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Timber Frame Builders Perth

Double Brick Vs Timber Framed Construction

5/1/2017

33 Comments

 
timber frame home construction

Thinking of building a new home, renovating, or extending your existing?
Read on for insight into the differences between timber frame construction and double brick construction.

In Western Australia, especially in and around the Perth area it has long been thought that double brick construction is the best form of construction. Most volume builders in Perth will only build using this method.

On the contrary the majority of residential builders Australia wide prefer using timber framed construction or steel framed construction methods.

Double brick construction has its benefits as does timber framed construction.

It will depend on several variables as to what you chose as a building method and each person will have their own opinion and preferences.
​
This comprehensive comparison will help you to make your decision.

Timber frame home Padbury Western Australia
Timber frame home Craigie Perth Idaho

Double brick construction

Double brick construction consists of two panels of masonry which can be made of clay bricks, cement bricks and or concrete blocks. The outer layer can be rendered masonry or face brick with no need to render.

There is a cavity in between the two panels to stop moisture from getting between the outer and inner panels, steel brick ties join the panels together.

The advantages of double brick construction:
  1. Solid construction which has little maintenance over time
  2. Great sound insulation due to the thickness of the bricks, so less noise complaints from room to room or house to house in medium to high density developments
  3. Bricks have a high thermal mass and can keep a house cool on summer days and warm a on cold winter days, however a house may remain very warm and require a lot of cooling when experiencing consecutive hot days as we do here in Perth
  4. Masonry construction is made up of inorganic materials and therefore termites are not attracted to such
  5. More fire resistant than timber framed construction

The disadvantages of double brick construction:
  1. Can be more expensive in most cases due to the cost of labor and materials. This is chnaging as I now update this blog in March 2020, timber frame constructon is not always cheaper than double brick due to the cost of brick sin Perth Western Australia being very cheap compared with when this blog was originally written in 2016. Also the cost of labour to build a brick house has dropped in Perth too. 
  2. Can take a significantly longer time to build than timber framed construction due to the time it takes to cure the concrete on the slab along with the time it takes to lay the bricks
  3. Not as flexible as timber and therefore can restrict on design elements, most masonry buildings will be very standard square or rectangle shapes due to the inflexibility of bricks, i.e you cannot easily cut bricks to make intricate patterns or designs, along with this bricks are heavy and harder to work with
  4. A double layer of masonry creates a thick space that could be better used for floor space, when considering a normal size house of around 140m2 this extra space could be the equivalent of 8-10m2 lost in masonry construction
  5. Due to the weight of bricks it can create more engineering needed in the concrete slab which will add to the cost
  6. Over time double brick construction can crack which can cause very costly maintenance, if not built properly this can happen sooner than expected and again create headaches on the budget

Timber Frame construction

Timber framed construction is the method of building structures using heavy timbers. Timber framed buildings can be lined internally with Gyprock or you may wish to do reverse brick veneer and use bricks as the internal wall which better improves the solar passive design.

The external can be cladded using several materials depending on the design you are after.
Insulation fills the gap between the exterior cladding and the Gyprock.

The advantages to timber framed construction:
  1. Cheaper in most cases due to labor and materials however this is changing now in 2020 as the price of timber goes up and the cost of bricks is very low in Perth Western Australia. 
  2. Much more flexible than brick work due to it being a light weight construction you can design and build almost anything you wish, above is a slide show of recent works carried out by Distinct Renovations which shows the ability to build intricate designs that go beyond your imagination
  3. Timber can easily obtain very high energy ratings due to lightweight construction having low thermal mass and therefore with the right insulation can change from cool to hot in an efficient and timely manner to adapt to the weather conditions. Due to its great insulation properties, framed homes can be found in all countries across the world from colder climates in Denmark to hot climates here in Western Australia
  4. Framed construction has a huge variety of external cladding eg. Scyon linea by James Hardie, matrix cladding James Hardie, blue board cladding which can be rendered, other types of weatherboards, the list goes on for external cladding options
  5. Much quicker construction times than double brick, some framed homes can be built in as little as 8-10 weeks, due to the timing on each aspect of the construction. This can be further enhanced due to the availability to purchase pre-fabricated stud walls and roof trusses
  6. If you chose timber framed construction and clad your home, you will save significant space due to the width of cladding being quite thin which essentially creates more room in the inside spaces of the home, this is a great benefit when building on small blocks which seem to be the norm these days
  7. Timber has a much lower embodied energy than clay bricks, most of the embodied energy in bricks is from the in-depth manufacturing process. Therefore, timber is much more sustainable and has a better impact on the environment

The disadvantages of timber framed construction:
  1. Not as solid as double brick construction
  2. Can increase the chance of vermin notably termites, however this can be prevented with termite treated timber and installing and maintaining a pest barrier around your home, all renovations completed by Distinct renovations include a pest barrier
  3. Timber homes can catch on fire much quicker than double brick homes, however this can also be prevented by working with fire resistant products.

