ᐅ Installing additional electrical outlets in a timber frame house after construction
Created on: 29 Apr 2011 15:17
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BonagelHello everyone,
I am currently deciding whether to build with traditional masonry or timber frame construction. I have already read a lot about the advantages, disadvantages, and differences between the two methods (in the end, it probably comes down to personal preference...), but one question has not been satisfactorily answered by the good old internet:
If it turns out after construction that I forgot to install an electrical outlet (or satellite connection, etc.) in one spot – and sooner or later, I think everyone faces the problem that exactly where you need an outlet, there isn’t one – how can I install an outlet afterwards in a timber frame house? With traditional masonry, I understand: the wall is chased, the box installed, conduit laid, plastered, and painted – and if done properly, it won’t be noticeable afterwards. But what do I need to do with a timber frame wall? Remove the wall panels? Drill a hole? What about the vapor barrier?
I am currently deciding whether to build with traditional masonry or timber frame construction. I have already read a lot about the advantages, disadvantages, and differences between the two methods (in the end, it probably comes down to personal preference...), but one question has not been satisfactorily answered by the good old internet:
If it turns out after construction that I forgot to install an electrical outlet (or satellite connection, etc.) in one spot – and sooner or later, I think everyone faces the problem that exactly where you need an outlet, there isn’t one – how can I install an outlet afterwards in a timber frame house? With traditional masonry, I understand: the wall is chased, the box installed, conduit laid, plastered, and painted – and if done properly, it won’t be noticeable afterwards. But what do I need to do with a timber frame wall? Remove the wall panels? Drill a hole? What about the vapor barrier?
Hello,
The wooden stud frame is designed so that an installation layer is placed on the inside of the exterior wall, usually 60mm (2.4 inches) thick, where heating, plumbing, and electrical installations are housed. The airtight layer (vapor barrier or vapor retarder) is located behind this and therefore is not damaged. Even when installing an electrical outlet afterward.
So you can remove, reinstall, or drill into your wall cladding as much as you want. The main thing is that you properly fill and finish the construction afterward.
Best regards
The wooden stud frame is designed so that an installation layer is placed on the inside of the exterior wall, usually 60mm (2.4 inches) thick, where heating, plumbing, and electrical installations are housed. The airtight layer (vapor barrier or vapor retarder) is located behind this and therefore is not damaged. Even when installing an electrical outlet afterward.
So you can remove, reinstall, or drill into your wall cladding as much as you want. The main thing is that you properly fill and finish the construction afterward.
Best regards
M
markus12073 May 2011 22:01hello bonagel,
that should absolutely not be a problem with a timber frame: for our house, we simply had tension wires installed in EVERY cavity, running from floor to ceiling behind the wall. it didn’t cost anything extra and was done without any issues. you don’t even need to dismantle the wall, so in theory, you can do the electrical planning even after the house is built.
best regards!
that should absolutely not be a problem with a timber frame: for our house, we simply had tension wires installed in EVERY cavity, running from floor to ceiling behind the wall. it didn’t cost anything extra and was done without any issues. you don’t even need to dismantle the wall, so in theory, you can do the electrical planning even after the house is built.
best regards!
Thank you first of all for the answers.
What exactly are tension wires? Are they something like a placeholder wire that allows me to pull new wiring through the wall (but why are they installed from the floor to the ceiling then)?
Basically, with a prefab house or timber frame house, it’s the same as with a solid construction house: conduit pipes are installed within the wall, and the wiring is pulled through these conduits later on. Or is the wiring in a prefab house actually left “loose” inside the wall?
What exactly are tension wires? Are they something like a placeholder wire that allows me to pull new wiring through the wall (but why are they installed from the floor to the ceiling then)?
Basically, with a prefab house or timber frame house, it’s the same as with a solid construction house: conduit pipes are installed within the wall, and the wiring is pulled through these conduits later on. Or is the wiring in a prefab house actually left “loose” inside the wall?
Hello,
It depends on how "finished" your house really is. I’m not an expert on prefabricated homes, but the wall panels are probably installed without an installation cavity. That means they are assembled on site or not at all. This could be problematic because you then have the issue of the airtightness layer right behind your cladding, which must not be damaged. As a result, adding outlets afterwards can become a risky task.
My advice: build exterior walls with solid construction or include an installation cavity.
Best regards
Bonagel schrieb:
In principle, with a prefabricated house or timber frame house, it’s the same as with a solid construction house: conduit pipes are installed inside the walls, and later the wiring is pulled through them? Or is the wiring in a prefabricated house left "exposed" inside the wall?
It depends on how "finished" your house really is. I’m not an expert on prefabricated homes, but the wall panels are probably installed without an installation cavity. That means they are assembled on site or not at all. This could be problematic because you then have the issue of the airtightness layer right behind your cladding, which must not be damaged. As a result, adding outlets afterwards can become a risky task.
My advice: build exterior walls with solid construction or include an installation cavity.
Best regards
M
markus12076 May 2011 21:24Hello,
You don’t need conduit, but you can also pull it alongside the wires. The typical wall structure for a prefabricated house looks like this (from outside to inside): plaster – thermal insulation – wooden board – beams with insulation – vapor barrier – wooden board – drywall. The wires are located between the vapor barrier and the inner wooden board. When you drill a hole for an outlet, you only go through the drywall and the board behind it. Ideally, the vapor barrier remains undamaged. You then tie your cable (or conduit) to the wire at the bottom and pull it up to the drilled hole. If the vapor barrier does get damaged by accident, note that only weatherproof “windproof boxes” are used outdoors (available at electrical suppliers).
Regards,
markus1207
You don’t need conduit, but you can also pull it alongside the wires. The typical wall structure for a prefabricated house looks like this (from outside to inside): plaster – thermal insulation – wooden board – beams with insulation – vapor barrier – wooden board – drywall. The wires are located between the vapor barrier and the inner wooden board. When you drill a hole for an outlet, you only go through the drywall and the board behind it. Ideally, the vapor barrier remains undamaged. You then tie your cable (or conduit) to the wire at the bottom and pull it up to the drilled hole. If the vapor barrier does get damaged by accident, note that only weatherproof “windproof boxes” are used outdoors (available at electrical suppliers).
Regards,
markus1207
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