Benefits of Building with Timber Frame

Timber frame has been one of the most common construction methods for centuries and is still being utilised around the world for the next generation of homes.

There are many reasons for building with timber frame, here are just some of the benefits:

Accurate construction

One of the major benefits of timber frame structures is that they are precision engineered, making them incredibly strong as well as being durable.  Our pre-fabricated panels are made in factory conditions in a controlled environment and the precise engineering involved in the process results in very high levels of consistency.

Fast and effective onsite build method

Typically, a three-bed house can be air and water-tight within a working week, from delivery of the timber frame.  Thus less damage and waste is likely to occur onsite.  In fact, a four-storey block of flats built with timber frame can save up to 50% on build time, meaning tenants can move in sooner and the return on investment can be realised quicker.  This fast erection time is due to a substantial amount of the construction taking place in the factory, with only final assembly necessary onsite.

This also allows plumbers, electricians etc to get in and work within the building, regardless of the outside conditions, allowing for a more predictable construction schedule.

The complete package

Not only can Taylor Lane design and manufacture your timber frame kit, floors, roof trusses and steel frames, we can also manage and erect your project through our build management approach.

No design parameters

Homes built in timber frame have endless possibilities and lend themselves to both repetitive builds and one-off ‘grand designs’.  It also provides greater flexibility for future adaptations – structural integrity permitting!

Computer aided design & manufacture

Timber frame is at the forefront of the IT revolution, allowing seamless electronic interaction to take place. Starting with the architect building in a CAD package, drawings then get sent directly to the timber frame designer.  CAD/CAM is then used to take the building and strip it down into components for manufacture. Once the final design has been agreed, information is sent directly to CAM saws for cutting, ready for assembly.

Environmental benefits

Taylor Lane (Wales) supports the Government in pushing for the building industry to contribute to the reduction of CO2 emissions.  Timber frame has the lowest CO2 cost of any commercially available building material.  For every cubic metre of wood used instead of other building materials, 0.8 tonnes of CO₂ is saved from the atmosphere.  A typical 100m², two-storey detached timber frame home contains 5-6 cubic metres more wood than the equivalent home built using traditional methods.

And the environmental benefits don’t stop after construction. The thermal efficiency of timber means that a timber building will remain warmer throughout the winter, reducing heating costs, and will also stay cooler during the summer months.

Our timber is from sustainable sources with full chain of custody.

Reduced Maintenance

Timber frame is a dry construction method which helps to reduce plaster shrinkage and therefore eliminate cracking of plasterboard.  This allows you to get in and decorate immediately after construction, rather than having to wait for it to ‘dry out’.  Lower maintenance in the first year of construction is a proven factor, with volume housebuilders reporting around a 75% saving on call-back costs within the first year after construction.

Thermal Efficiency

Timber is a natural insulator and aids reduced energy levels in all buildings.  Timber frame buildings far exceed those built using traditional materials when it comes to thermal efficiency, and also go way beyond Building Regulation requirements without any filling of the cavity.  Further to this, a timber frame building is also economic to run, due to its ability to heat up quickly and retain that heat for longer.

Trade Preference for Services

Timber frame construction allows for the easy concealment of wires and pipes, resulting in a far neater finish to the building.  Services can be easily accommodated using our Metal Web Joist (Posi-Joist) system.