Non-Conventional Construction

Joining SWIGA as an Associate Member is completely free and gives you access to all areas of the member onlt sections of the website ... including the highly regarded "Knowledge Hub". You can find all the details about membership and how to join here: https://www.swiga.co.uk/membership/

Within this member only section is a category all about non-trad construction with specific articles on the following:

Non Conventional Housing - An Overview

The history and an overview of non-traditional housing in the UK and the challenges to retrofit. Post war there was also a need to redeploy factories and work-forces that had been established to support the war effort, there was also a severe housing shortage and a lack of skilled labour and the traditional materials needed to build with – hence the emergence of non-traditional methods of construction.

We go on to cover the 4 main types on non-traditional construction:

Non Conventional - Insitu Concrete Construction

Historical, post war non-conventional houses constructed from insitu concrete can represent specific retrofit challenges. The concrete used was typically a locally sourced dense or clinker no fines aggregate. The honey comb effect of the no-fines concrete resulted in a brittle material and provided a lower u value than that of standard, dense concrete. There are around 61 different types that typically comprise of load bearing concrete columns and external concrete cladding infill panels which were cast off site before being transported to site, lifted and fixed into place.

Non Conventional - Precast Concrete Construction

Pre-cast concrete non-trads (commonly referred to as PRC’s) are an extremely common type of non conventional construction which require care when considering retrofit upgrades. There are 139 different types of precast concrete houses which typically comprise of load bearing concrete columns and external concrete cladding infill panels which were cast off site before being transported to site, lifted and fixed into place.

Non Conventional - Timber Frame Construction

There are 142 different specific types of timber framed non-traditional built houses.Typically, these were all constructed using single storey height timber frame panels which were sheathed on the inside and externally clad. As you’d perhaps expect, problems are particularly moisture related and the resulting timber decay.

Non Conventional - Metal Frame Construction

There are 104 different specific types of metal framed non-traditional built houses. Typically, these dwellings were constructed by building a load-bearing frame comprising of metal columns, joists, beams and roof trusses which were then clad. Principally these properties are steel framed (or steel & cast iron based) although some aluminum framed dwellings were also constructed.

We also recognise an additional category know as Rationalised Traditional construction ... Rat-Trads for short. These are a combination of traditional methods of construction and non-conventional.

Rationalised Traditional - Crosswall Construction

Crosswall is a form of construction which incorporates both traditional and non-traditional methods; Both end gables and all separating party walls are constructed in traditional brick and block. However, the front and rear elevations are formed from a non-traditional timber frame. This was then then boarded or sheathed and finished using a variety of materials often including plywood or asbestos paneling.

We have also published a feature designed to help you face the challenge of identifying non-conventional properties which is not always as easy as you may think!

Head on over to this section of the website to find out more - if you are not a member you will first need to register to access it - FREE of course!