LOCAL PROJECT
although Covid-19 provided several challenges during the initial hard lockdown , the company has been operating 24 / 7 from the start of level-five lockdown , being given essential services status .
“ There is definitely a trend to build timber homes , especially in the Eastern Cape , says Chizema . People are buying bigger pieces of land closer to the beach and selling their brick houses for between R1.5-million to R3-million . A new timber house can cost anything from R300 000 to R500 000 , which leaves them with enough money to invest in a prime spot with a view of the ocean ,” says Chisema . “ It seems that people have realised that timber is a good building material and at the same time , that it costs less and that it is quicker to construct than a brick and mortar home ,” he adds .
Chimu Construction recently built a timber house close to East London for a client who plans to move to the coast after retirement . “ He decided to build a timber house because of the environmental spin-offs , the cost benefits and the short timelines involved in constructing a timber house ,” says Chizema .
The house is 80m 2 with an open plan lounge , a dining room , a kitchen , two bedrooms and a bathroom with a shower , toilet and washing basin . The entire project was completed within seven days .
BUILDING A TIMBER HOME
Chimu Construction erected the timber shell , fitted the doors and windows , and did all the panelling on the inside of the house . Although this client decided to use different contractors for other functions like plumbing and electricity , it is something that Chimu Construction can include in their overall quote .
The first coat of wood treatment is applied after construction , six months later a second coat should be painted on and then the wood needs to be treated every two to three years .
Once the house is constructed , the outside is painted with a good exterior wood sealer ( Chimu Construction ’ s house in Pretoria , Gauteng ).
Windows are available in a range of sizes depending on the client ’ s preference , and can be standard timber windows , or standard plastic or aluminium framed windows , while owners can choose to fit either normal timber doors or standard sliding doors . Chizema ’ s client in the Eastern Cape had 1.2m x 1.2m aluminium windows fitted in the lounge and bedrooms and 1.2m x 900m aluminium windows in the kitchen . The exterior Maranti kitchen door is a great feature , while the 1.8m long sliding door between the lounge and the patio gives the living space a finished touch . The lounge leads to a 1.8m x 8.5m wooden deck .
The wooden floor is secured on treated timber poles with a gap of about 700mm between the house ’ s floor and the ground . The height of the floor will depend on the surface and topography and lie of the land . This house is perfect for two people , although you do get them in much bigger sizes , and you can even add a few storeys .
“ A timber house is something that has always appealed to me . Although there are a host of regulations and bureaucracy to deal with , and it becomes tedious and drawn-out , once the contractors are on site , the assembly is much quicker than constructing a traditional brick building ,” the client tells Timber iQ .
Obert Chizema , director of Chimu Construction .
Covid-19 has obviously slowed down the whole process , but at the end of the day one has to get the permits and plans approved
12 DECEMBER 2020 / JANUARY 2021 // www . timberiq . co . za