Non standard construction houses: Key consideration 2026

Not all the houses are equally constructed. If you are living in a non standard construction house, then you have to think about improving your home. Non standard construction houses are not constructed with the strongest materials and bricks, and also don’t have a tile roof.

Non constructed houses are more expensive and complex to maintain, so the risk of deterioration is higher for these kinds of properties. Most of the traditional mainstream companies avoid getting involved because these kinds of houses are not properly constructed and having risk.

Understanding the construction type of your home is the first step towards improving its performance, which is why a professional home energy and retrofit assessment from S6Energy can help identify the most effective and suitable solutions.

What are non standard construction houses?

The builders constructs non standard construction properties with non standard material because they do not use bricks and stone for the strong foundation, and the tiles for the roof are also not made up of good material.

For instance, Experts and builders construct homes with stones, but do not use strong roof tiles; they are made up of shingles. These properties have an outside brick wall, but tile roofs are not used. A timber frame is used to shape the home’s roof so that these timber materials are not good and standardised. If your home looks standard from the outside, it doesn’t mean that it is actually. You have to assess your home properly before you buy it.

Check out the previous records from the council building control if there are any issues with the construction.

What are Non standard construction houses

Types of non standard construction houses UK

Multiple non standard construction houses currently exist in the UK. Therefore, the Establishment authorities identify houses that were built in the 90s as up to 500 in number. Here are some types of non standard constructions

Steel frame construction

Steel frames commonly face corrosion, and due to this, hidden structures also face corrosion. And this causes structural issues. Commonly, British iron and steel foundations are used to build houses.

Timber frame structure

These timber-framed houses are built of stone or bricks. These houses have the potential and are the most energy efficient. But for this structure, the risk of fire catching is so high.

Precast concrete construction

The concrete houses are good, especially for people who want the Airey houses. Builders and engineers constructed these kinds of houses in world war 2 and used them as storage. But the cost of repairing is so high for them.

Cob structure

Builders do construction with subsoil and straw, including clay material, and its lifespan is for centuries. For maintaining these houses, experts are required to use techniques to maintain them, and a high cost is required.

Historic and heritage property

The properties that are older are made up of uncommon materials like wattle and thatch roofing, including daub.

Difference between defective and non standard construction

So many non-standard construction homes exist in the UK. The establishment building research was surveyed in 1980, and the outcome was that some of the houses were suffering from structural change issues, which were made by the PRC licensed engineers. Therefore, the defective forms were designed by the 1984 defect legislation, and the requirements were changed according to the safety measures. Furthermore, the homeowners will need to keep the PRC certificate, which proves that the crucial structure changes or these are also built by PRC engineers.

There is a list according to brief research, and that is about defective homes by the Secretary of State, according to the 1985 Housing Act. The defective property types are: 

• Airey
• Cornish unit 
• Myton
• Tartan
• Wessex

Is it possible to convert a non standard construction to a standard one?

Yes, the owner can convert a non-standard building into a standard construction, but it depends on the area which is deemed and non standard. Some scenarios are focused on the designated place in a house, and it also depends on how much construction is required to make it standard.

Scenario 1 

 If a property originally built with brick and stones wall with a shingle roof, it totally depended on the owner whether he wanted to change the shingles to a slate roof to make a home standard constructed building.

Scenario 2

 If a property is made up of a steel framed, then experts can not make it standard construction by changing foundation materials. Because stealing conversion is not possible.

If a property is defectively constructed, then it can not be converted into standard homes because of the building’s structure. Obtaining a PRC certificate is the only way to proceed.

Non standard constructed houses

Difference between standard and non standard construction

The actual difference between Standard and non standard construction houses is the material used to build a property.

A standard building uses brick and stone for a strong foundation, and a slate tile roof. But if there is a little difference in constructing a property, then it will be considered non standard.

Therefore, converting a non standard property into standard construction is not always possible. It depends on the material that is used to construct a home. If conversion is possible, then the non-standard materials can be replaced with zero effect of structure.

But on the other hand, if it is not possible to make them standard, then it remains non standard.

Key considerations to buy a non standard construction home

For buying a non standard construction house, some extra considerations are required.

Financing

Normally, non standard constructions require extra attention on finance, but it is not possible to lead without savings or having a loan because this construction requires maintenance.

Maintenance

Non standard houses require special maintenance, such as those made up with steel frames. They can face corrosion. And if they are made up of timber, they can have rot, and concrete can face spalling. So, the maintenance needs more special attention.

Reselling value

If you want to sell a non-standard home, then it also depends on how long you hold the property and what your actual requirement is. Therefore, the maintenance counts as well.

If the home is a unique, historic, and well-designed but non-standard home, then it can only attract niche buyers.

How can I inspect my building for non standard construction?

There are some simple ways to avoid specific risks. With which you can focus on material: 

• Timber: check whether your timber structure has rot or termites signs. A weak structure of timber can also affect the overall property.
• Concrete: check out cracks on walls, spal, and other damages around the corner.
• Steel: assess the moisture in your home and check whether this structure is rusted and in good condition.
• Historic homes: check for heritage preservation requirements because they can affect modification and further repairs.

Non standard construction home

Conclusion

Non standard construction houses are charming, unique, and historic, including an eco-friendly environment. However, they require different maintenance and repairs. The buyers should be ready for structured or other maintenance options to make the home standard. Furthermore, there are multiple options that you have to consider to make your properties standard with the help of expert guidelines from S6Energy.

With non standard construction houses, you can face multiple challenges compared to other modular homes. If you are thinking of buying this kind of home, then be confident to assess the property with the help of an expert, or a self-assessment can also help you to survey and check the home buyers report. 

Which is enough to recommend whether it is good to buy the house or not. If the  PRC-certified expert constructs the home, then check the certificate and confidently interact with the owner, because it is good to know about the background.

FAQs

What is non standard construction houses? 

Builders donot built house with traditional materials such as bricks, stones, and tile roofs. Therefore, they are constructed with concrete panels, timber frames, and steel frames. Different non standard houses have been built since World War II due to housing shortages.

How to know the house is having non standard construction?

There is a simple identification which shows the construction is non standard because their look signs are:

• Exterior walls are built with concrete, metal material and panels
• Unusual roof structure like flat roofs.
• Medular design

Is it worth buying a non-standard construction house?

Yes, it can be worth it, but there are some conditions, including dependency on a particular condition, and what are your plans? They require a low price to sell and easily attract buyers with their looks and budget. However, some challenges of maintenance can cause difficulties in reselling it. You have to inspect the home before buying.

Are non standard construction houses safe? 

Yes, these construction houses are possible to be safe if they are well-maintained and inspected. However, some of the older types may face serious challenges in structure and materials, and other insulation issues. If the construction method is according to the engineers, then it can be safe, but it also requires maintenance.

Which kind of maintenance is required for non standard houses?

It is based on the materials, the type of structure, and how they are built. If the structure is based on a 

1) timber frame, then they often require inspection to address the pest and the treatment.

2)for steel framed then anti rust treatment is required with assessment.

3) For concrete and panels, you have to check for cracks, which show that there is a structural weakness that requires quick maintenance to improve the resale value and lifespan of the building.