Specifiers Journal 2015-2016

Why Timber Frame?
Timber frame currently accounts for around a
quarter of new homes in the UK, with over 75% of
self-builders using the product as their primary build
method. Utilised by every sector of the construction
industry, timber frame is particularly popular for use
in hotel and student accommodation projects – but
why?
Here, Andrew Carpenter, Chief
Executive of the Structural Timber
Association (STA) considers the
benefits of building with timber
frame, in conjunction with its own
‘Why Timber Frame?’ guide.
Timber frame systems are an
innovative choice that allow for
offsite construction. It is this offsite
construction technique that is of
real benefit when it comes to cost
(and time) saving – entire homes
can be built off-site and transported
relatively easily to their end location
before being ‘pieced together’ in no
time at all. What’s more, it is also
possible to install doors, windows and
insulation as required at the factory
manufacturing stage, rather than
on site, generating a significant cost
saving too.
Generally speaking, timber frame
is gaining the market share when
compared to other methods of
construction. This is largely due to
its significant time / cost saving
benefits - timber frame tends to be
at least 30% quicker than ‘traditional’
methods of construction for example,
meaning prelim costs are reduced.
Where student accommodation and
even hotel projects are concerned,
time is very much of the essence. Many
student accommodation construction
projects for example normally take
place during the summer break, in
order to create as little upheaval and
inconvenience to the university and its
students as possible.
As such, time is probably the most
important factor that needs to be taken
into consideration when selecting
materials for use. Going outside of
this timeframe can of course mean a
costly financial penalty – this is where
the off-site build method associated
with timber frame really comes into
its own, helping to greatly speed up
construction.
The launch of the STA’s ‘Why Timber
Frame?’ guide has been developed
to explore these benefits in greater
detail, providing an in-depth look at
timber frame and its advantages over
other forms of construction.
The ‘Why Timber Frame?’ guide
provides useful information to
ensure the successful co-ordination
of projects, design-to-site details,
‘What to look for’ checklists, best
practice advice and reference papers
for further research into timber frame
construction.
Broken down into nine key areas,
covering everything from technical
performance and reduced waste
through to health and safety
considerations and whole life costs,
the guide is easy to read, delivering
valuable information in bite sized
chunks.
The guide itself includes valuable
research looking into fire safety,
waste reduction, whole life costs and
reliability.
Timber frame in the UK is a
competitive and innovative building
technique with the potential to meet
many of the UK’s future building
needs. In putting together the ‘Why
Timber Frame?’ guide, the STA is
doing all it can to help educate the
industry, delivering a useful reference
tool that will help guide professionals,
providing a deeper insight into why
timber is the sustainable material of
choice.
SPECIFICATION JOURNAL 2015-2016
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