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.