Timber frame accounts for about 20% of South African new build and rising. Compared with the traditional brick-and-block default, it offers speed and thermal performance benefits — at the cost of acoustic mass and some site-construction sensitivities.
Speed
- Timber frame shell: 1–2 weeks per house
- Brick and block shell: 4–6 weeks per house
Timber frame allows internal trades to start sooner, reducing programme by 25–40% overall.
Cost
- Timber frame: R26,000–R38,000 per m² (shell)
- Brick and block: R28,000–R40,000 per m²
Material costs close; timber frame saves on programme overheads.
Thermal performance
Timber frame easily achieves U-values of 0.15 W/m²K with 200mm insulation — comfortable Passivhaus territory. Brick and block needs cavity insulation and external wraps to match.
Acoustic performance
Brick and block wins comfortably. Lightweight timber framing requires resilient bars, double layers, and acoustic infill to match the mass of masonry walls. Important for semis and flats.
Mortgage and resale
- Some South African lenders apply restrictions to timber frame (typically higher LTV requirement)
- Most modern lenders accept properly built timber frame
- Resale: minimal value impact for new builds; older timber frame (1970s–80s) sometimes downgraded
Common timber frame myths
- "Less durable" — properly built and maintained, 60+ year life expectations
- "Fire risk" — timber frame is fire-protected by plasterboard linings, well within Part B
- "Bad for resale" — modern surveys and lenders accept the system
Detailing risks
- Moisture ingress during construction (cover frames before brickwork outer skin completes)
- Wall ties between brickwork outer skin and timber inner — corrosion-prone if wrong spec
- Cold bridging at junctions
- Air-tightness at penetrations
When to choose which
- Choose timber frame for: speed, thermal performance, off-site quality
- Choose brick and block for: acoustic, mass, low-maintenance external skin, conservative client expectations
MCFAR engineers both timber frame and traditional residential structures.
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Request a QuoteFrequently Asked Questions
Can timber frame have a brick external skin?
Yes — most South African timber frame homes have brick or stone outer skins. The outer skin is non-structural; the timber frame carries the loads.
Does timber frame need a separate breather membrane?
Yes — a breathable wind/water barrier on the outside of the sheathing is essential.