Tag: Brick Veneer

House Construction – The Frame

The  Internal Frame is the key structural element in most Brick Veneer House Construction.

In more lightweight structures such as timber cladding and lightweight render it takes on an even more of the structural loads.

The overall frame is composed from a number of individual wall panels, which when fixed to the base, and fastened together, form a rigid box like structure.

Structural Loads

The frame carries several main structural loads:

  • It takes the load of the roof, and any upper floors, down to the foundation.
  • It resists the wind trying to push the whole building over.
  • It provides lateral support for the brick walls.
  • Holds the windows in place.
  • It gives a secure fixing point for the internal wall and ceiling lining boards.
  • In the case of weatherboard or lightweight render construction it supports the outer skin of the building.

Additional Functions

  • Provides a route and fixing points for cables and pipes.
  • Retains insulation.
  • Supports cupboards and shelves.
  • Fixing of building wrap.

 

See also Brick Veneer

 

 

Why Brick Veneer?

Brick veneer is probably the most common method of construction in Australia.

However if you live in Western Australia you will find Double Brick is more popular in that state.

Although brick veneer is the usual term these comments will apply to all ‘Masonry Veneer’ construction which includes external walls of:

  • Brick.
  • Block work. including Light block such as Hebel.
  • Rendered brick / blocks.
  • Stone.

A Masonry veneer structure has two main components:

  1. The Frame. Can be either Timber or Steel. This is the main structural component of the house supporting the roof, and if required the upper floor. This is usually ‘wrapped’ as in photo above.
  2. The Masonry Veneer. Although this looks solid it really only supports itself, and relies on ties to the frame to keep it stable. It provides a weatherproof ‘skin’ to the building.

So Why

  • Gives a solid look to the house.
  • Lower cost than solid brick
  • The prefabricated frame allows the frame to be erected quickly allowing the builder to get the structure weatherproof.
  • Easy to insulate.
  • Lightweight internal construction which means it can be cooled or heated up quickly when you get home.
  • Relatively easy to make internal alterations at a later date.
  • Better able to deal with soil movement in ground conditions such as Clay Soils.

Problems with Brick Veneer:

  • Termites if using a timber frame.
  • Not as good as brick in preventing noise transmission.
  • Doesn’t have much Thermal Mass to balance extremes of temperature or help with Passive Solar Design

If you don’t like Brick (Masonry) Veneer tell me why not!

 

The most appropriate Brick Dimensions will make the walls easier to build.

 

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