Quality ...
Due to the precision timber engineering involved in the production of
Timber frame components in factory controlled conditions the finished
product is much better. Components can be ordered in advance of the house
being fabricated and delivered to a precise program, this leads to increased
quality control on site as these items are generally fixed on arrival.
No on site measuring is required for external doors and windows etc as
the fabrication drawings identify precise measurements, which enables
these items to be produced with confidence, again leading to advanced
ordering and delivery of your program.
Speed of Construction ...
The erection of the Timber Frame kit superstructure can be very quick.
A typical 3 bedroom house can be erected within 5 days, including external
doors and windows, felt and batten, thus providing a dry environment
for following trades.
The external skin can commence independently of the internal trades,
his translates to a shorter program of build and potentially reduced
costs.
Energy Efficiency ...
Timber Frame Homes can be highly insulated, they heat up very quickly
which means they cost less to run. In the summer the insulation keeps
them cool and comfortable to live in. Timber Frame contributes greatly
to the saving of energy as the energy required to heat a Timber Frame
Home is much less than the raditional method of brick and block, this
being a great contribution to the ever growing concern over our planet
and the green house gas effect. The equired SAP rating for building control
is easily achieved with Timber Frame.
Appearance ...
As the Timber Frame structure is clad externally with block/brick and
internally with plasterboard it looks no different to a masonry
house. Planning authorities treat a timber frame house in the same manner
as a "traditional" masonry build. There is no way of knowing
from the external appearance if a house is timber frame, but the benefits
can certainly be felt from your cosy interior.
Environmentally Friendly ...
The major man-made cause of carbon dioxide emissions is the burning
of fossil fuels for heating and power. A timber frame building with a
high level of insulation reduced the amount of energy required to heat
it. In addition to this, the embodied energy costs in producing the building
materials are considerably less than those in masonry construction. Only
timber from managed forests in the northern hemisphere is used in the
manufacture of frame components. By harvesting mature trees and replanting
with young specimens, a natural cycle is created. More trees are planted
than are felled, and so an increase in the volume of the trees is created.
Growing trees absorb carbon dioxide and, by photosynthesis, convert it
into oxygen. Mature trees absorb less carbon dioxide, and hence replanting
them with young trees increases a forest's ability to absorb carbon dioxide.
Flexibility ...
Some people, mistakenly believe that timber frame construction is only
appropriate to small properties, yet timber frame construction is used
for buildings as diverse as five-storey blocks of flats, terraced 2up & 2
down, bungalows, detached super homes and with commercial applications
such as schools, nursing homes and hotels.
Acoustics ...
The Building Regulations now require a minimum level of acoustic insulation
in a new house to reduce sound transfer. This
an be achieved with the use of mineral wool insulation to the external,
internal nd party walls.
Maintenance ...
Above the foundations, a timber framed house has virtually no added
water. Designed correctly from the outset, timberframing can
dramatically reduce moisture content internally. This means that the
owners/occupiers of a timber frame structure, face less drying, less
shrinkage, less differential movement, less making good, and less redecoration
than a "wet build" structure. They also
enjoy a much more comfortable home, with considerable lower overall maintenance
costs.
Market Statistics ...
- The timber frame share of the new housing market currently represents
12% of the market in Northern Ireland. Some analysts forecast the timber
frame share to increase to 25% of the market by 2010. Similarly in
ROI, the timber frame share of the new housing market has increased
to 15% over the last five years and this trend is expected to continue
with some analysts forecasting timber frame increasing to 35% of the
market by 2010.
- Timber frame housing grew by 25%, compared to a 7.4% increase for
all other methods of construction.
- Timber frame housing now has a 17% market share in the UK.
- One in six new homes is now timber frame.
- Over 65% of new homes in Scotland are built using timber frame.
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