Types of self-build home
Early on in the process, you’ll need to consider what type of material you want your house to be made from. The materials you choose, the way your home is constructed and the building methods you select will affect everything, from the cost of building your home to the eventual sale price, how well insulated your home is, how easy it is to adapt in the future and what lenders are willing to let you borrow. The most common types are:
Timber frame
The house starts as a basic wooden frame and is then covered with waterproof building materials such as stone or bricks. Some companies make kit houses, in which all the elements are provided to a standard design – all the builder must do is put them together. This is a relatively quick way to get the initial structure of the house built.
Brick and block
Both outer and inner walls are constructed of brick, with an insulating material between the two of them.
Steel frame
A steel frame is built and panels are attached to it. The panels are then coated, or made waterproof in some other way. Many of the materials used in this process can be made in advance, saving build time on site.
Insulated concrete formwork
The house is made of polystyrene blocks with a hole inside. Concrete is then poured inside the hole to make it airtight and well insulated. The blocks are then covered with an insulating layer.