Reasons to build a timber house

If you’re thinking of having your new home built from scratch, why not opt for a timber structure? They can be built safely and quickly in a style to suit you.

Timber framed houses are becoming a
more popular choice

Although it might seem like an idea from the Dark Ages, building new properties with a primarily wooden structure is actually proving to be the housing tip of the early twenty-first century. Recent, more advanced technology and new mass production techniques have enabled timber houses to be updated for modern times. Plus it’s surprisingly affordable without causing damage to the environment. If you think all this simply sounds too good to be true, why not have a look at the various benefits that come with opting for a new timber framed home:

• While traditional property developments use a large number of small wooden beams for the underlying structure, timber framing instead opts for fewer but larger beams that are fastened with slots and wooden pegs rather than steel or iron joints. The beams are therefore ‘pre-fitted’, which means an average sized home can be erected in as little as two to three days.
• This firm structure also accounts for an improved seismic survivability rate among such wooden homes – if you look around any old city there are plenty of timber framed homes to be found, many at least around 300 years old.
• The longer beams also create an open plan design perfect for larger family rooms; plus there is sufficient space between the walls for all wiring, heating and plumbing fixtures to be securely fitted and provide all your modern household necessities.
• Wood is also a renewable, carbon neutral building material; unlike steel or concrete no C02 emissions are released during its manufacture, meaning less damage to the earth and its atmosphere. If you hire a contractor affiliated with the F.S.C (Forests Stewardship Council) you can also be sure that your timber is sustainable and has been sourced from a carefully managed area, from a soft wood specifically designed for your needs.
• Wood is also extremely durable and there are plenty of modern precautions you can now take against insect or fungal damage, from paints, polishes and sprays to Structural Insulated Panels – composite building materials designed to entirely surround the exterior of the wooden building, providing greater rigidity, extra protection against rot and improved insulation – meaning fewer drafts and reduced heating bills.
• And of course, timber framing has the aesthetic advantage of bringing warmth and character to your home as well as being easily adaptable. Whether you wish to adorn the place with carvings, paintings or structural heirlooms (such as an attic-barn); or if you need to choose between stone or brick cladding for a rustic fireplace; or even if you simply want to add a dash of paint to the bare walls; any colour or design fits neatly into the overall base décor that timber frames provide.

How much does a timber frame house cost?

When you get in touch with a timber frame company or specialist, be sure to check references and browse their portfolios to make certain they can provide the service you’re looking for. The cost of a timber house will depend on where you live, the size of the structure and the extent of how elaborate or complicated you want the design and layout to be. Many companies charge between £30 - £65 per square metre of wooden material and overall this can easily build up to somewhere just above £100,000 for a completely finished home, including wiring, lighting, heating and drainage. However, some timber homes have been known to come in at as little as £45,000. Nevertheless, a timber home can provide you with the perfect new residence – warm, affordable, environmentally friendly and designed completely to suit your aesthetic taste and the rest of your family’s needs.