Timber framed housing is in use across the world but the number of homes built this way in Ireland is small.
Timber frames are used in the construction of buildings worldwide but only around 10 per cent of houses are built this way in Ireland. Good insulation, speed of construction and versatility are among the advantages timber offers.
Everything from a three bedroom semi-detached to a luxury mansion can be built in timber frame.
Recent studies in England have shown a need for high standards in construction. The British Code of Construction Practice has been tightened up. In the Republic of Ireland, no such standards exist and the house buyer is left vulnerable to the integrity of the manufacturers.
Morgan McMahon, Thermal Frame Homes, says that existing manufacturers are operating to a specification that has been evaluated by the Institute for Industrial Research and Standards. There is no evidence of cowboy assemblers operating in the Republic of Ireland. He feels that as the market grows, there is the possibility that people will be attracted to the business who do not have the commitment to the standards.
The manufacturers themselves are left to implement their specifications in particular circumstances.
The market for timber framed homes in Ireland is small and the firms operating here are reputable. Morgan McMahon believes that the government needs to introduce a rigorous code of practice to protect both the manufacturer and the customer. In the UK, the National House Building Council (NHBC) offers a guarantee scheme on houses, in the same way as the NHGBS does in Ireland. However, the NHBC has introduced mandatory best practices specifically on timber framed housing. Morgan McMahon believes the same is needed in Ireland.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 27 September 1983. The reporter is Michael Walsh.
