Building your own home means different things to each and every one of us. Identifying a few key factors is a good place to start when considering a building system choice.

1. Finding the right build method
Finding the right build method

2. The four main building routes
Traditional
Timber
SIPS
Frame
ICF

3. First priorities
Building your own home means different things
to each and every one of us. Identifying a few
key factors is a good place to start when
considering a building system choice.
• How much ‘hands on action’ are you looking
for?
• What level of experience do you have?
• Where are you on Energy Efficiency and MMC
• How do you want it to look?
• Where are you building and is space a
constraint?
• What’s the budget?

4. Route 1: Traditional
Perhaps most commonly referred to as
brick and block construction - it’s safe
to say its still recognised as the most
‘traditional’ of build routes in the UK.
• Inner leaf of wall carries the
load of the structure
• Insulated Cavity
• Outer Wall in Brick, Stone or
weatherproofed block work
• Cavity ties and damp proof
measures

5. Route 1: Traditional Walling Cost
Pros and Cons Say £70 -£75m2
Advantages... Disadvantages...
• Universally established &
accepted system. • Speed of construction.
• Skilled labour easily available. • Inner leaf block work prone to
• Materials available locally with settlement/shrinkage cracking.
zero notice.
• Good load bearing strength. • Workmanship issues in respect
• Acceptable energy performance of cavities
• Versatile. • Weather dependant

6. Route 1: Traditional
Variations on a theme
Thin Joint Systems Single Skin Masonry
• Faster, Easier laying of blocks could
suit DIY. • Can be constructed utilising
• Easy to trim on site for openings and thin joint or traditional
lintels mortar.
• No cement mixers
• Less waste • Fast (only one wall to build)
• Enhanced Insulation possibilities • Insulated on the external face
through greater area of block.
• Increased air tightness & acoustic
properties.

7. Route 1: Traditional
Eco & Energy Efficiency
•energy/CO2 Eco – Credentials:
•water (Realistically) Poor
•materials
•surface water runoff (flooding and
flood prevention) Energy Efficiency
•waste Variable
•pollution
•health and well-being
•management
•ecology

8. Route 2: Timber Frame
Timber frame is steadily increasing in popularity
and it is estimated that the majority of dwellings
in Scotland are built using timber frame systems.

9. Route 2: Timber Frame
Closed Panel System
A closed panel refers to the process of building
sections of structure off site in a factory and then
craning the sections in to position. A weather tight
structure with factory installed windows and doors
can be erected in a few hours.

10. Route 2: Timber Frame
Open Panel System
An open panel system is more commonly seen in the
UK. The external boarding is fixed to the panel in the
factory and delivered to site for erection with the
insulation and inner face being completed on site.

11. Route 2: Timber Frame
Pros & Cons
Advantages... Disadvantages...
• Reduced Site skilled labour costs.
• Long procurement process
• Reduced wastage
• Quality Control factory • Deficiency in on site fixing quality
manufactured • Probably not for effective DIY
• Faster build to weather tight stage installation
• Good energy performance . • Transportation and access
• One supplier for design , • Weathering exposure prior to closure
manufacture and erection.
• Sustainable • Combustibility of part built structure
• Critical setting out of ground works
• Storage of panels on site

12. Route 2: Timber Frame
Eco-Credentials & Energy Efficiency
Eco – Credentials:
(Realistically) Mixed – It can be good but use of
FSC Timber offset by insulation which isn’t
usually green
Energy Efficiency
Good if workmanship is of high quality.

13. Route 3: Structurally Insulated Panel (SIPS)
SIP Panels are typically made by
sandwiching a polystyrene foam core
between two OSB boards to create a
structural panel.
• Created Offsite
• Very strong & lightweight panel.
• Standard and whole wall solutions
• Can be used in Walls, Floor &
Roof applications
• Can be ‘clad’ in any desired finish.

14. Route 3: Structurally Insulated Panel (SIPS) Walling Cost
Say £75 /m2
Roof Cost say £85 /m2
Advantages... Disadvantages...
• Ease & speed of assembly. • Careful planning and design required.
• Avoids additional framing • Not easy to change adapt or renovate
• Airtight down the line
• Good thermal and structural • Airtight so need good ventilation
properties systems
• U Values 0.14 w/m2k • Unforgiving to leaks & water problems
• Flat surfaces with good fixing • Home Insurance providers still
properties nervous
• Less waste on site • Not easily considered for DIY
• Uses less raw timber

15. Route 3: SIPS
Eco-Credentials & Energy Efficiency
Eco – Credentials:
(Realistically) Mixed – It can be good but use
of FSC Timber is offset by insulation which
isn’t usually green.
Energy Efficiency
Very Good.

16. Route 4: Insulated Concrete form work (ICF)
Insulated concrete form work consists of
prefabricated insulated shuttering
created using individual ‘Lego’ blocks
which are reinforced and filled with
concrete.
• Blocks can be of polystyrene or recycled
wood product created offsite for on site
installation.
• Insulation is permanent and is filled with
concrete using a pump
• Systems can be rendered or completed with
brick slips externally and receive direct
finishing's internally.
• Flexible design solutions, including
basements.
• Suitable for DIY

17. Route 4: Insulated Concrete Formwork(ICF) DIY Cost
Say £85 /m2
Advantages... Disadvantages...
• Specialised Design
• Ease & speed of assembly.
• Unforgiving in terms of set out
• Strength mistakes
• Energy Efficiency • Airtight so need good ventilation
• Noise Suppression systems and dehumidification
• Renovation or alteration not
• Basement Construction simple
• Less Waste • Pouring process requires good
• DIY installation feasible. bracing support and adequate
vibration.

18. Route 4: ICF
Eco-Credentials & Energy Efficiency
Eco – Credentials:
(Realistically) Poor – It’s all concrete and usually
petrochem based insulation
Energy Efficiency
Good if workmanship is of high quality.

19. ...and finally