Since writing this blog back in early 2016  I have now moved out of a solid double brick home and into a lovely brand new timber frame home with lovely high raking ceilings. I wanted to update this blog to let everyone know, first hand how amazingly quick it is to cool your home down on those hot summer nights we have in Perth.

We open the doors and windows at night and due to the lightweight construction our home can cool down in a matter of minutes which is much quicker than any air-conditioner could do in a double brick home! The house then remains cool over night.

Timber frame constructed homes may be "light weight" in construction but I can assure anyone thinking of building one that they are more comfortable to live in when compered to double brick homes. Not too mention the electricity and gas bills which are reduced due to less energy wasted on heating and cooling!


I hope this blog article has helped you decide on which form of construction you will chose on your next project. Distinct Renovations prefer to build with timber framed construction, based on the above benefits particularly for the energy efficiency and the environmental impacts.

However, being builders in Perth we understand the love of bricks and can also work with double brick, brick veneer, reverse brick veneer or any construction method which you prefer.
If you have any questions or want to discuss your next project please contact us now.

​
Timber Frame Builders Perth
33 Comments
deck building link
11/4/2018 05:28:03 pm

Wonderful post. Now I know detailed information about the advantages and disadvantages of double brick construction and timber framed construction. I also constructed timber decking last year. This post reminds me a lot...

Reply
Jane link
30/3/2020 09:36:04 am

Thanks for your comment I am not sure why I had not replied all those years ago!

Reply
David
12/5/2020 07:03:12 pm

I have read this detail view on both constructions I’m more confused about what’s better . What’s the cost difference is more important. Can this be done in detail . I have found from experience that double brick can’t add more tv or power points due to solid walls . Timber frames can add or remove electrical wiring but termites can be a problem.

Reply
Jane Issitt link
13/5/2020 11:14:08 am

Hi David,

Thanks for your comment.

There is not better construction method you weigh up the pros and cons and make a decision for yourself.
We like to build using timber frame construction as it is our preferred.

When is come to cost, sometimes timber frame is cheaper but in some random instances brick can be cheaper in WA due to the design of the home and the fact that bricks are very cheap as is labor of bricklayers currently in Perth. This due to the recent down turn we ave had over here.

In the eastern states however timber frame construction is usually cheaper then double brick construction.

Hope this helps.
Thanks
Jane

Reply
Solid Plastering link
18/6/2020 03:20:21 pm

This is really something I was looking for…thank you for lighting on this topic here. This is really helpful for us, this gives some really needful information about timber frames and double brick.. Thanks for sharing it here!!! I have also found this resource qualityplasterers.co.nz useful and its related to what you are mentioning.

Reply
New Home Builders Christchurch link
26/6/2020 08:11:37 pm

These are really some great tips to share with us. Thank you very much for this brilliant post. I was looking for learn more about double bricks and timber frames, and got some really nice information here. Thanks for sharing!! This petesconstruction.co.nz/services/new-home-construction is very useful and its related to what you have actually mentioned here

Reply
Solid Plastering Christchurch link
1/7/2020 11:57:58 am

This blog helps you to know about double brick vs timber framed.These are must read for all.This article is a good one to look at. You will get best review over here and would suggest others too. Great blog indeed, will visit again future to read more!! Well, I have visited another site ptcladding.co.nz having some wonderful and similar information.

Reply
Brick Veneer Auckland link
3/7/2020 08:47:33 pm

All the things about double brick versus Timber framed are discussed over here. This article mentions and acts as such a moving trigger. It is an article worth applauding for based on its content. I am sure many people will come to read this in future.

