Timber Frame Buildings

As one of the earliest materials from which man has historically fashioned his dwellings, timber can still be at the heart of every home. Heavy structural timber frames are an incredibly flexible method of construction. They are generally manufactured off-site in workshop conditions, ensuring that site-times can be kept to a minimum. They can be simple, contemporary and minimal, or fully expressed complex works of internal and external structure, echoing our incredible historical carpentry heritage as well as being constructed in combination with modern contemporary materials and techniques. They can be enclosed using a wide variety of materials and techniques that will respond to the strictest brief. By looking through our portfolio you will discover the breadth of our experience in terms of the wide variation in the projects that we have designed and constructed. As a bespoke company, we can bring our wealth of knowledge both in terms of design and carpentry expertise to any project. We have worked with a large and growing number of self-build clients helping them to realise their dream. Our self-build clients are often keen to explore new possibilities, materials and techniques. Many of their houses are extremely sustainable, and as such we have learnt much and developed appropriate methods and techniques that we can now offer our new clients as a matter of course.

Oak Framed Buildings

Oak is an exceptional material. It is naturally durable, tough, strong and often beautifully figured. Oak has been used for hundreds of years as a principal construction material. The development of highly effective and specific joinery reached its zenith during the medieval period. Such work can be seen in the numerous surviving majestic tithe barns and higher order agricultural buildings dotted around the countryside, as well as churches, cathedrals, castles, schools, royal and parliamentary buildings. There are extraordinary examples of intricately evolved solutions for joining lengths of timber together to act reliably as a structure under varying loads and forces. The master carpenters of that period combined the skills of the architect, engineer and carpenter-craftsman. They clearly had an intimate understanding of how oak behaves, both in terms of how the timber reacts once it is converted from a log, how it is best orientated in terms of durability, spring and bow, and how it is best joined together using the tools and techniques of the day. It is from this wealth of surviving evidence; it's study, recording and conservation that our craft has been revived. If you are interested in this fascinating subject, there are a number of excellent open-air museums, nationally owned oak framed buildings you can visit as well as a wealth of books on the subject. The Carpenters' Fellowship is a not for profit organisation that has been established to promote communication, training and information for anyone who is interested in historic and contemporary timber framed structures.

Traditional Craftsmanship with Modern Design

While the craft and history of timber frame carpentry is steeped in tradition, we match the most appropriate technique and materials to the demands of the design brief, building regulations and best practice. In order to present our ideas and the significant amount of information necessary to achieve a clear design package our frames are designed with powerful CAD applications. Our initial response to an enquiry is to design a three dimensional model of the frame and it's interface with the surrounding building elements in a way that is visually easy to understand. This starting point helps everyone involved visualise the extent of the frame. The model can be easily modified, avoiding costly complete re-designs. This flexibility can offer a number of options for the client, and it is when 'cost engineering' is most efficiently achieved. The model provides the basis for the design information that is used to accurately calculate the costs, it provides clear information for the other members of the design build team in terms of how their work interconnects with the frame, avoiding serious mistakes later on. Before the frame is built, the model provides information for our structural engineers in order for them to prepare supporting calculations for building control as well as accurate dimensions for the project manager to approve providing the benchmark for the carpentry team cutting the frame. Once full approvals have been achieved, then the final CAD model provides manufacturing information specifying the timber sizes, dimensions and joinery connections.

Oak Framed Houses

Modern house building standards demand a level of performance far greater than that achieved by traditionally built oak frame houses from the past. Our task is to use our knowledge of oak frame design and specification to design and construct buildings that satisfy or exceed ever rising modern standards, especially in terms of thermal efficiency and air tightness. As you may be aware, green oak shrinks and moves during the first few years following construction. Traditionally constructed oak framed houses often used wattle and daub, then brick and mortar or weatherboarding as methods of weather proofing the walls of the building. These buildings were draughty, uninsulated and probably leaked for a considerable period at the beginning of their existence! Their performance in terms of draughts and leaks would have improved as the oak frame stopped shrinking, and the external panels were pointed or continually lime washed filling cracks and gaps. Many of us adore the feel and character of these buildings, but we have to design and specify with the regulations in mind. This means we have to consider insulation, infill materials and techniques, internal plaster finishes, glass glazing and joinery as well as the finishes to the frame itself. Using oak as a structural element of your house does not limit you to traditional forms and techniques. There are opportunities to use oak in a very contemporary way often in combination with modern materials such as structural stainless steel.

Budget

There are a number of ways in which we can provide budget costs for your frame. Guide prices can be based on a cost per square metre of the total floor plan area. Following a brief explanation of your requirements this can be calculated very quickly, however this method is notoriously vague due to the varied and potential combinations of frame construction. For example, a roof truss of fixed span and height could vary in cost from £3500 to over £9000. Each of these trusses would perform exactly the same function, the only difference would be the complexity as regards the joinery, and the type of materials used in their manufacture. Our usual practise is to provide a 3d CAD model from which we can provide an indicative budget subject to dimensional and structural approvals. This is a very accurate way to establish costs, and can be used to direct cost engineering by design. Once a precedent has been set, we would proceed to a paid design phase when the client is free to explore as many options as they see fit. Once the necessary parties have approved the chosen design, a fixed cost quotation will be agreed and manufacturing can begin. Timber species choice can have an impact on the design and cost of a frame. There is an economy of scale, and the simpler and larger the volume of build, the greater the per square metre of the potential cost difference will be between oak and Douglas Fir.

Quality Craftsmanship

Most of our frames are constructed by hand by our affiliated teams of carpenter craftsmen. The team that cuts your frame is the same team that will be on site raising it. For most people, having their frame cut by hand is an important aspect of choosing a traditional timber frame. Their frame will be cut using heavy-duty hand and portable power tools. Many of the tools and techniques are identical to those used by medieval carpenters. The fames are connected by traditional joints, which are pegged together using hand cleft octagonalised and tapered oak pegs. The peg holes are arranged so that as the peg is driven home, the joint pulls up tight. Some clients do not consider having their frame cut by hand a priority, and as such we can provide the alternative of having their frames prepared largely by CNC machinery, with a carpentry team completing the tasks that machines are not able to carry out. We have a team of affiliate specialists who we strongly recommend that include architects, structural engineers, glass, glazing and joinery specialists. We prefer to work as part of a team with our client in order to provide a quality product, on time and on budget. Should you have any questions concerning your project, please get in touch. You will be able to discuss your queries with an experienced member of our team who will be able to give you the necessary advice in order for you to make an informed decision.