Timber-frame walls construction as alternative to masonry brick walls construction for reconstruction and development programme houses; an analytic effectiveness of timber

Abstract

The imbalance and diversities in the housing problem have to be addressed in South Africa. Attention should be given to investigating the basic needs and means of those who need shelter. This document is a study on timber-frame wall construction as an alternative to masonry brick-wall construction for the Reconstruction and Development Programme (ROP) houses; an analytic effectiveness of timber. A study was carried out comprising on-site and literature investigations in addition to interviews with key persons such as engineers, contractors and the general public. Although this study attempts to cover most of the factors influencing the use and advantages of timber-frames, the purpose is to investigate timber-frame walling as a possible replacement to traditional masonry brick walling on ROP houses. The objective is to speed up housing delivery and to save money, as well as to analyse the effectiveness of timber. The investigation indicates that timber-frame material is as competitive as any other conventional building material. A house built with timber is not a cabin or a temporary building. It is a permanent structure which is as durable, effective and resilient as any other accepted construction material and comes with a number of benefits.