Advantages of Timber Frame Housing

1) Speed of construction

2) Value for money, comparable to block work construction.

3) Thermal insulation and subsequent energy savings, with lower fuel bill.

4) Reduction in noise levels

5) Engineering technology for structural design

6) Moisture control and reduced condensation levels

7) Certified computer check on exterior panels for condensation levels

8) Choice of external appearance

9) Flexibility of internal room sizes

10) Durability of product

11) All timbers are kiln dries, stress grades and treated

12) Timber is used from managed forests of the world and is a sustainable source

13) Easy to extend or convert

14) Single, double and three storey dwellings can be manufactured

15) Fully mortgagable and insurable

16) A dry construction method, no drying out time required or remedial snagging from shrinkage.

FIRE PERFORMANCE

Timber frame must meet all Building Regulations fire safety standards-modern timber frame in fact exceed these. Buildings Research Establishment (BRE) fire safety research concluded “Timber Frame performs as well as other construction in fire and life safety is at no greater risk”.

SOUND TRANSMISSION

The sound insulation of timber party walls is outstanding. In acoustics study BRS stated that “if all dwellings had sound insulation as good as that measured in party walls of Timber Frame dwellings, the problems of noise from neighbours would be greatly reduced”. Timer party floors also exceed Building Regulations Standards, performing as well as, if not better than other construction methods.

Environmentally friendly timber treatments which are water based are used and all wall timbers are preservative treated, which is locked in to the timber giving no emissions.

Timber Frame can last as long as any other building form. There are Norwegian Churches over 100 years old and buildings in the UK over 200 years old – both using the same soft wood types employed today. This effectively demonstrates the durability and longevity of “Timber Frame”.

There are no height restrictions of Timber Frame in England or Wales, but in Scotland fire regulations limit the buildings to five storeys.

All components are factory manufactured and lend themselves to strict quality control.

Timber Frame is highly design flexible and able to accept any standard cladding, providing everything from churches, sports halls, and nursing homes to one-off houses and bungalows.