FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is the building completely made of timber?
Like all buildings DeHavilland is made of lots of different materials, however timber makes up the majority of the materials including the largest structural component.
See our technical section for more information.
Are timber apartments more likely to burn?
No. DeHavilland has a built-in fire suppression system, this means it is safer than many traditional apartments.
In addition, timber burns in a predictable way in comparison to the effects of heat on steel or concrete structures making them safer for evacuation and firefighting.
How good is the sound proofing in my apartment?
DeHavilland apartments meet all the acoustic standards required of a Class 2 multi residential building, and in many cases, exceed it.
Class 2 multi residential buildings must meet higher acoustic standards than Class 1 houses. So DeHavilland will have a higher grade of acoustic performance than the timber houses you may may have seen before.
See our technical section for more information.
How good is the insulation of my apartment?
Timber is a great insulator, it is much more resistant to conducting heat from outer walls to the inside unlike many traditional apartment developments that utilise steel framing for external walls. Combining the timber framing with the high grade insulation and the additional layers that make up our walls and floors the end result is a better acoustic and thermal performance than traditional structures.
You may have heard that traditional materials have ‘thermal mass’ benefits. The mass of the material absorbs heat in the day and releases it when it is cooler. This works well, depending on the time of year, in the height of summer thermal mass continues to release heat into buildings even when it is unwanted and vice versa in winter with cold. The result is extra heating and cooling costs.
Timber performs consistently well all year round. See our technical section for more information.
Will termites eat the building?
No. DeHavilland has both a termite treatment system to Australian Standards for the ground floor to prevent termite pests entering the building and in addition to this all timber products are treated to prevent termite attack.
Will timber move more than brick and concrete?
No. the building has been engineered to prevent any cracking or movement beyond the normal behaviour of structures. Furthermore, timber has a flexibility that makes it resist major movement unlike traditional materials that are more brittle.
What's the difference between timber framing/mass timber/cross laminated timber etc?
DeHavilland is timber framed. This means that the walls and floors are made up regularly spaced timber columns that form a framework. Mass timber is similar to cross laminated timber in that it is made up of continuous timber structures.
There are pros and cons to both however typically in a building of this height timber framing is used. Mass timber is used on taller buildings or buildings with specific structural requirements.
Will my timber building last as long as a brick or concrete building?
Some of the worlds oldest buildings are timber. Did you know that worlds oldest timber structure is said to be the Horyuji Temple in Japan? It is said to be 1300 years old! In its lifetime it has resisted all the elements have thrown at it even in one of the most seismically active parts of the world.
The lifespan of all buildings is determined by their maintenance as much as by the design. The Strata Manager working on behalf of the Council of Owners will ensure regular maintenance of the building into the future.
They say timber is environmentally friendly, but you still have to cut down trees right?
Timber is far more environmentally friendly than traditional materials. Instead of releasing carbon in the manufacturing process timber traps and stores carbon. Sure, not all of DeHavilland is made of timber but the vast majority is, the net effect is carbon positive.
We only use timber that has been harvested from sustainably managed forestry. All our timber products are certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and are sourced here in Western Australia. our engineered timber products such as LVL’s and floor joists are from Wesbeam here in WA manufactured to the highest standards.
How does the solar system relate to my apartment?
The building has a communal solar system that is connected back into the apartments via a two way meter system. The net result is an estimated 18% saving on your power bills!
See our technical section for more information.
Car stackers - what's the set up?
Each parking bay has an independent car stacker. That means the stacker unit is not shared and is instead owned by you. This helps to keep the strata fees down and its yours to do with as you wish – upgrade/sell, its up to you.
Each stacker is provided with its own power supply that can be isolated and this is wired back to your own apartment supply.
Can I have an electric car?
Yes. Because we have a power supply to each parking bay for the car stackers you can fit our own electric car charging point.
You will have to get the power delivery point that suits your car and have it installed but the hard part is done for you in the form of the main power feed.
Who manages the building and common areas?
The Strata Manager under the Council of Owners is responsible for the building management. They will handle the cleaning of the common areas, gardening, lift maintenance, building insurance etc. the Strata Budget is funded by the Strata Fees which are billed to you quarterly. They will also administer the Strata Bylaws to make sure all the residents get along.
DeHavilland has lower than average strata fees for similar properties in the area. Speak to our sales team for more information.
What are the Strata By-laws?
Strata Bylaws are a set of rules that owners, tenants and in some cases visitors must follow. The DeHavilland bylaws have been tailored to suit the building and ensure that residents can get along and the building is looked after.