Timber frame house compared to concrete block construction

When planning a house construction, every builder has to make a choice between a timber frame and concrete frame house, so it’s time to find out the main differences between these methods. The choice is largely influenced by various factors ranging from construction costs and the time required for constructing the house to energy efficiency and sound insulation.

Nowadays, timber frame house has gained popularity thanks to its fast construction process, excellent construction strength and relatively low material costs. The cost is also one of the main reasons why more and more people are choosing to build their own homes out of timber frame structures. Although timber prices have risen in recent years, the price of a wooden frame house is still considered to be more economical compared to concrete frame construction. Moreover, in today’s fast pace of life, no one wants to spend time on a long construction process, furthermore, this is one of the biggest advantages of a timber frame house. Thanks to the development of modern technology and the possibility to buy pre-made walls and roof trusses, a timber frame house can be built in only 8-10 weeks, so the development and construction of a timber frame house will save not only time but also the financial resources in compared to building a concrete frame, block by block. The wooden frame house building is relatively light and the house does not sink into the ground. Another advantage of a wooden frame house is that the timber frame is much more flexible than the concrete frame, thus allowing to achieve almost any design choices. In the timber frame house, all utilities are very easy to integrate into the walls of the house, which allows to save space and create a feeling of spaciousness. In contrast, the concrete frame blocks reduce house living space due to its massive size.

Each frame construction method has its own drawbacks, and often people are worried that timber frame houses are not as stable and durable as concrete structures. In terms of durability, indeed, a timber wall cannot be compared to a concrete wall, because the timber is at more risk in the event of a flood or fire, but if the house is built according to all construction standards and there is no apocalypse, it will serve as well as concrete construction. After all, it is worth remembering that much of the historic buildings are basically built of wood. Also, you don’t have to worry about the myth that the insurance for a timber frame house is more expensive than the concrete block structure. On the contrary, the owners of concrete houses are more likely to be exposed to high humidity in the building. The formation of mould and moisture, as well as pest infestation, is mainly influenced by the choice of materials used in construction, so it is important that the timber frame house is built using high-quality timber that has been treated against both the risk of fire and possible pests.

Each frame construction method has its own drawbacks, and often people are worried that timber frame houses are not as stable and durable as concrete structures. In terms of durability, indeed, a timber wall cannot be compared to a concrete wall, because the timber is at more risk in the event of a flood or fire, but if the house is built according to all construction standards and there is no apocalypse, it will serve as well as concrete construction. After all, it is worth remembering that much of the historic buildings are basically built of wood. Also, you don’t have to worry about the myth that the insurance for a timber frame house is more expensive than the concrete block structure. On the contrary, the owners of concrete houses are more likely to be exposed to high humidity in the building. The formation of mould and moisture, as well as pest infestation, is mainly influenced by the choice of materials used in construction, so it is important that the timber frame house is built using high-quality timber that has been treated against both the risk of fire and possible pests.

Another issue that worries people is the insulation of sound. In this respect, concrete frame constructions have a little advantage, because the concrete mass naturally absorbs sound. But there is no need to worry that everything in the timber frame house will be heard outdoors or in the neighbouring premises. It is important to choose appropriate soundproofing materials and floor coverings that reduce noise.

Looking at all the factors, we can see that the timber frame houses are no longer so much different today than the concrete frame houses, so every prospective homeowner needs to evaluate their needs, desires and opportunities. It is important to remember that for a wooden frame house to serve for years it is necessary to choose companies with solid experience specializing in timber frame house construction and guaranteeing quality.