Overview
The Solid Cedar house is a non-traditional system-built property developed in the late 1930s. Designed by R G Tarran and manufactured by Solid Cedar Homes Ltd, these houses were constructed between 1938 and 1940. With approximately 600 units built, they remain a relatively rare housing type within the UK.
Typical characteristics & construction
Solid Cedar houses are typically two-storey semi-detached properties. Roofs are medium pitch and hipped, covered with plain tiles. Some examples incorporate a square bay window at first-floor level to the front elevation, together with a flat canopy over the entrance door.
External walls are finished with horizontal cedar boarding up to first-floor sill level, with vertical cedar boarding and cover strips above. Internally, walls are generally lined with plasterboard fixed to timber battens.
| Element | Typical construction | Inspection focus |
|---|---|---|
| Substructure | Concrete strip footings with vented masonry underbuilding and DPC | Ventilation, damp-proof course condition, moisture risk |
| External walls | Solid T&G timber panels with building paper and cedar cladding | Timber decay, moisture ingress, cladding condition |
| Separating wall | 8-inch block wall lined with plasterboard on timber battens | Cracking, soundness, lining condition |
| Floors | T&G boarding on timber joists | Decay, movement, ventilation |
| Roof | Timber rafters, sarking, bituminous felt and plain tiles | Tile condition, felt deterioration, structural distortion |
Potential hazards & inspection priorities
The principal risks associated with Solid Cedar houses relate to timber durability. Localised decay can affect external cladding, ground floor joists, and solid timber wall panels, particularly where moisture control and ventilation are inadequate.
Defects to the damp-proof course, rainwater disposal, or roof coverings can allow moisture ingress, accelerating deterioration of timber elements and internal finishes.
Is this house right for you?
A Solid Cedar house may be suitable for purchasers who understand non-traditional timber construction and are prepared to assess condition on a case-by-case basis.
- Commission a full building survey
- Review evidence of timber treatment and repairs
- Consider ongoing maintenance requirements
Mortgage & resale considerations
Mortgage and resale considerations for Solid Cedar houses depend on construction type, overall condition, and the quality of professional inspection and reporting. Lender acceptance criteria may vary.
Clear documentation, evidence of maintenance, and the absence of significant unresolved defects are commonly influential factors.
What a survey can — and cannot — tell you
A building survey provides an informed assessment of the visible condition and construction of a Solid Cedar house. Inspections are non-intrusive and limited to areas that are accessible at the time of inspection.
- Identify visible decay or deterioration to the cedar cladding
- Assess signs of moisture ingress, including defects to the damp-proof course and rainwater disposal
- Comment on the plain tile roof covering and any signs of structural distortion
- Review ventilation to the underbuilding and the condition of accessible floors
- Highlight defects that may require repair, monitoring, or further investigation
However, there are limitations to what a survey can determine without intrusive investigation.
- Confirm the condition of solid timber wall panels concealed behind cladding and linings
- Assess the condition of ground floor joists where these are not accessible
- Determine the extent of deterioration to the bituminous felt beneath the roof tiles
- Inspect areas that are inaccessible or covered at the time of inspection
Where higher-risk indicators are identified, further specialist or intrusive investigation may be recommended.
