Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Oct 07, 2021 7:34 pm For a new house build, I understand these options 1. Timber frame, brick veneer - timber is the load bearing part, brick is the visual bit 2. Steel frame, brick veneer - as above but with steel frame. I understand there are some pros and cons but basically similar to 1. Most project builders use 1 or 2 as I understand it. Then there is 3. Double brick - load bearing part is brick, brick all through the house. More solid, more expensive, potentially better for insulation but also takes much longer to heat up when it's cold and cool down when its hot. Do project builders typically have this as an option? Then there is the stuff that really confused me. 4. Insulated concrete foam - is this a load bearing thing or a replacement for the brick in brick veneer? Would an average builder build with this? Custom/architectural only? What about slightly higher end like Hall and Hart? 5. Structural Insulated Panels (?). Same as above 6. Hebel, which as I understand can be a brick replacement or be used for the framing? Some questions as above Would appreciate if someone could shed light on this for me Re: Help me understand building frame types 2Oct 08, 2021 2:07 am ICF (insulated concrete forms) is load bearing, not a lot of builders will be using them, only some small boutique builders may be. There is also an option to build with prefab concrete panels too. Double brick is providing benefit of thermal mass, usually it is not as good in insulation as well insulated brick veneer or reverse brick veneer (when you have bricks on the inside and some cladding on the outside, possibly the best framed alternative to brick veneer will be reverse brick veneer with Hebel Panels on the outside). SIPs is also a very very rare animal, the main concern here will be fire protection and termites. Hebel panels is a replacement for brick veneer and is a cladding which is attached to the frame. There are also Hebel blocks which can be used to build a house without frame, but there won't be a lot of builders around who can do that. Re: Help me understand building frame types 4Oct 08, 2021 11:13 am Hey ren_ho Do you have a sketch and own copyright? If your answer is yes then you might consider 3D Engineering Bim, Data/proofs and work thru the alternate construction, materials, methods & costings with the design engineer Builder construction quote details ...Generally it only takes a couple of clicks using apps and internet data. Majority of clients prefer to get a trusted profession to do it for them...find someone local Cheers Chris Designer,Engineer (Civil,Const & Envir),Builder,Concrete & Masonry Contract.Struct Repairs Re: Help me understand building frame types 5Oct 08, 2021 4:31 pm ren_ho Thanks! What about the pros/cons of ICF/concrete panels? Do you know of any builders using these other materials? ren_ho Alex is the expert on here with ICF, so he may disagree with me. I have posted previously about trying to build for a client who wanted ICF and when we got the price it was quickly dismissed. ICF essentially has 2 functions: 1. The blocks act as formwork for the concrete 2. The foam acts as insulation The major downside that I was told by the supplier is that the concrete takes around a year or so to dry due to the foam so you will need to run dehumidifiers. Alex may have had a difference experience. A really good alternative are corefilled concrete blocks which you can then insulate on the inside or dincel which also serves as formwork, then a bondek floor. If you really want concrete walls, depending on site access for cranage, precast can be a good option. You wont get any project home builders using any of these. At the end of the day, it all comes down to your budget and the design of your home. Good luck and have a great weekend PS Alex, if I have my ICF facts wrong I apologise Cheers Simeon Architectural Homes & Duplexes - specialising in custom designing homes to your budget Get a Free Onsite Consultation Today or send a PM for information, questions or advice. Re: Help me understand building frame types 7Oct 09, 2021 12:41 pm There are different types of ICFs, I am not recommending to use EPS type ICFs as polysterene is not the best thing to put concrete into and to live in. I would rather recommend wood cement based ICF like Durisol, which provides natural moisture control and doesn't require dehumidifiers. I am not sure about current prices, but previously ICF wall construction was approximately 30% more expensive then brick veneer construction all in mainly due to rendering requirements, but with increased cost of timber framing it might be already on par. By the way, I am currently working on the R&D and Codemark certification of wood cement based walls + suspended slab technology (covering up to 12 meters without extra structural beams), which will be a good alternative to all types of modern low story residential construction. For example, it will be allowing to lock up 50 sq double story house in less than 4 weeks, where your walls and suspended slabs are prefabricated at the factory and then installed onsite within a day and most time will be spent on the earthworks and roofing. It will also require virtually zero plastering (all walls will be pre-rendered and will only require skimming before painting over) and will be significantly reducing electrical and plumbing fit out time and costs (all the channels for wires and pipes will be also prepared at the factory). Cost wise, I am targeting it to be cheaper than rendered brick veneer with Hebel floors, but will be offering much better acoustic, thermal and structural performance. Stay tuned. Re: Help me understand building frame types 8Oct 09, 2021 1:07 pm alexp79 There are different types of ICFs, I am not recommending to use EPS type ICFs as polysterene is not the best thing to put concrete into and to live in. I would rather recommend wood cement based ICF like Durisol, which provides natural moisture control and doesn't require dehumidifiers. I am not sure about current prices, but previously ICF wall construction was approximately 30% more expensive then brick veneer construction all in mainly due to rendering requirements, but with increased cost of timber framing it might be already on par. By the way, I am currently working on the R&D and Codemark certification of wood cement based walls + suspended slab technology (covering up to 12 meters without extra structural beams), which will be a good alternative to all types of modern low story residential construction. For example, it will be allowing to lock up 50 sq double story house in less than 4 weeks, where your walls and suspended slabs are prefabricated at the factory and then installed onsite within a day and most time will be spent on the earthworks and roofing. It will also require virtually zero plastering (all walls will be pre-rendered and will only require skimming before painting over) and will be significantly reducing electrical and plumbing fit out time and costs (all the channels for wires and pipes will be also prepared at the factory). Cost wise, I am targeting it to be cheaper than rendered brick veneer with Hebel floors, but will be offering much better acoustic, thermal and structural performance. Stay tuned. Sounds really interesting. the sun master is the solar heating to "warm" the water in the tank the S26 is your hot water system which will heat the water (25 degrees?) so with both turned on you… 2 13555 This is 100% true. You can not hang anything on steel frames. very frustrating 8 8007 Thanks Pulse, thats really helpful and very much appreciated. Also thanks for the pointer on sheathing, thats me watching too many american youtube videos! 6 2796 |