Benefits of Building with Timber Frames

For some reason, brick and block is still the default thought when most people imagine housebuilding. Timber frames tend to be regarded as a modern method, when in fact they were the staple for many homes throughout British history; brick and block is actually the newcomer to the industry.

There are plenty of timber-framed homes from times long past that are still standing; most Tudor-looking buildings with exposed beams were built using timber frames. The Shambles in York, which have been around since the 1300s, are proof alone of the longevity of this build method.

In fact, in response to the UK’s current housing shortage, the government has identified timber frames as a viable solution to help meet new build targets.

Timber frames are an extremely quick build system, taking a fraction of the time that other traditional build methods require for erection. Unlike bricks, timber frames do not require drying time, nor are they affected by adverse weather, both of which further speed up the build process. This all means that they run on a much more predictable construction schedule. Reaching the weathertight stage quickly will allow other trades, like plumbers and electricians, to begin their work on the interiors. This presents housebuilders with the opportunity to increase turnover due to the faster build programme. We now offer a Weathertight Package with this increased efficiency in mind. 

The nature of timber frames being measured and manufactured in controlled factory conditions means inaccuracies or inconsistencies are greatly reduced. Less time spent onsite means less labour fees and also less health and safety concerns.

Wood is a natural insulator, so walls of timber-frame houses tend to perform better thermally whilst being slimmer than those of brick and block, which have to include extra insulation to make up for the thermal inefficiency of bricks. This means significantly lower energy bills and added floor space for your clients, perks no one would want to refuse lightly. As an insulator, timber is also adept at reducing echoing and sound loss, achieving high levels of acoustic performance.

In today’s climate of depleting resources, it is essential to be environmentally conscious when sourcing materials. Most timber is taken from sustainable forest, but it’s important to check the ethics of your supplier. Making sure that they are recognised by one of the main certifying bodies, like the FSC or PEFC, will mean you know that your timber originates from a sustainable source.
 
Timber has the lowest CO₂ cost of any commercially available material. Compared to an equivalently sized masonry house, a timber-frame structure will save around 4 tonnes of CO₂. This is because wood is a carbon store, meaning the timber homes you build will retain CO₂. The push for green construction is only on the rise, with an increasing amount of people wanting ‘eco-friendly homes’. Timber frames give developers the ability to offer a greener living option with much less expense and modification than achieving an equivalently performing home of brick and block.