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Essay / Building houses in England and Wales: construction methods and stages
The majority of new houses in England and Wales are built using traditional masonry. Traditional masonry construction is the construction method of choice for new homes in England and Wales. This method is ingrained in our national psyche and most people seem to feel more comfortable placing their trust and money in brick and mortar. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay Most of us are familiar with this method, and in addition to a number of advantages, there is a deep historical and psychological attachment to masonry construction that has contributed to its continued existence as the primary method of building houses in the UK.AdvantagesIt is a flexible system in design and construction.can be one of the most cost-effective methods of construction.many tradesmen and specialist knowledge are available to complete your project.DisadvantagesConstruction On-site means progress may be affected by adverse weather conditions. Materials must be stored on site and protected from the elements before being integrated into the building structure. Timber framing covers a number of building systems and is in essence a traditional construction method. However, advances in the manufacturing industry have moved many of these methods into the classification of modern construction methods discussed below. It is the second most popular technique for building new homes in the UK and, according to the UK Timber Frame Association, it is the fastest growing method of construction in the UK. Traditionally used in regions rich in wood resources such as North America and Scandinavia, it has good environmental credentials. In addition to timber framing, many other alternative construction methods are used in the UK. Examples: (SIP) Structural insulated panels are rigid foam insulation sandwiched between two OSB panels. They can be used structurally and create a wall or roof system without thermal bridges. These buildings are extremely airtight and have a very high R-value, which results in superior thermal performance in a relatively thin wall. Multi-story buildings can be achieved, but there are structural limitations to panels as well as fire-rated assemblies that must be considered for larger commercial use. SIPs can also be used as infill wall panels on framed structures. (ICF) (Insulated Concrete Forms) are continuous rigid foam panels that are used as concrete forms and left in place after pouring to create a wall that has both thermal mass and a high R-value. Some contractors use them only for foundations, but entire structures can be built from them. These buildings are extremely quiet and thermally exceptional. Roofing systems must be SIP, truss or rafter, so proper detailing is essential. The disadvantages are that local concrete costs can significantly increase the price per square foot and these buildings are not easy to modify with conventional tools once constructed. Radiant wall systems are similar to ICFs, only the rigid insulation is an interior layer, sandwiched by the.