Discussion
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-12309755 They are only designed to last 60-80 years? This doesn't sound very good!
How does the likes of Cub http://www.cubhousingsolutions.com compare to the German and Swedish prefab manufacturers?
How does the likes of Cub http://www.cubhousingsolutions.com compare to the German and Swedish prefab manufacturers?
Edited by Andrew[MG] on Monday 31st January 12:33
Andrew[MG] said:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-12309755 They are only designed to last 60-80 years? This doesn't sound very good!
How does the likes of Cub http://www.cubhousingsolutions.com compare to the German and Swedish prefab manufacturers?
Should work now. How does the likes of Cub http://www.cubhousingsolutions.com compare to the German and Swedish prefab manufacturers?
Edited by Andrew[MG] on Monday 31st January 12:33
Toilet Duck said:
Daaaveee said:
we design industrial buildings with a 55 year design life as standard.
Out of curiosity, what happens after 55 years i.e. what things go "wrong?" I'm guessing that most of the people involved in designing/building it will have retired or died by then.Design life is just a minimum designated time period by which the structure must 'perform' as designed for all the given natural and predictable occurances.
It doesn't mean at 55 years and 1 day the structure will fall down or needs pulling down etc.
thinfourth2 said:
60 to 80 years
Probably a longer design life then the new build crap being thrown up everywhere
Absolutely correct. I read an article in Building a while back that stated that punters expectation on design life of a house is 200-400 years, lenders expectations at 100-200 years and the large developers being 25-50 years.Probably a longer design life then the new build crap being thrown up everywhere
Utterly scary!! The new build stuff is indeed utter unmittigated crap in every single respect.
Mermaid said:
The Laing homes of the 50's, 60's were great.
I dont know whether or not to take that at face value? My gran's 50's built council house was excelent in most respects. On the other hand, the prefabs built accross the road were ugly and horrible houses that were pulled down.
Prefab is probably the future though...
IanMorewood said:
25-50 years? I could build a house that would stand up longer than that.
Indeed you probably could but it isnt just about it standing up. Design life is about the minimum time before major rennovation or repair is needed.For instance, the rented house I live in at the moment is probably only 10-15 years old and has been so cheaply built that it would need substantial rennovation to get it up to scratch already.
Muncher said:
I know most newbuilds I visit "feel" pretty flimsy, but which particular elements of their construction lead to a short shelf life?
Windows/Window hardware/furnitureDoors as above
Cheap stud partitions that warp/creep over time
Same as above for floors - creaky floor
Bathroom fixtures and fittings
Electrical fixtures and fittings (light switches/plug sockets etc)
Kitchen same as above (cheap oven lasts 5 years aga lasts 100)
Boiler and heating system (radiators can rust and the various valves can fail giving that dodgey plumbing feel -bang bang bang) boilers breakdown after 5 year guarantee and need a whole new one cost part not available etc.
Facias and bargeboards to roof - upvc has 25 year life and goes dirty and cant be mended. If cheap wood will rot if painted with cheap paint and incorrect proceedure will need to be done again soon or will rot.
Concrete roof tiles crack due to frost damage (especially if pitch of roof too low) etc etc.
Poor detailing leads to cold bridges and interstitial condensation damaging finishes such as plaster.
Cheap bricks deteriorate due to frost damage.
Incorrect use of washing up liquid rather than plastisizer hastens water ingress into mortar leading to cracking.
Could go on all day - List is endless....
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