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Timber
Construction - The Choice
is Yours
Right across the developed world more people are choosing timber
frame than any other building system, with timber-frame accounting
for around 70% of homes. In the UK more and more builders are
choosing to build houses of all shapes and sizes, right up to
multi-storey flats, using timber frame. Most of the top 25 companies
and 1 in 10 self builders now use timber frame. So, more and more
people are finding out what it's like to enjoy living in a timber
frame structure.
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Timber
Buildings - More comfort
and less expensive heating
Nowadays all new buildings have to conform to new thermal efficiency
standards. But because wood is such a good natural insulator,
enhancing the efficiency of the insulation materials, timber frame
buildings have been exceeding these standards for years. And they
are more comfortable to be in, thanks to the excellent insulation
of the structural shell, the whole building heats up more quickly,
without any cold areas. Better insulation, hand-in-hand with detailed
draught proofing, means a smaller boiler, lower heating bills,
and a cosier, more comfortable building.
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Better built
Timber Structures
Precious little has changed in the way masonry structures have
been built over the years. They rely on the building skills of
a dwindling number of craftsmen working on messy sites in all
weathers. Timber frame buildings, on the other hand, are precision-engineered
under factory conditions, doing away with many of the building
processes that were needlessly done on site. Room dimensions are
more accurate too - useful when you're fitting a carpet or furniture!
A 'dry' plasterboard lining system is used, rather than wet plaster,
allowing decoration to be carried out immediately once the building
is finished and eliminating the need to make good where shrinkage
of on site plastering has occurred.
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National House
Building Council (NHBC) - timber engineering
The National House Building Council - records show fewer problems
with timber frame houses than other construction methods. When
you choose a Benfield ATT build, you can rest assured that the
timber frame design, manufacture and build are covered by an independently
monitored Quality Assurance scheme.
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A Better World
with factory made wood houses
As well as using less energy to heat, timber frame homes
use less energy to build, because wood grows naturally, needing
only minimal energy to fell, mill, transport and construct. By
contrast, the production of concrete blocks, bricks, plaster,
cement, steel and so on takes a great deal of energy and creates
unwanted pollution. In fact, traditional construction accounts
for around 30% of all road freight - nothing the industry has
to be proud of.
Using more wood is a good way to help reduce
the growth of global warming because wood is the only renewable building
material on earth. As trees grow, they absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere
and give out the oxygen we breath.
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More Trees
- timber frame data source
In Northern Europe, our forests are managed so that there are
more trees growing than being harvested. In fact the annual surplus
of growth over harvest is a staggering 252 million cubic metres
- roughly 30 times the UK's total annual consumption of wood (source:
UN-ECE FAO TBFRA 2000). Our forests are FSC-managed and for every
tree that is felled, we plant three in its place.
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From Self Build
to Multi-Storey
1 in every 10 new homes in the UK is a 'Self-build', i.e. an individually-commissioned
house, either built by the owners themselves, by a builder, or
by a combination of both. Of these Self-Builds, 9 out
of 10 choose timber frame. Because no other building method is
as simple, versatile, or cost effective.
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Custom
built timberframed solutions
We believe passionately that timber frame
is the best solution for most homes. But it's your choice. If
you would like further information on specific aspects of timber
frame, please contact us. We are here
to help you.
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Timber
Framed Houses & Homes
Construction FAQ's
Q: How is
a timber frame house different from a masonry house?
A: A modern masonry house is normally made of an inner supporting
wall of concrete blocks and an outer supporting wall of brick.
A modern timber frame house replaces the inner wall with a timber
frame strong enough to carry all the loads of the house. This
is usually covered by the plasterboard internally and a brick,
stone or timber 'siding' external finish.
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Q: What about
Fire?
A: In common with all other forms of construction in the UK, timber
frame meets and exceeds all Building Regulations. Timber frame
has an excellent performance record and, in fact, actually outlasts
concrete in a fire. Timber only chars on the outside. When steel
melts and concrete cracks, you can be sure that timber will keep
its durability and give you longer to exit the building. It has
been suggested that if the Twin Towers were built of timber, they
would still be standing today.
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Q: Will a timber
frame home last? - timber framing craftsmanship holds the answer
A: Yes. timber can, potentially, last several hundred years. A
new timber frame home will last as well as, if not better than,
any other type of new home. Softwood timber frame houses have
been built in the UK since the 19th Century and are still going
strong.
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Q: Will I get
a mortgage on a timber frame home?
A: Yes, and we can help you. But don't just take our word for
it. Patrick Snowden, Head of the Professional Services has commented;
"Halifax takes the view that properly constructed timber
frame housing with a suitable external cladding is equally as
good as housing which is brick or block and we make no differentiation
in the lending terms offered on either form of construction".
Benfield ATT are aware of a few up-and-coming mortgage lenders
specialising in either eco-mortgages for environmentally-sustainable
homes or for self-builders. Contact us for further details.
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Q: Will I have
to pay more for insurance?
A: No. The Association of British Insurers says; "Insurance
companies generally draw no distinction between modern timber
frame and brick and block construction".
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Q: Can I still
do DIY jobs around my timber frame home?
A: Yes. Many jobs are easier, because of the good fixing you can
get in the vertical studs (structural timbers). But, as always
with DIY activities, you need to follow health and safety guidelines
and a few simple rules. Visit www.timber-frame.org,
or contact
us for free advice.
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Q: Are timber
frame homes quiet?
A: Yes. Modern timber frame systems enjoy better acoustic insulation
qualities than masonry and fully conform to, or exceed, the latest
Building Regulations. So you'll stay on speaking terms with your
neighbours (but not through the wall!).
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Q: Will a timber
frame house look different?
A: Only if you want it to. Typically, timber frame houses are
clad in brick and look like any other house. But a range of materials
are suitable, e.g. stone, block and render, slate or timber boarding.
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Q:
What designs are available? - architects plans
A: While we do have 'pattern book' housing, almost all our
clients choose to have these amended to suit their particular
site, accommodation needs, and particular likes and dislikes in
design. Many come to us with their architects plans already
drawn, often for brick and block construction. We then work
with their architect to develop an appropriate timber engineered
structure. Others come to us with just their sketch ideas
and our architects work out the plans with them in just the same
way as if they had engaged an independent architect
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Q:
Where can I get post & beam information?
A: Post and beam is, perhaps, the most recognised form of timber
frame, but it has many variations. Contact us with your specific
queries and we will address these for you.
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Q:
What about joinery?
A: Windows, doors, stairs, mouldings, and other joiners products
come in many shapes and forms. We provide an extensive range of
standard joinery and can design and manufacture other items to
suit your design requirements.
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Q:
Where does Benfield ATT supply and build?
A: Throughout the UK from the Scottish Highlands to the Channel
Islands, throughout Scotland, England, Ireland, Wales, Europe
Portugal, Spain, France, Iraq, Iran, Middle East, Africa,
and as far away as the Falklands. Just send us your questions or your
plans and we will do everything we can to help you.
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Energy
efficient homes Your Choice
Less cost comfort Timber
Structures NHBC Factory
Made More Trees Self
Build + Multi Storey Custom
Build Solutions More FAQ's
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