6 Reasons Why Timber Frame Construction Is On The Up!:

6 Reasons Why Timber Frame Construction Is On The Up!

Recent years have seen timber frame construction surging in the UK, with a market share close to one-third in 2021. Constructed off-site in a style reminiscent of the post-war modular homes boom, timber frame construction helps meet the needs of the modern housebuilding industry that desires rapid high-quality, robust properties, with minimal waste and better sustainability.

Timber Frame Construction: A Centuries-Old Trusted Technique

Timber frame construction has been the go-to housebuilding method for hundreds of years across the world. Modern timber frame buildings can be either open or closed panel, but in either case they are assembled off-site before being shipped to the construction site where they are rapidly assembled.

Timber frame houses utilise upright posts and horizontal beams to create a sturdy, durable structure for the building, with the roof formed with trusses. In this way, effective use of materials and space is achieved, without the need for traditional brick-and-mortar building methods of the internal cavity wall.

The Benefits Of Timber Frame Construction

There are six factors that are driving the popularity of timber frame construction in the UK:

1) Quick Build Time

While the material costs for timber frames is higher than for bricks or steel, the speed of construction and shallower foundations help mitigate these costs so that building projects come in at a lower overall price. The building is enclosed very rapidly and works by internal trades can be carried out at the same time as the brick, cladding or other skin is constructed and windows are installed. This ensures faster build times which avoid extended disruption for communities, while developers enjoy quicker completion times.

2) Bespoke Designs

Many timber frame buildings are built to bespoke designs, giving architects and developers scope for more innovation, particularly in areas where aesthetics is important (in historic villages, for example). Buyers can also specify the layout or room sizes of their new home, helping to envision ‘the home of their dreams’. Timber frame construction gives architects more flexibility to design stronger homes in challenging areas or to increase the insulation in the property.

3) Excellent Energy Efficiency

Timber frame houses tend to be extremely energy efficient. The frame has a low thermal mass so it will absorb less heat, while the property will be quicker to heat and better able to retain warmth. In cold weather, there is less need to turn on the heating for prolonged periods, while in summer the coolness of the interior makes energy-thirsty air conditioning units unnecessary.

4) Easier To Insulate

Once the wooden frame is assembled and erected, insulation can be custom designed to plug every space between the beams, or even to envelop the entire structure. Soft, springy insulation expands easily to fill hidden gaps, ensuring the building is air and watertight, while breather membranes can be integrated to block infrared radiation and prevent heat loss.

5) Ecological And Sustainable

Demand for sustainable construction has fuelled the popularity of timber frame buildings and can help businesses to demonstrate their green credentials. Sustainable farmed timber from PEFC or FSC-certified sources and a reduced carbon footprint combine to promote a positive ecological statement, promoting timber frame construction as the way forward for the 21st century.

6) Lower Production Costs

Finally, timber frame construction costs are generally lower than traditional methods of building, with reduced spend on labour and foundations, without any detriment to the quality of the finished product.

Get In Touch

To find out more about how SC4 can support the installation of timber frame structures for your next construction project, get in touch on 0330 120 0776, or click here to send a message.

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