Updated 2024, by Andrew Mackintosh. What’s important to you as a home owner? You may be surprised to find out there are more differences between timber and brick houses than you first thought!
Brick Houses Or Timber Houses: Which One Is Best?
Your intentions for the property, as well as your lifestyle choices and preferences, will ultimately determine which is the better choice for your situation. However, there are some considerations to be made when it comes to what you MIGHT be getting yourself in for.
How much truth to the old adage, “Live in timber, invest in brick”?
Ask anyone for their opinion (and if you’re buying a house – you’ll get it!) and you’re going to get mixed reactions on the question of timber or brick houses. Everyone’s response will come from their own preferences and experience, which leaves you, the prospective purchaser, at a bit of a loss.
So which is better? Timber houses or brick houses?
The little house on the hill
You’ve driven past it millions of times – dreaming about what it looks like inside. It goes up for sale and you walk through the open house, your heart in your mouth, imagining the possibilities. In your desperation to secure the deal you rush through pre-purchase inspections to get your name on that line and those keys in your hand.
The door closes behind you as you bring in your last box from the truck. You sit down on the couch, breathe a sigh of relief and look around. You REALLY look around. Properly. For the first time.
Little bumps and niggles start to betray themselves and you’re left thinking… In your rush to secure what you thought was the deal of a lifetime, have you gotten more than you bargained for?
Buying a home is a very personal experience. You’re pouring your hopes and dreams into a block of land. You might be looking for somewhere to raise a family, renovate or to build your investment portfolio.
Whether it’s timber or brick, a pre-purchase inspection is going to make all the difference when it comes to signing on that dotted line. Avoid getting ahead of yourself and get the professionals in the door to check what might just be lying underneath the floorboards!
Ever wondered what hidden horrors building inspectors come up against? Be warned before following this link – you may never look at some timber or brick houses the same way!
Pros of Timber Houses
Timber houses are generally more desirable so make an excellent investment in terms of capital gains. In Queensland especially, timber homes, from Post War Workers Cottages to grand Queenslanders are always highly sought after. Timber homes can be raised and moved, and they are also begging for beautiful verandahs and patios to enhance your lifestyle. Timber homes may be cheaper than brick depending on the area and architectural design. This is becoming less true than it once was – with fewer timber homes around these days, they’re becoming somewhat of a collector’s item.
Pros of Brick Houses
- Brick is tough and requires very little maintenance
- Brick is not susceptible to pest infestation (at least, not in the outer walls)
- Brick is more weather and fire-resistant
- Brick is cheaper to heat and cool
What can go wrong in timber houses?
This may sound fairly obvious but so many first home owners have thought, “It’ll never happen to me!”. Their houses have then, quite literally, fallen down around them.
We’re talking, of course, about termites and other pests. These conniving critters are far more likely to be found within the walls and floorboards of that beautiful timber home you’ve had your eye on. However, they are still capable of causing damage within a brick-based structure. If the termites have gone untreated and undetected you’re looking at severe structural damage to a home and your ‘perfect home’ dream being over before it began.
Timber houses are, by nature of their materials, sometimes more likely to present fire hazards. This means a thorough checking of any electrical wiring, the identification and removal of potentially catastrophic flammable situations and careful consideration of the surrounding area. A pre-purchase inspection will also identify if the timber has been appropriately treated with weather-resistant retardant.
The presence of mould and other dangerous carcinogens is also amplified in timber houses, as there is just more opportunity for mould to breed, breathe and grow. Water damage may have occurred at some point in the property’s history and have been merely painted over – undetectable without an appropriate pre-purchase property inspection.
There are many positive aspects to owning and living in a timber home; they’re quite timeless in design (particularly in Queensland) and can offer effective cooling solutions that won’t impact energy bills. Timber homes have a pleasing aesthetic quality that will only increase in value over time so can be a savvy investment if appropriate checks have been made.
What can go wrong in brick homes?
Don’t be fooled by the sturdy look of brick houses. Quite often there can be a wealth of issues hiding behind those thick brick frontages that only a building and pest inspection will be able to identify.
Pests are still an issue in brick houses. Wooden floors, wooden stud frames and window frames can hide termites. There are a million and one places for nefarious insects to build their nests. Rodents, too, may appreciate the solid structure and create a den in any nooks and crannies.
Structural concerns such as concrete cancer, hidden asbestos, plumbing issues and electrical stability are significant concerns in brick houses. Depending on the age of the structure, the original materials used and the professionalism applied in the first build, you could be unknowingly dealing with the little house from hell.
The presence of mould, hidden water damage and issues with draughts, heating and cooling could lurk in your brick home without you being aware of them until it’s too late.
See Also: Weatherboard Homes, Queenslander Homes, Cracks in Walls, Cracks in VJ Walls, Load Bearing Walls, Brick Veneer, Weep Holes, Efflorescence
Timber or brick houses require the same due diligence
The checks and balance that Action Property Inspection put in place are designed to provide you with peace of mind and a sense of stability.
Regardless of the kind of structure you’re interested in, it’s vital to protect your investment, your family and your future by ensuring you know what you’re dealing with.
Choosing a timber home because it looks charming, or being interested in brick houses because they look safe, could ultimately end up costing you a lot more in the long run. An appropriate pre-purchase inspection may be an upfront expense but it’s one that’s designed to save you in the future. You deserve a quality inspection that looks for absolutely everything – not the casual walk-through that some companies think they can get away with. Read more about our approach to building inspections and what our customers have to say!