Reply
Bangun Jati Mandiri link
13/7/2020 04:40:17 pm

very interesting article. If you want to see tips on choosing the Indonesian version of brick hebel can be seen here https://bangunjatimandiri.com/tips-choosing-bata-for-rumah/

Thank you

Reply
Foundation waterproofing Christchurch link
1/9/2020 01:39:22 pm

This article provides us information regarding the double brick vs timber framed.It provide us true and insightful information regarding it .So, anyone searching for same topic may find their shelter over here. This is a great article and you are banged on with your points about it. You must also check out Smcnz.nz it has some great insights too.

Reply
Carpentry Austin Texas link
24/9/2020 07:16:02 pm

Here we get to know about the double brick vs timber framed.I enjoyed reading this article and would suggest others it as well. Thank you for this article! This is really very informative for us

Reply
Rikki-Lea
4/10/2020 03:01:17 pm

This is a great article, do you by any chance have one comparing Steel framing also?!!!

Reply
www.sidingomahane.com/siding-repair/ link
12/10/2020 05:12:16 pm

Building double brick home has its advantages over brick veneer including: Reduced Risk of Termites – Without an internal wood frame, there is less chance of a termite attack. Less Noise Transmission – traffic noise can't penetrate two layers of brick as easily as one layer.

Reply
John
13/10/2020 08:46:37 pm

I have lived in both brick veneer and double brick homes. Brick veneer is the preferred method of construction here in Melbourne. Double brick has alway been more expensive in Melbourne. I disagree that a brick veneer is more comfortable to live in. My current home which I built myself has double brick external walls with plasterboard internal lining and is very comfortable. All internal room walls are timber framed. We rarely need to switch on the air conditioning in summer even followings a 3 to 4 day heat wave. The temperature inside is still comfortable even after 3 days of 40 degree Celsius. Once the cool change comes we open the windows and the house cools to a comfortable temperature. It is also very comfortable in winter. My parent’s house which is brick veneer with lots of insulation in the walls requires air conditioning during hot days to be comfortable. My next door neighbour’s house which is a fairly new home with brick veneer downstairs and timber framed with a foam type rendered panel upstairs needs air conditioning running when the External temperature reaches mid to high 20 Degrees. I can hear it all the time. I would never go back to a brick veneer home again.

Reply
Rusty
29/11/2020 12:23:45 am

Totally agree with you mate. As a person who used to live in solid concrete or brick houses all my life all around world I’ve been shocked to see that frame houses sold here as having any benefits (except extra margin for builder). I built 2 frame houses on the East Coast and NZ and none of them were cheaper than double brick in Perth (it’s actually were way more expensive). It is a huuuge relief to find out that Perth and surrounds built out of double brick. I finally can have my solid house, not something like from story about three piglets and wolf.

Reply
Mick
22/9/2021 09:11:49 pm

...and herein lies the rub.
Quote:
"I’ve been shocked to see that frame houses sold here as having any benefits (except extra margin for builder)."

Many (most?) of us have, over the years, noticed a reduction in the quality of construction (of many things, not just houses).

Going back many years, better quality houses were solidly built, mostly in masonry. It's only been in the last 30-40 years or so, that builders - seeking to make "better margin" - have moved away from double brick, and toward brick veneer.

Not because it's "better". But because it's "cheaper". (To build, NOT to sell).

We see this kind of thinking in a variety of ways, most notably the recent trend toward the use of "waffle pod" slabs, where the bulk of the slab is polystyrene, with "some" cement used as filler.

Again, not because it is "better", but because it is cheaper to build (and thus more "margin" can be gained).

This - and other blogs like it - which are advocating brick veneer construction, are doing so for one reason, and one reason only. To ultimately save building costs, and pass both cost (and ultimately risk) back to the consumer.

Look around at older double brick houses, and compare them to newer brick veneer places...then think about the saying "They don't build them like they used to!"

No, they don't. Because they can make more money "building them down to a price". The emergence/prevalence of brick veneer forms part of that loss of quality...

Jane link
7/7/2021 09:42:05 am

I guess everyone has their own opinions, I personally prefer timber frame homes to live in after living in so many different types. I live in Perth and that is my preference but every climate is different and also every home is different to the rest based on other site orientation nd other build materials. I appreciate your feedback it is always good to hear from others.

Reply
Bob link
1/12/2020 07:35:59 am

I didn't know that timber has much lower energy than clay bricks. I need timber for some metal awnings. I'll have to order some oak online.

Reply
Derek Swain link
21/12/2020 11:04:07 pm

I had no idea that bricks are excellent for sound insulation as a result of their thickness. My brother has been thinking about having a brick house constructed and needs to find a professional that can help prevent him from hearing the nearby street noise at night. He should hire someone that can help him lay some bricks.

