Why building a timber frame house is easier than you think - Grand Designs Magazine

Why building a timber frame house is easier than you think

Find out why building a timber frame house is easier than you think.

By Jennifer Turner |

There’s a lot to consider when designing and building your own home, from layout to eco-efficiency, comfort to durability. But perhaps the most fundamental choice you’ll make is the material you construct your self-build home from.

PROMOTED FEATURE

A modern timber frame home with garden

Image: Kingspan Potton

The two most common options are timber frame and masonry, with many myths and mistruths circling around both. When it comes to making this difficult choice, there are numerous reasons why you should plump for a timber build system…

There’s a lot to consider when designing and building your own home, from layout to eco-efficiency, comfort to durability. But perhaps the most fundamental choice you’ll make is the material you construct your self-build home from.

PROMOTED FEATURE

A modern timber frame home with garden

Image: Kingspan Potton

The two most common options are timber frame and masonry, with many myths and mistruths circling around both. When it comes to making this difficult choice, there are numerous reasons why you should plump for a timber build system…

Image: Kingspan Potton

Timber vs. Masonry

There are a number of pros for both types of construction, but some of the so-called cons don’t stand up to any scrutiny.

Some sceptics say that you can’t get insurance or a mortgage on timber frame houses. Others that they’re more prone to fire and not as long lasting as masonry. None of these things are true. The stats show that timber frame homes – especially from companies that meet regulatory requirements such as Kingspan – are no more fire-prone than masonry builds, while they have the same anticipated lifespan as bricks and mortar too.

Add in the latest acoustic solutions that cut down on noise from both inside and outside the home and the supposed negatives about timber kit homes soon disappear.

And of course there are the positives to consider too.

The benefits of a timber frame house

The advantages of a timber or SIP (Structural Insulated Panel) home are numerous, from ease and pace of construction to important ecological and energy concerns.

Kingspan offer several build systems all with different profiles, but each offering a high degree of insulation. This, combined with the airtightness of the system, ensures little heat loss. The result? Lower energy bills and a more comfortable temperature inside.

As well as thermal efficiency, there’s also environmental sustainability – timber is a sustainable resource, unlike many other construction materials.

Consider speed too. You can take your architect’s plans and get moving at any time of year. The dry process of timber frame building doesn’t restrict you to building your dream home at certain times of the year, whereas masonry needs drying time. You can also make cost savings, as structures can be completely erect in 2-4 weeks – getting you into that ideal home that much quicker.

The next steps…

A timber frame home nearing completion

Image: Kingspan Potton 

If a timber frame home is for you, the first step is to compare the different build systems on offer from Kingspan, including one designed for the Passivhaus low-energy standard. If you have a design and drawings of your self-build home, you can submit them for a no obligation quote. The next step? Simply dream of what it will be like to live in your perfectly designed forever home…

Logo for building company Kingspan

SCROLL FOR MORE LIKE THIS