Construction of house

[AndyBill]

1995 built, all walls inside hollow when tapped, grey block inner walls showing in loft gable ends,
front and back walls 300mm reveals,

timber frame?

 

[^woody^]

Blocks in loft indicate traditional

Look inside a socket or switch box.

Walls may be dry lined and construction traditional

 

[AndyBill]

woody,
did they ever build these with timber frame front and back and gables in traditional build?

or do you think its more likely that its dry lined?

wouldnt that make it over 300mm thick?

 

[tawelfryn]

More than likely, 100mm block/brick, 50mm cavity, 140mm thermal, dot and dabbed internal finish, In 1995 cavity insulation didn't tend to be used as thermal 140mm blocks were sufficient to meet U values at that time

 

[Shytalkz]

Andy: while your construction suggestion is possible, it's an unlikely one. Dot and dab over brick and block cavity construction would be my suggestion, just like the others.

 

[noseall]

140mm blocks were sufficient to meet U values at that time

there is a one-off build going on near to where i am working tawelfryn. they are using aerated blocks laid flat.

overall wall thickness will be in the region of 450mm. gulp.

 

[tawelfryn]

one hell of a structure noseall!!! but I bet its got a good thermal value, and nice and strong, but a lot of blocks used

 

[stuart45]

Andy,
I have worked on houses in the 60's and early 70's that were timber at the front and rear. These were cross wall construction. There were also some hybrid timber frame and masonry built after the war to the mid 70's.
There are some pointers to use for timber frame recognition. Look for weepholes at DPC level. Use a magnet to confirm dot and dab. Tap over the top of frames, Timber frame will usually sound solid because of the timber lintels.

 

[^woody^]

The houses from the 60's and 70's were the system built types generally built for the local councils. The OP's picture is of a modern construction which would be either timber framed or traditional.

If its really not clear, then the OP can either look for similar local properties for sale and it may say in the brochure, or just ring up the building control office and ask the officer who normally deals with that area

Also, a dot and dabbed wall will sound different to a timber framed wall when knocked - you will hear and feel the difference between random dabs and uniform studs

And your insurance policy would be based on construction type - so make sure you've told them the correct one!

 

[stuart45]

I've built quite a few cross wall for the private sector as well in that era.
I wouldn't describe them as system built as with something like a Cornish house.
I would agree that the house in the photo is most likely to be cavity wall construction.

 

[AndyBill]

thanks for the expert advice and tips guys