- How will using timber frame affect my
overheads?
- Is fire an issue?
-
Are guarantees or insurance a problem?
- Are timber frame houses quiet?
- Will our customers have mortgage
problems?
- Will our customers be happy?
- Can our customers still do DIY jobs?
Q: How
will using timber frame affect my overheads?
A: Buying the whole superstructure in one package means a vast
reduction in time and effort in your purchasing resource, while
your accounts resource has to only to deal with a single invoice
for the timber frame package (a third of the build!) instead
of a multitude of accounts to cover the masonry equivalent.
Q: Is
fire an issue?
A: No. Timber frame meets all current building regulations. Furthermore,
independent tests have shown timber outperforms other structural
materials like steel or concrete in fire; instead of a tendency
to buckle and collapse in the extreme heat of a fire, timber
chars at a predictable rate allowing a slow and controlled loss
of structural integrity providing precious time to evacuate people
and equipment.
The roof of the largest single span aircraft hanger at France’s Charles DeGaulle airport is constructed using timber beams for this very reason!
Q: Are guarantees or insurance a problem
A: No. Timber frame construction is recognised
by the NHBC and Zurich Municipal for guarantee purposes. Steve
Birt of the Association
of British Insurers says: “Insurance companies generally
draw no distinction between modern Timber Frame and brick and
block construction, provided the the external roof covering is
also of tiles, natural or mineral slates or concrete.”
Q: Are timber frame houses quiet?
A: Yes. They conform to, or in many cases exceed,
current Building Regulations. BRE stated “If all dwellings
had sound insulation as good as that measured in party walls
of timber frame dwellings,
the problems of noise from neighbours would be greatly reduced.”
Q: Will our customers have mortgage problems?
A: No. But don’t just take our word for it. Tony Armstrong,
Director of Corporate Relations at Northern Rock plc said “As
a lender, we do not differentiate between timber frame and any
other standard form of construction.”
Q: Will our customers be happy?
A: Yes. Their timber frame houses will look like any other house.
But it will be warmer, with reduced bills and lower maintenance.
Q: Can our customers still do DIY jobs?
A: Yes. Pictures and shelves can be hung using plasterboard fixings.
Heavier items can be supported by fixing into studs.
With acknowledgement to the United Kingdom Timber Frame Association (UKTFA)