Elizabethan houses were timber framed and many of them are still around today standing after more than 400 years of construction. No doubt the timber frame will have been attacked by both by woodworm and deathwatch beetle, some wet rot but, hey that's an Elizabethan house for you. Walls will be wonky; floors will be out of kilter and doors out of alignment but you would expect nothing less in house of that age. Today I have been to see a timber framed house that was being built. Whether or not it will last for another 400 years is anybody's guess but, it will be built with pre-treated timbers, so that should reduce the effects of woodworm, deathwatch beetle and some wet rot. The groundfloor is of solid construction a re-inforced 'raft' and is taken of piled foundations, so that should keep the walls straight, whilst the first floor is of tongue and grooved chipboard decking securely nailed to timber joists. The timber joists will be built into the timber frame its self secured into the concrete base on top of the piled foundations so that will hopefully keep the floors and doors all in good alignment. Being built 400 or so years later, insulation of the house should be excellent. Although it is in course of construction, to date I found it largely in good condition and hopefully it will be finished in a similar style. That being the case then hopefully it will still be standing in 400 years time, but I very much doubt I'll be here to see it, shame really…   more »