Prefabricated Timber Frame Construction

Advantages:•Modern stylish look.•High level of thermal efficiency.•Generally safer on site as less time working at height.•Not held up by weather as built in factory.

Disadvantages:•Can be hard to extend, build on.•Need space for crane

DescriptionBuildings are made predominantly from timber, they are prefabricated in a factory and then assembled quickly on site.

Steel Frame

Advantages:•Large open areas can be made due to load bearing ability of steel•Quick to erect once steel have been pre fabricated.

Disadvantages:•Can be costly•High level of accuracy needed

DescriptionSteel is used more and more in construction, and is far more common in residential building. They are normally combined with concrete floors or brick walls. The steel is the main supporting element of the strucure.

Portal Frames

Advantages:•Large internal space•Quick to build•Easy to extend•Good height to strength ratio•Need lighter foundations than brick and block.•Materials can be recycled.

Disadvantages:•Need to be treated for rust.•Need fire protection coating.•Expensive to bend•Need maintenance such as re-painting

DescriptionThese are generally larger buildings that provide a large open space, the steel is prefabricated in a factory then bolted together on site. Steel is moved into place with a crane.

Concrete Frames

Advantages:•Good fire resistance•Can be shaped into any shape•Good compressive strength•No finish required•Can be clad•Pre cast construction is faster.

Disadvantages:•Require initial formwork support•Need a crane•Not strong on tension•Need skilled workforce

DescriptionConcrete is very strong in compression, so larger buildings can be built this way. The addition of steel makes the concrete stronger.Concrete can be cast into moulds or formwork on site, which requires about 5 days to cure. It can also be pre cast off site then joined together on site.

Load Bearing and Non Load Bearing

Load bearing refers to a walls ability to support the roof or floors above it.

Non Load bearing refers to walls that separate rooms, also known as partition walls.

Timber frame construction can use wooden panels covered with a plywood sheet to sheet to support the main structure of the building, this is then clad with brick on the outside of the building to achieve weather proofing.

Single Storey Buildings

DescriptionCommercial premises are frequently made from a steel frame, this provides the anchor points rails and cross rails (purlins) these support aluminium sheeting which normally has ridges to give it extra stability.

These buildings need large amounts of insulation as the main materials used have very poor insulation qualities.

The lower part of the building is normally made from block work.

Low Rise Buildings

Advantages:•Easy to adapt internally•Lots of glass allows natural light

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DescriptionCommercial buildings up to three storey's in height.They make use of steel in order to get large open spaces internally, these can be easily adapted for different uses, or remodeled when a new client moves in.

Housing

DescriptionMainly built using brick and block, with slate or tiled roofing. Sometimes refered to as traditional building. Can be delayed by bad weather and speed of construction is limited by amount of courses that can be laid in one day.

Detached – A house that is not connected to any other building

Semi Detached – two houses joined together, they share a party wall, this reduces they build cost.

Terrace Housing – A line of 3 or more houses joined together, normally cheaper to build as they share both side walls. You cannot access the rear of the house without going through the house normally. Historically fire can spread rapidly from house to house as there is no natural break. Modern building regs prevent this.Better U-Values due to shared walls, in older houses sound transfer between properties can be a problem.

Roofs

Pitched roofsUsually supported by roofing trussesClad in roofing paper and tiles or battens

Advantages•Natural shape helps shed water•Gives loft space

Disadvantages•Makes the building taller, can hinder planning

Flat RoofsShort span can be supported by timber, long spans need steel.

Advantages:•Easy to construct•Can give extra outdoor area in urban settings

Disadvantages•Often leak•No loft storage space

Flats

Advantages:Provide affordable housing

Disadvantages:Sound travel between apartments

DescriptionMultiple residential dwellings in one buildling, normally with a communal entrance and hallways.

They can be built using traditional methods or concrete, especially when over 3 storey’s in height.

Warehouses and Light Industrial Units

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Retail

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Offices

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