Keltic Contractors

Timber Frame

Timber Framing - What is it?

As its name implies, timber frame construction is a method of building which relies on a timber frame as a basic means of structural support.
Framed buildings are often referred to as ‘lightweight construction’, but don’t be misled – like the skeleton in your body, it’s a precision engineered structure that is remarkably strong and durable.

During construction, open panel timber frame is covered internally by plasterboard, filled with high performance insulation. Moisture/vapour barriers are incorporated and the outer leaf of the wall completes the structure. The outer leaf is typically stone, brick, render or timber to suit the local vernacular and planning requirements.

There are many other forms of timber frame, including advanced and closed panel systems, volumetric and hybrid systems. Structural Insulated Panel (SIP) technology is another exciting development in timber based construction methods.

Timber frame is an engineered, quality assured, tried and tested building method that is the norm in most parts of the developed world. A truly ‘modern method of construction’, today’s factory-manufactured timber frame:

Is engineered to the highest level of accuracy and quality;
Significantly simplifies on-site construction;
Promotes greater efficiency and supply chain integration;
Brings predictability and greater control to the construction process;
Meets and often exceeds all current building regulations;
Performs well in terms of fire and flood resistance;
Improves construction health and safety;
Has fewer defects and high customer satisfaction;
Is by far the most environmentally friendly way to build.

The Benefits of Choosing Timber Frame

There are many advantages of using this building method, including:-

Timescale

A timber-framed development is a speedier form of erection as opposed to traditionally-built homes. The timber frame skeleton is constructed in various parts in our factory under strict quality controls, which reduces the amount of work to be carried out on site, making it a more secure, manageable and safer environment. The timber frame specifications can be built to order very quickly, enabling the process from formulation to be implementation to be greatly reduced. As this type of build is not affected by weather conditions, year-round construction is viable. Normally we erect the timber unit within 10 days of arrival on site. This includes all exterior and interior dividing walls, 1st floor Eco-joist & board floor system and roof trusses. The day after we finish, your roofer can start, followed by the doors & window installation. This gives you a sealed unit and your internal trades can begin immediately. This avoids the long wait usually associated with traditional brick & block construction methods.

This is an ideal example of timber-framing v. conventional build.

These two projects were started on the same date. Note the timber-framed building in the background is almost complete.

The conventional build in the foreground was not able to come out of the ground due to adverse weather conditions.

Sound Insulation

Panelling is used to construct the timber frames. These are made up of lightweight timber parts, which are then enforced with a wood-based material.

There are numerous advantages to this, such as the reduction in noise pollution attained via the unlimited insulation that can be placed within the timber components.

Thermal Insulation

The panelling used to construct timber frames is made up of lightweight timber components which are then filled with limitless quantities of insulation.

As a result of this, standard building regulations can be met with ease (and can surpass them in many cases). This high level of insulation limits heat loss through walls and so maintains temperatures, reducing heating costs.

Compliance

Timber frame developments allow enormous design flexibility. they can be erected to almost any conceivable design and transportation of the components is simplified due to the lightweight attributes of timber. All Timber Developments units economically meet and often exceed all existing and new U.K. building regulation demands, unlike some traditional methods of construction.

Environmental Matters

The insulated frames are a major contributor to saving energy. The frames are made from replenishable softwoods and the insulation used is free from harmless CFS's, making it extremely environmentally friendly.

Today, many different forms of wall section are available bringing even further benefits to the builder and the end user.

Timber frame in its most standard form offers many advantages over other methods of construction, from speed of erection to a wind and water tight shell, to the high insulation qualities to achieve excellent 'u' values and SAP ratings.

Timber Frame Design

Design Software

The Timber Frame software provides all of the features required to rapidly create a complete computer model of a “Timber Frame” construction. Automatic quantity take-off and scheduling for accurate cost analysis can be completed at any stage of the design. The product is available in a number of modules to allow the user the required functionality that suits both small and large organisations.

Working Drawings

Panel drawings, sections, elevations and plans can be quickly produced to create working drawings as required. These can be rapidly updated when changes are made to the house-type model. The information provided can by delivered direct to the shop floor or via software links to frame machines

Our in house design service can develop a tailor made design to suit your requirements. We use advanced CAD system called Conceltec. This can quickly create a design in a 3D model that we can then use directly with our CNC machinery.

If you already have your own drawings we can work to almost any design, and engineer a timber frame structure to create your building.

Erecting a Timber Frame

Sole Plates

Laid on plastic DPC packed to level using packing shims. Once levelled these are fixed to the foundation using shot fired masonry nails or with sole plate clips & left to be grout filed in any voids between the foundation & the sole plate. Once positioned & fixed these sole plates set the hole line & level for the finished structure therefore it is essential that these are positioned accurately.

Panels are then positioned on the sole plates & the whole structure begins to grow. On a typical 4 bedroom 1,500 square foot house the erection process will take approximately 6 - 7 days & by the end of the second day the project should look something like this.

Floors

Either Engineered I beams, Metal Web Joists or traditional Timber Sections. The floor structure is then covered with a moisture resistant chipboard flooring however plastic laminated or those with peel clean coverings are also available. These are some of the 'finer' tune items that we like to work with you to provide.

Roof Structure

Usually erected as a truss roof system to suit the engineers specification, however hybrids are commonly used where more thought is needed.

Watertight Roof Covering

We feel it is important to ensure a project is watertight prior to leaving the project. To this end we always install a breathable roofing membrane secured by loosely fixed battens. This not only ensures that the structures kiln dried timber retains its stable moisture content, it also ensures floors & staircases fitted are not open to the ravages of the weather thus damaging the finished appearance.

Nearing Completion

By the time the team leave the site the project will look similar to this and be ready to receive the roof covering, windows and doors. Once these are fitted the plumbers and electricians can move in to commence first fixing followed closely by plasters. The over all result of not waiting for brick layers to complete the masonry ensures the project reaches completion well ahead of a fully masonry constructed structure.

Additional Items - Staircases, windows & doors are all part of our core offer. Keltic Contractors do not at this time take on full build projects except in special circumstances.

Contact Us

If there is anything that is not covered in the website or you would like to talk to us about our services, please feel free to contact us.

References

Keltic Contractors can readily make recent references available to any prospective clients. References cover all aspects of erection, building & construction activities and carpentry.