timber frame home benefits
Timber frame homes have many benefits for self-builders, making them the smart choice for most self-build situations. Timber frame houses often come as kits, yet also lend themselves to endless bespoke design options, giving self-builders the chance to realise their individual vision at a manageable cost.
As manufacturers of timber frame kit homes for self-build, we’re great fans of timber frames.
Here’s why:
- Timber frame homes allow faster on-site construction, so weather is less of a problem. No wonder they’re the preferred form of construction in Scotland and Scandinavia!
- Timber frame construction allows great flexibility to suit different budgets and aspirations, from standard-spec kit packages to fully bespoke architect-designed projects.
- Timber is a natural, renewable and sustainable resource with low embodied energy. Even more so when supplied locally!
- Timber frame is a long-established build method in the UK and throughout the world. Over 85% of homes in the developed world use a form of timber construction.
- Timber frame is the fastest growing construction method for domestic housing within the UK.
- Timber frame thermal performance – superstructures can take high levels of thermal insulation, increasing the energy efficiency of your home.
Why Fleming Homes Timber Frame?
The general benefits of timber frame are becoming better known in the UK, and especially Scotland, but there are many different types and specifications of timber frame construction. What’s particular about Fleming Homes?
We specialise in manufacturing high quality open panel pre-insulated timber frame systems.
This traditional system of timber frame manufacture typically comprises a prefabricated panel made up of 140mm timber studs at 600mm centres, with OSB sheathing and a reflective breather membrane.
Each project we manage is a bespoke one-off, so the panel design and specification can be adapted to suit your individual project.
As we see it, the traditional open panel timber frame system has significant advantages for self-builders. From our 30 years’ experience, the main ones are:
- Speed of off-site manufacture: reduced lead times and lower production costs
- Speed of on-site erection: quicker progress to ‘wind & watertight’, reducing the overall build cost
- Flexibility: from start to finish, there are no pre-defined construction constraints, so the fabrication and specification detail of your home can be designed to your specific needs
- Lightweight: far less reliance on expensive mechanical lifting
- Cost efficient: more economical to manufacture and to erect, reducing total build costs
- Sustainable: our raw timber materials are sourced from well-managed, sustainable forests, and have lower embodied carbon than other materials
- Quality: traditionally hand made in line with exacting quality procedures
- Highly transportable: we've supplied timber frames from our Duns factory to locations over the whole length and breadth of the UK, as you can see from our map (click to enlarge).
Our panel systems can be manually fitted with insulation on site, or the primary layer of insulation can be fitted at our factory.
See further information about our insulation products.
OAK FRAME HOMES
Oak frame buildings have been constructed for centuries due to the strength, durability and beauty of this majestic hard wood. And there’s no doubt that if you’re looking to make a statement, an oak frame home can deliver exceptional wow factor.
There are several ways to incorporate oak into your self-build design. A full oak frame will form the main structural element of a project. Alternatively, you can limit oak to certain parts of the dwelling achieving the aesthetic impact where you want it most and allowing the structural skeleton of the building to comprise a mix of hard wood oak members and softwood timber frame members. Finally, adding oak trusses is another option if you want to achieve the oak frame look on a modest budget.
Whichever route is right for your project, you’ll need an experienced team to help you achieve a beautiful and enduring, bespoke design. Read more on how we’ve worked with our clients in the past to realise their vision for a stunning oak frame self-build.
If you’d like to explore oak frame for your new build, combined with all the benefits of timber frame, call us today on 01361 883785.
Have a Question?
We’ve answered a wide range of common questions in our Fleming Homes FAQ section,
if you don’t find the answer you’re looking for, why not speak directly to us on 01361 883785.