Wall, floor, and roof construction methods

Wall, floor, and roof construction methods

Wall Construction Methods

Brick and Blockwork

  • Traditional brick and blockwork construction involves building walls by layering bricks or blocks with mortar to bind them together.
  • Often employs a cavity wall construction with two layers separated by an insulated gap, increasing thermal efficiency.
  • Requires skilled bricklayers and can be labour intensive.

Timber Frame

  • In timber frame construction, the structural framework of the building is built from timber.
  • Walls are made up of timber panels filled with insulation – the panels are clad externally for weather protection.
  • Provides excellent thermal and noise insulation properties.
  • Generally quicker to construct compared to brick and blockwork.

Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs)

  • Structural insulated panels (SIPs) are pre-fabricated, highly insulating panels used to construct walls, roofs, and floors.
  • Composed of an insulating layer of rigid polyurethane foam sandwiched between two layers of structural board.
  • Quick to install and offers high performance in terms of energy efficiency and structural strength.

Floor Construction Methods

Solid Concrete Floors

  • Solid concrete floors are constructed by pouring a layer of concrete over hardcore, then adding a damp-proof membrane and thermal insulation.
  • Provides a durable, robust surface suitable for most types of finish.
  • Requires a significant drying period before it can be finished.

Beam and Block Floors

  • Beam and block floors are constructed using precast concrete beams and blocks.
  • Ideal for ground level installation, offering excellent thermal insulation and damp resistance.
  • Quick to install and doesn’t require significant curing time as with solid concrete floors.

Roof Construction Methods

Trussed Rafter

  • The most common method of roof construction, trussed rafters are prefabricated structures that provide a quick and efficient method of constructing a roof.
  • Consists of a framework of timber members forming a series of triangles.
  • Ideal for wide spanning roofs and allows for flexibility in room layout beneath.

Cut Roof

  • Cut roofs are built on site and are cut and fitted to the building structure.
  • Allows for more flexibility and adaptability in terms of design and structure.
  • Can accommodate features such as dormers, chimneys and roof windows.

Flat Roof

  • Flat roofs are built using timber joists covered with a decking material, then waterproofed with a roofing felt or membrane.
  • Offers the potential for space saving, as it allows for the whole of the interior space to be used.
  • Requires careful design to ensure proper drainage and sealing.