Timber frame is showing a rapid growth in popularity due to its many benefits over brick and block construction.
Timber frame offers a genuinely sustainable method of construction.
Unlike tropical forests, Nordic and Scottish softwood forests are growing in size, despite the increase in timber frame demand.
Growing trees absorb carbon dioxide, the main ‘greenhouse’ gas and timber processing residues are largely re-used for other products, meaning little waste.
In addition to the environmental benefits of timber as a construction material, the high thermal insulation means that living in a timber framed house also minimises the effects of burning fossil fuels and the ‘Greenhouse effect’.
Lightweight construction requires less expensive foundations for a given building volume and enables larger buildings to be constructed on sites with poor ground conditions, eg brownfield sites
Rapid completion of structural or weatherproof shell enables the internal fit-out to begin earlier, with less dependence on weather conditions. Site planning is therefore more predictable. A typical house can be made weathertight in less than 5 days.
Removes brickwork from the ‘critical path’
Factory prefabrication removes bricklaying from the critical path, meaning other trades can begin work on the building before the masonry is completed.
Reduced drying-out time for wet trades means internal finishing can be completed sooner with less risk of shrinkage cracks and subsequent expensive callbacks.
CAD/CAM technology ensures factory quality is consistent and accurate. Each unit is an engineered solution and depends less on site skills, which provides finished homes with fewer defects and much improved consistency across the site.
Economic use of materials
Because all of the structural materials for a timber framed building are factory prepared and quantified there is much less need for excess material on site. This reduces waste, loss by theft and allows a tidier, safer site.
The inherent dimensional accuracy means that walls are vertical and flat and rooms are square, making decorating and the installation of carpets and fitted furniture less demanding and improving the quality of the finished home
Less site handling of materials
Buildings are delivered to site in kit form, with components labelled for each building. This enables materials to be unloaded and stored in the correct order for erection, optimising use of site plant and minimising additional handling that wastes time, money and increases site damage
The flexibility of timber frame not only means that individual homes can be tailored to their owners’ needs when new, but also allows interior layouts to be readily adapted as family priorities change
Extensions and adaptations can easily be added when required.
