Building a House Utilizing Traditional Brick and Block Construction - Coursework Example

 Building a House Utilizing "Traditional" Brick and Block Construction Introduction The traditional brick and block system of house construction still up to date remain the most popular way of house construction. It has been noted that up to 70% of house builders normally prefer this traditional construction method. Brick and block construction is simply carried out by building a foundation followed by double cavity wall. This wall is unique in the sense that it comprises of a square manufactured internal skin and a block assembled external skin (Design materials, 2008; Design materials, 2008). This wall ties is designed to add extra strength to the wall. There is also a cavity connecting the two walls. This cavity is normally filled up with insulating material for insulation purpose. This paper intends to elaborately discuss details involved in the construction of this brick and block traditional house. Discussion a. Buildings substructure, foundation and the external wall up to the damp proof course level The construction of brick and block traditional houses begin with digging of the trench. The trench is the site where the foundation will be laid on and should be well inspected before the concrete is laid. This must be done in accordance with the plan of construction. The plan is very instrumental precisely when revealing the load bearing walls and the width of the tranches to be excavated (Homebuilding, 2009). Homebuilding, 2009 Building Sherif, 2010 When building the wall the choice of brick and block to be used is very important. This affects the brick to be used in the foundation and when building the course block works as far as color and size is concerned (Homebuilding, 2009). The foundation trench concrete is therefore laid down to a depth at least 150mm or as specified in the plan (Building Sherif, 2010). After the laying of the concrete, the bricks and blocks are laid down in cavity wall construction depending on the planned design style (Building Sherif, 2010). The construction of the two walls is done with the two skins constructed next to one another leaving a cavity in between them. The traditional brick and block develops a relative solid 9-inch wall. The main challenge despite the thickness is the risk due to exposure to moisture. However, with the cavity, it is difficult for water to get across the void between the two skins (Building Sherif, 2010). To effectively prevent dampness, there is need to clear up the cement falling in between the walls during construction. This is primarily because if left there for long, it will pile up hence creates a bridge which will accelerate moistening the wall course. The builders also need to tie both the brick-work and block-work skins together but carefully and at a regular interval (Self build, 2011). This interval will prevent them from moving independent from each other. Use of stainless steel or galvanized metals also aid in reducing the power of water percolation (Self build, 2011). b. An external door or window opening In brick and block houses, the window and door opening are usually constructed with great caution. The construction of the windows and the doors takes place as the walls construction is still progressing. However, the builder must first close the cavity between the walls before fitting the door and windows frames (Build store, 2013). This is done by building a cross wall that will close both the brick and block wall. This will provide a platform for fitting of the frames. Additionally, the cross wall will also delimit moisture from penetrating the door and window frames. It is important to mention that timber windows and door frames are usually fitted first (Build store, 2013). This is done with aid of proprietary cavity closers. The closers are meant to offer elaborate wall insulation. The insulation is against cold bridging (Build store, 2013). Moreover, the choice of frames used is an essential factor to consider. In most cases, the UPVC frames are always used (Build store, 2013). This is due to their high insulation power. During the construction of the door and window, the builder must put lintels. The lintels help in offering strong support to the bricks and blocks lying above the door and window opening (Build store, 2013). This prevents the collapse or cracking of the window frames. c. Roof construction and insulation Most house builders have noted that roofing is one of the most time consuming phase of construction. Despite roof construction being time consuming, it is also costly. Due to high costs, most constructors prefer using trussed roofs that are fabricated (Build store, 2013). This type of roof can be built based on two types. The first type of trussed roof is constructed to just offer strong support the roof covering (Build store, 2013). The other type is mainly designed to bear attic trusses where the roof void can be occupied (Build store, 2013). On the other hand when ordering for the traditional roof, most builders prefer ordering prefabricated roof or order only the trusses. This must be supplemented with the ancillary timber which is ordered separately (Build store, 2013). It is also noted that the more complex the roof is the more expensive it become. The use of attic trusses to occupy the roof space generally appreciates the overall expense on the roof. Considering the roofing types, we have the flat roofing (Build store, 2013). This is mostly preferred as one of the most potential and high maintenance roofing in design. In addition, the flat roof could also be reinforced with a concrete deck to increase its stability (Build store, 2013). The other type is the cut and pitch roofing. This type is constructed precisely using loose sawn lumber (Build store, 2013). Noting is the fact that this roof constructed takes the form of timber or steel purlins. This timber or steel purlins are fitted between the gable walls. The fitting basically supports the rafter or spars placed between the wall plate and the ridge (Build store, 2013). Brick and block traditional houses must have the roof insulated from cold. In executing this vital requirement, most builders use the celling to install roof insulation. In reality, the insulation is done at celling joist level (Build store, 2013). Moreover, there is need to include a ventilation. This should be built as an alternative option when a breathable membrane is not underlayed. There is also the need to use the proprietary soffit (Build store, 2013). This is aimed at preventing condensation whenever it occurs. Roof insulation is very important in brick and block constructions for warmth. A warm roof can be constructed by having the insulators be fitted directly below the roof covering (Build store, 2013). This will possibly make chances of condensation unlikely to happen. In such case, there is no need to construct wall ventilation. The house roof must be fitted with waterproof cover underlying the trusses (Build store, 2013). This waterproof cover is laid across the trusses and is also held down tightly by the roofing tiles. Concrete tiles are also recommended to be cost effective and long lasting roof cover. Conclusion In summary, the construction of brick and block traditional houses is relatively fundamental as far as house strength, beauty and insulation is concerned. This traditional house is a tried and tested structure which is well known (Design materials, 2008). Though it appears complex, the skilled labor is readily available and there are many different designs of the same house. Contrary, constructing brick and block house is slower as compared to other houses design. This is due to the construction regulation that must be followed which makes the process slower. References Building Sherif, (2010). A Guide to Cavity Walls, Brick/Block Work of a House Extension. Accessed on March 31, 2014, from http://www.buildingsheriff.com/extensions/extension- cavity-walls.html. Build store, (2013). Traditional Build Homes/ Masonry Construction. Accessed on March 31, 2014, from http://www.buildstore.co.uk/materials/masonryconstruction.html. Design materials, (2008). Brick and Block Masonry Construction. Accessed on March 31, 2014 from http://designandmaterials.uk.com/materials/brick-and-block.html. Homebuilding, (2009). Foundations Explained. Accessed on March 31, 2014 from http://www.homebuilding.co.uk/advice/key-choices/foundations/foundations-explained Self build, (2011). Brick and Block Building. Accessed on March 31, 2014, from http://www.selfbuildabc.co.uk/building/brick-block-building.asp. Read More