A carpenter called Halldór Jónsson was the first inhabitant of Ísafjörður to erect a dwelling outside the merchants' commercial plots. It is probable that he learned his carpentry in Denmark. In 1831 Halldór received a ruling from the head of the local council that he was authorised to make his home and practise his profession in the Municipality of Ísafjörður. He built his house at Norðurtanginn. As the town expanded after 1860 the number of resident builders and carpenters increased. The timber buildings were initially simple constructions but with the passage of time they became larger, with attics and dormer windows. The years after 1880s saw the advent of corrugated iron, from Scotland, which proved immensely popular and after that time all buildings were protected with such cladding. Next came the pre-cut, stylish timber houses from Norway, called catalogue houses, which could be ordered from catalogues.  Finally Icelandic master builders took over with major constructions that still characterise the town, first in timber and then concrete.