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BUILDING YOUR TIMBER HOME
Have you ever considered building a home using wood?
For centuries, timber has been used in the construction of houses. And even until the present, the usefulness and beauty of wood has not been outmoded for uses in building jobs. As a matter of fact, wood has really been popular and even today you can see a number of structures made from this material. For instance builders in Australia such as Perth home builders and Melbourne Builders, these are a few examples: · Log homes · Vacation home · Primary residence · Bunk house · Lakeside cottage · Hunting cabin · Guest house · Elder cottage · Home office · Pool house · Rental cabins · Meeting halls · Concessions · Bath houses · Office · Studio · Retail space
The popularity of wood lodgings has been recognized widely so that some holiday accommodation offer a romantic hideaway for dating couples in their own log cabin somewhere in a secluded but safe spot.
The Advantages of Wood
People may think that the primary reason why wood is being used for constructing houses is because it is cheaper. Unknown to many, the use of wood as a building material offers many amazing advantages. A few are listed as follows:
1. Houses derived from wood are healthier to live in because the material is eco-friendly. 2. Wooden and timber houses are quick to build and much easier to construct. They are also low in maintenance. 3. Wood is the most important natural thermo-protector. It is warm during cold conditions and cool during warm months. 4. Wood is actually one of the most durable, strong and flexible building material. As a matter of fact, properly notched and maintained wooden houses can stay for hundreds of years. In Siberia for example, in spite the adverse climate conditions, wooden houses that are six to seven centuries old are standing proudly till the present. 5. Wood is way far less expensive compared with other materials used for construction.
This only goes to show that using wood as a building material provides many ecological, biological and economic advantages. When you take all these benefits into consideration, there is really no reason why you won’t consider building a timber home.
Build Your Timber Home
If you consider building a house that is both beautiful and durable, timber remains one of the best materials you can use. Before you embark on your building project however there are two important things you need to tackle first:
1. Determine if you will undertake the project yourself or you will enlist the services of builders. In this case, decide how much involvement you are willing to give to the building process. Will you supervise, do hands-on work, or leave to the contractor all the tedious work?
2. At present, wood houses are best constructed using timber-framing technique so basically, the next is for you to choose the timber-framing company you think can give you the best in terms of the product it offers.
Using A Timber Frame Home Designer
When you are done with the initial planning the next step is to find someone who can design your timber frame home. Timber framing companies usually offer their own home design services. They can even provide several house plans from where you can choose you own design. However, if the timber company does not offer this service, there are building companies like Geelong Builders that can assist you as you go through this process.
It is very important that you choose a designer that can give you that perfect design to your best satisfaction.
In making your choice with regards to this matter, look at several examples of the previous work of the designer. Photographs will do but it is still best that you personally check by visiting the area of such person’s previous work. It is also vital that you know the designer’s fee and the payment schedule.
Choose the timber frame design not just for its beauty but most importantly check carefully that it fits your needs.
Choosing A Contractor
A general contractor or builder is responsible for constructing your home from foundation to finish. This person coordinates people and materials, labor and budget, and ensures that your house goes up on time and that it embodies all that you desire in your home project.
It is his (or her) job to supervise all subcontractors and other workers at the jobsite: coordinating with each one so that the work is efficiently done.
You can find your general contractor by consulting your local builder brokers association or anyone who is in house building business. The internet is a rich source of information for you.
Learn about the builder’s performance – if he delivers on time, within the budget and to the clients’ maximum satisfaction – by asking previous customers.
Be sure that your contractor has had experience working with timber jobs. It is important that the builder is able to understand the design and can carry well the construction details.
Read carefully the contents of the contract with the builder before you sign it. Make sure you understand all the terms and conditions of your contract.
The Building Process
Whether by yourself or by a builder the following are the general steps you need to undertake in your building process. Firstly, these are the works before you actually start constructing the house:
Foundation is dug Foundations and footings are poured The utilities are installed Title V-Compliant septic system is installed
Upon completion of the jobs listed, actual construction can now begin:
House Construction
The frame is assembled according to the blueprint Using a hydraulic crane, the frame is hoisted in place Prefabricated roof components are also lifted and attached The structural insulated panels (SIPs) are then placed between the timbers. These are used to hold up interior lath and plaster, and other interior cladding Add windows and interior features
Once your timber home is built, you can be sure that with proper care and maintenance, you can enjoy it for a long, long time.
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