At Vogue Homes we take great pride in all our homes being traditionally built. For us, when creating homes for families to thrive in, we have to build the most efficient, safe and robust homes that will last a growing family throughout their lifetime. This is why we choose a traditional block and brick build over, what many of the modern developers choose, a timber frame.
At Vogue Homes we are not about throwing up houses to make as much money as possible. We think that it is important to put the customer at the forefront of our decision processes and not the profit. We want our homes to be the hub of a family, a place of stability. As a family run company, we understand the complexities of running a family in a modern world and we want to make sure our homes make that a little bit easier.
So we thought it would be a good idea to outline some of the benefits of a traditionally built home and hopefully help you understand why a Vogue Homes home is a better choice than much of the other builds out there.
Modern day timber builds are treated with preservatives but this is only effective if the timber isn’t cut or drilled. As a timber build is built up of components constructed off-site it is only inevitable that site alterations occur. All ends that have been altered or cut should be retreated but, in many cases, do not. Plus, even if the timber is treated it still doesn’t guarantee that it won’t rot. Look at fence posts, these are well treated but some still rot. This is why we prefer to use traditional brick and block which is much more durable and easier to work around alterations as construction is done on site.
Timber is also vulnerable to both wet and dry rot and also from attack from a variety of insects and pests. Termites are becoming an increasing problem in the UK. Termites eat 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and have caused billions of dollar’s worth of damage in the US. This problem is alleviated with a traditional build.
To lessen the problem of wet rot timber frames should not be covered until the moisture content is below 20% but in most cases on a timber build development this is rarely monitored or even considered. Critically the most important part of the timber build is the sole plate, the timber structure that is fixed to the ground and anchors all the walls. This is generally immersed in water until the roofing is built and the structure can be made weather proof.
Insurers are increasingly including provisions that exclude wet and dry rot and hardly any insurers will cover damage caused by insects and pests. Termite damage is not covered by UK insurance policies. Loss or damage caused by damp is generally excluded and poor maintenance of your house can actually invalidate your policy.
Condensation is another major factor. It is the most common cause of dampness in new homes. Mould growth is caused by condensation which results in serious health complaints and respiratory problems. This is particularly a problem in timber built homes. This is due to the polythene vapour barrier installed behind the plasterboard. This effectively seals in all the moisture caused by such things as baths, shows and cooking. If this does become a problem most house builders and the National House-Building Council will describe this as a lifestyle problem and advise to do things such as turn up your heating or open windows even in cold weather.
Want to improve your current home? With a traditional build it is much easier to make improvements to your home. If you wanted to add an extension to your home, a timber framed home will throw up many obstacles such as lengthy design and delivery lead times. Or more simply, putting up a shelf in a timber framed home means finding the support brackets at the stud centres if indeed you can find them. A problem that doesn’t arise in a traditional build.
If you are looking for a home that will heat up quickly but equally cool down very quickly then a timber build is for you. But if you want a home that will retain the heat throughout the day then a traditional build is what you are looking for. Not only that, but a traditional build allows the home to absorb the heat in the Summer months which in-turn keeps the interior of the home cool and fresh.
If you are interested in finding out more about our developments please contact Rob & Claire at Wm Sykes on 01484 683543