity -- who is saying this?
    • CommentAuthorTimber
    • CommentTimeJul 18th 2008
     
    I am saying this :tongue::wink:

    TRADA also say this, NHBC say this, good building practise and British standards say this!

    I agree know the whole warm roof argument, but this is not a warm roof its an external wall!

    Dormers should have cavities on the outside as well.

    Do a google search for the 'Great Leaky Condo Crisis' in Vancouver. Cavityless systems were used for a period of time in Canada, and cause MAJOR problems with mould, condensation and rot! Its not a robust building solution and most warrenty providers and building control will have a problem with it.

    I am not saying that it can't work, but the lack of ANY of these systems having 3rd party certification, coupled with the general standard of british workmanship makes it seriously risky. Plus if you need a warrenty, you probably won't get one!

    Thanks

    Timber
    • CommentAuthorEd Davies
    • CommentTimeJul 18th 2008 edited
     
    Posted By: TimberA cavity IS required with a timber construction.

    Anytime you use timber frame, it MUST be provided with a drained and ventilated cavity.


    Are you just talking about the air gap and drainage plane behind the rain screen - to deal with any small leaks and condensation?

    You may not need an extra blockwork leaf on the outside to aply the render to, you can use a lightweight render system supported by the timber frame, but you will require a cavity.


    Assuming you apply render at all, of course.

    ....Edit - that pavatex and diffutherm products are not really suitable for use with timber frame. NHBC have recently updated their timber frame section of thier technical requirements, and now clearly state that they do not accept these sorts of systems, unless they are appropriately 3rd party certified. These products do not have any third party certification and so can't be used. Just to warn anyone out there looking at them, you may come unstuck with warrenty providers or building control.


    So why are NBT selling Pavatherm, etc, knowing it's for use on timber frame houses?
    • CommentAuthorTimber
    • CommentTimeJul 18th 2008 edited
     
    - Yes thats correct.

    - Well the OP stated that they were going to apply a render finish to their TF extension

    - Why indeed!? Why do kingspan and celotex etc sell rigid insulation for use in TF when you can't use non breathable insulation with TF!?
  10.  
    Timber, Why can't you use PUR insulation in timber frame? What's the difference between say infilling between rafters/studs in an existing house and new timber frame buildings. Both celotex and kingspan have BBA certification for existing applications don't they? I would have thought they also have them for timber frame as any risk of interstitial condensation is arguably less of a risk in a correctly detailed new build. Don't they have such certification?
    • CommentAuthorTimber
    • CommentTimeJul 18th 2008
     
    No they don't have any certification for use in the timber frame external walls at all!

    You can't use it because it is not breathable! Here is where things get a little more interesting. If you look at the product data supplied by these two companies, they state the moisture vapour resistivity of the foam only and do not include the foil face. Once you include the foil facing to the insulation and conduct a condensation risk analysis, it can show serious interstitial condensation risks!

    As for roofs, I am not an expert in roofs and so must defer that question!

    If you look at the latest NHBC standards update they clearly state that they will not accept rigid insulations unless they have 3rd party certification. No rigid insulation and i mean NONE of them have the required certification!

    timber
    • CommentAuthorEd Davies
    • CommentTimeJul 18th 2008 edited
     
    Ed: "Are you just talking about the air gap and drainage plane behind the rain screen - to deal with any small leaks and condensation?"

    Timber: "Yes thats correct."

    Fine, but that's sufficiently different from what people think of as a "cavity" that it would have probably been worth making it clear.

    Timber: "Well the OP stated that they were going to apply a render finish to their TF extension"

    Ok, sorry, missed that.

    Ed: "So why are NBT selling Pavatherm, etc, knowing it's for use on timber frame houses? "

    Timber: "Why indeed!?"

    Sorry, I helped out a couple of weeks ago putting Pavatherm on friend's oak frame self-build reasonably-large extension. Everybody involved, the BCO, NBT (the MD of which is a school friend of my friend), the oak frame suppliers, etc, are all quite happy with the design.

    Roof inside to out is exposed oak rafters, plasterboard, 2 x 80 mm layers of Pavatherm, Isolaire, counter-battens, battens, reclaimed tiles with some hemp in the eaves. (Pause in the build at the counter-battens stage for now.) Walls will be plasterboard on battens, OSB, hemp (can't remember the thickness), PavathermPlus, battens, larch (I think he's decided on) cladding.

    What do you think is the problem with this?
    • CommentAuthorTimber
    • CommentTimeJul 18th 2008
     
    Ok, so the make up is plasterboard ontop of the rafters with pavatherm ontop of that, isolaire (which i assume is a breathable membrane), counter battens and battens.

    Seams ok, other than the lack of a vapour control layer. Was a condensation risk analysis conducted on this? without a VCL i would imagine that at least some condensation would occur within that construction. Although as i mentioned i am not an expert in roofs and so this is based on my limit knowledge of roofs and condensation risk analyses.

    Oak frame is a bit of a law unto itself, the main structure is able to breathe because it is exposed, and so if the infill panel design is flawed it much much less of an issue. There shouldn't be a condensation risk with that setup, but weatherproofing and moisture ingress may be an issue (although it always is with oak frame!)

    getting back to straight forward softwood frameing, these sorts of systems are not a geat idea. Plus as mentioned it doesn't have 3rd party certification so who knows what will happen over the design life of 60 years! If there is a failure, responsibilty will fall with whoever specified that products, not a risk i would want to take!
  11.  
    Timber, I have searched th BBA website and you are correct about the TF specification.:peace: I am surprised at this as Kingspan carry BBA certification for between and above rater applications.[both cold and warm roofs] See http://www.bbacerts.co.uk/certs/31/3126i3_web.pdf

    I fail to see the technical difference between roofs and walls as either can utilise the same design if necesary. I wonder why PUR cannot be used in timber frame walls. Can anyone explain this mystery
    • CommentAuthorTimber
    • CommentTimeJul 18th 2008
     
    Indeed!

    Kingspan and celotex keep saying that they are 'just about to get certification', however they have been saying that for at least the last 2 - 3 years that i know of!

    As mentioned, I know about the roof/wall arguement, but my field of knowledge lies in platform timber framing etc, and not so much with roofs. I know more about flat roofs than pitched!

    As for why, it comes down to condensation risk anaysis. If you conduct a condensation risk on for instance a 140 stud wall with 100 mm rigid foil faced insulation (and incude the foil facings which the manfs data leaves out) a condensation risk is predicted!

    Timber
  12.  
    Can I ask which software you are using for your condensation risk analysis? From what you say, a typical roof build up would fail as well.
    • CommentAuthorTimber
    • CommentTimeJul 18th 2008
     
    I am using BuildDesk Energy U3.2
  13.  
    Ta, downloading it now. I usually use Tas so will be good to compare results
   
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