1940's

The UK has a stock of around one million non-traditional (also known as prefabricated or system built) dwellings, built between the end of the First World War and the early 1980s.

The Building Research Establishment (BRE) have produced a very detailed manual on these particular types of construction, however, this level of detail is not required for DEA’s.

System built methods have incorporated varying techniques of construction with concrete, timber and steel. There have been literally hundreds of different types. Some examples include: Concrete walls with no-fine aggregate, Steel frame and Concrete post and panels.

Author: H Harrison, S Mullin, B Reeves & A Stevens.

Title: Non-traditional houses. ISBN 1 86081 697 5

There is a wealth of information and advice from the leading experts is brought together in this comprehensive and highly illustrated reference on non-traditional houses. Presented with exceptional clarity, the book provides the building surveyor, engineer and architect with a unique practical resource.

It details 450 house types classified by a form of construction: metal framed, precast concrete, in situ concrete and timber framed. For each house type and there is an isometric drawing that provides a clear explanation of the construction detail. This book is well worth a read but don't be surprised when I tell you that the last time I checked the retail price was £270.

It was not until just after WW1 that the replacement and renewal of housing became a big issue. There was a shortage of skilled labour and materials hence pre-fabrication was developed seriously and significantly. WW2 brought an even greater demand for rapid construction and replacement for damaged housing.

Whilst age, wear, lack of maintenance and misuse took their toll many systems proved were quite pleasant and still remain so. In general, most non-traditional housing systems have performed well from a structural point of view. However, of course, there are exceptions. To this day some 450 different types of non-traditional homes have been constructed.

Some system built properties have been well constructed and cleverly disguised to look like traditional construction. It is sometimes very difficult to identify a particular property as a system build, the loft space is a very good source of information. Often steel lattice girders can be seen to create the roof structure or steel ties bars for restraint or even concrete gable walls.