Not only are timber-frame homes considered permanent
constructions in the same way as masonry structures, with no differentiation
made by mortgage companies, insurance providers and building societies,
but they also have some very specific advantages over traditional building
methods.
Energy efficiency
Barnett Forest Homes' timber-frame construction methods ensure the highest
insulation values in the industry today, far exceeding the current regulations
as well as those proposed for the future. Wood itself is an effective insulator,
but add to that Barnett Forest Homes' unique two-cavity
insulation system,
and the results are astounding. This type of timber-frame home heats up fast
and keeps the warmth where it is needed, making the cost of heating extremely
low for the full life of the building. It is no coincidence that people in
some of the coldest parts of the world live in timber-frame homes.
Environmentally friendly
Wood is a renewable, sustainable, recyclable, non-toxic, waste-efficient,
biodegradable natural resource, the use of which has far less impact on
the environment than
any other building material. The timber used for frame construction is obtained
from coniferous forests in Britain, Scandinavia and North America, where
forest management plant more trees than are felled. The amount of 'embodied
energy'
that is used to get timber into a usable state is far less than that of concrete
or brick, the standard materials for traditional building, which produce
air and water pollution in their manufacture.
Noise pollution reduction
The external walls of a Barnett Forest Homes timber-frame home comply
with the latest part-E of the building regulations with regard to
sound insulation.
Land suitability
The softwoods used for the frame are 16 times less dense than steel and five
times less dense than concrete, with a strength-to-weight ratio that makes
timber-frame homes weigh up to eight times less than other types of houses.
With this in mind, difficult sites can be used to build houses on, and the
foundations can be simpler.
Design flexibility
A timber-frame home can be much more innovative in design than one with
a concrete or brick structure, allowing home builders to design something
that suits their
lifestyles, tastes and desires. Each house becomes truly one of a kind.
Offsite fabrication
The production of large sections of the timber frame are done in Barnett
Forest Homes' own workshop, then transported to the build site for erection.
This
not only reduces the amount of time spent on site, but also allows the structure
to take shape quickly once on site. Offsite fabrication ensures that the
structure is created under closely monitored conditions, with detailed
quality control
taking place even before the components arrive at site. Delays resulting
from inclement weather are greatly reduced, and as the building is weather-tight
within days, internal works can begin early in the build process.
Durability
Barnett Forest Homes' timber frames are made of regularised, kiln dried,
pressure-treated timber, which is not only extremely stable, but also
durable and long-lasting.
Value for money
Barnett Forest Homes, bespoke timber-frame housing system is not intended
to be a cheap alternative to standard house construction, but a high-quality
and
energy-efficient option that will save money over the long term. The actual
cost of construction remains realistic when compared with traditional brick
building, but the real financial benefits become apparent over time as the
built-in energy saves the homeowner ongoing energy costs.
Future sales potential
Timber-frame homes are increasing in popularity, with the numbers increasing
substantially year on year, which bodes well for future onward sales values.
Barnett Forest Homes © 2005
