There is a myth that timber composite construction is not suitable for cyclonic areas. This is far from true as ALL homes must comply with the Building Codes and be engineered to suit the specific area that the building is situated in. With a timber frame home, such as this one currently underway in Palm Cove, the roof is securely tied down to the walls, which in turn are tied down to the floor. Timber stud spacings, rod tie downs, bracing plywood and additional studs around openings all contribute to the structural integrity along with how many fixings you have holding everything together! Internal walls abutting the external walls also affect overall stability. Then you also factor in your cladding and lining materials. So, speaking as a building surveyor, would I build a timber frame home in the tropics? Absolutely!
Posted on: Tue, 11 Nov 2014 22:30:44 +0000