Reply
Davo
5/1/2021 11:39:33 am

Very well written and none biased. I worked around the world for years and have built stone, brick, concrete tilt, clay, hay and timber.
I live in a hybrid home that i built in Perth Western Australia. why? because the climate and the location of rooms.

most people have an opinion on the construction, which is fine.
but the difference in most incidences is the location and climate that you are building in.
If you want to cool a house quick then timber all round. but it heats up quick. So insulate the wall correctly and the ceiling external walls only. sound proof walls inside and have as much sun off the walls as possible for either construction.
Once a mass heats up it takes as long to cool off.
revers veneer is the best of both worlds but once the mass heats up up you have to cool it. colder climates have the same principles but in reverse thought process.
concrete floors are grate for moderating tempter but timber is grate in extreme hot areas like the N of Australia. but once again when its cold the floor gets cold.
so in simple maths mass = energy. heat is energy. reduce energy, release energy fast or retain it.

Reply
Jane link
7/7/2021 09:44:29 am

You have absolutely hit the nail o the head Davo. It is not one is better than the rest it will come down to so many different variables.

Climate, orientation, build materials, floor plan etc.

Thanks for your valuable feedback.

Reply
Damian B link
9/1/2021 02:49:11 pm

Good reading this posst

Reply
Wall Insulation Bay of Plenty link
4/2/2021 07:24:18 pm

These are some great idea about double brick vs timber framed that you have discussed here. I really loved it and thank you very much for sharing this with us. You have a great visualization and you have really presented this content in a really good manner.This resource Insultech.co.nz i came across recently and is nice too as this particular site.

Reply
Cory R. Shapiro link
26/2/2021 11:45:45 am

You have great design and masonry. Thanks for sharing this.

Reply
Gilbert Bricklayer link
6/7/2021 05:01:36 pm

Interesting post! This is really helpful information about timber frames and double brick. Thank you very much for this brilliant post.

Reply
Jane link
7/7/2021 09:45:24 am

Appreciate your feedback. Thanks

Reply
Chance Cook link
14/7/2021 01:53:30 am

I am glad I can save a lot of space with cladding. That is enough to convince me to get some. But it all depends on what my wife thinks first.

Reply
Philip
26/11/2021 07:00:30 am

So Im a sandgoper, lived overseas last 20 years, grew up in double brick house foothills Perth. Currently living in a timber frame brick veneer house USA (new build 2 yers old), its horrible all the noise from upstairs is heard downstairs, rooms downstairs are not soundproofed even with noise dampening insulation. The central heating / cooling is running 24/7 all year round, best thing about USA construction is they seal the house properly and use double glazing which has never really caught on in Aus (too expensive), the worst thing is they USA houses don't last roof gets replaced every 15 to 20 years ( they use asphalt shingles reduce noice from rain), if you buy a 30yr old house it would be knocked down and rebuilt. I'm not sure if its a West Aussie thing but after living in timber frame, timber frame brick veneer and double brick I can't see any benefit moving away from double brick unless your gone safe 20% TO 30% on build cost which from what I understand is not the case anywhere in Australia.

Reply
timber floor repairs sydney link
9/6/2022 08:38:57 pm

If you spill something on your wooden floor, immediately clean it up with a towel. Also, avoid using too much water when cleaning. As a general guideline, anything you use to clean a hardwood floor should be moist, not wet enough to leave beads of liquid on the surface.

Reply
Steel framed homes perth link
6/7/2022 12:47:19 pm

They're Value For Cash|Faster Constructs|Fire Protection|Termite Evidence|100% recyclable Perth has actually had a romance with dual block houses but steel structure residences offer several advantages.

Reply
Millie Hue link
27/10/2022 07:14:42 pm

It's interesting to know that timber wall frame buildings would be comfortable while being energy efficient as well even though it is lightweight. With that in mind, I will be choosing timber wall frame suppliers when I get a vacation house built next year. I have bought a piece of land from a location that I dream of moving into when I retire, and choosing the right materials will ensure that I will have a nice home to live in when that time comes.

Reply
Chloe Hodgkinson link
9/2/2023 09:47:45 am

We appreciate you sharing this important information with us. Others who don't yet know this knowledge may find this useful.

Reply
Jane Issitt link
1/5/2023 05:51:54 am

Thanks I only hope so Chloe.

Reply



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