Gemma Rice Gemma Rice Timber Frame Timber Frame Construction Construction
Jan 21, 2015
What is “Timber Frame What is “Timber Frame Construction”?Construction”?
Timber frame construction consists of Timber frame construction consists of prefabricated wooden wall panels, timber prefabricated wooden wall panels, timber flooring and roof materials built upon a timber flooring and roof materials built upon a timber framework. These timber components are framework. These timber components are nailed to the framework to provide a sturdy nailed to the framework to provide a sturdy skeleton around which the external walls of a skeleton around which the external walls of a conventional building are built. conventional building are built.
What is “Timber Frame What is “Timber Frame Construction”?Construction”?
Timber Frame Construction is a type of Timber Frame Construction is a type of
ooff-site construction, which simply means “the ff-site construction, which simply means “the building of a structure or some element of that building of a structure or some element of that structure, at a location which is not the same structure, at a location which is not the same site where the building will be permanently site where the building will be permanently located for use.”located for use.”
Generally occurs within a manufacturingGenerally occurs within a manufacturing or production plantor production plant
A Typical Timber Frame WallA Typical Timber Frame Wall
• The main difference between traditional build and timber frame is that the inner shell is constructed from a timber structure
Timber Frame Construction – Timber Frame Construction – Standard Two Storey HouseStandard Two Storey House
PHASE 1 PHASE 1 – The Office– The Office Engineer receives clients plans and carries out structural Engineer receives clients plans and carries out structural
calculations for the timber frame house.calculations for the timber frame house.
PHASE 2 PHASE 2 – The Factory– The Factory Floor joists, wall panels and roof Floor joists, wall panels and roof
trusses are manufactured accordingtrusses are manufactured according
to engineers specifications. The timberto engineers specifications. The timber
frame materials are loaded onto a lorry frame materials are loaded onto a lorry
and delivered to site.and delivered to site.
Timber Frame Construction – Timber Frame Construction – Standard Two Storey HouseStandard Two Storey House
PHASE 3 PHASE 3 – The Site – – The Site – DAY 1DAY 1 The base for the timber structure is marked out. The base for the timber structure is marked out.
The external walls are erected followed by the The external walls are erected followed by the internal partitions. The timber floor joists are then internal partitions. The timber floor joists are then lifted into position with the first floor wall panels lifted into position with the first floor wall panels being installed on top of the floor joists.being installed on top of the floor joists.
Timber Frame Construction – Timber Frame Construction – Standard Two Storey HouseStandard Two Storey House
PHASE 3 PHASE 3 – The Site – – The Site – DAY 2DAY 2 The roof trusses are lifted by crane and The roof trusses are lifted by crane and
laid into position on top of the first floor laid into position on top of the first floor wall panels.wall panels.
Timber Frame Construction – Timber Frame Construction – Standard Two Storey HouseStandard Two Storey House
PHASE 3 PHASE 3 – The Site – – The Site – DAYs 3-5DAYs 3-5 The timber frame is completed as follows:The timber frame is completed as follows:
fire stops and dpc’s are put in placefire stops and dpc’s are put in place roof is felt and battenedroof is felt and battened fascia is erectedfascia is erected
The Timber Frame House is now ready for the blocklayer, The Timber Frame House is now ready for the blocklayer, glazing, roof tiller, electrician etc !!glazing, roof tiller, electrician etc !!
Advantages of Advantages of Timber Frame ConstructionTimber Frame Construction
Speed of Construction Speed of Construction Quicker on site build time Shorter programme Execution of activities concurrently Reduction in trades on site Reduced preliminaries Quicker return on investment
Manufactured in Factory Controlled Manufactured in Factory Controlled EnvironmentEnvironment
Dimensionally accurate Reduced waste and better waste management Reduction in defects not weather dependant Factory controlled quality assurance Increased health and safety Greater efficiency in the use of transport and resources
Advantages of Advantages of Timber Frame ConstructionTimber Frame Construction
Sustainable Method of Construction Sustainable Method of Construction Energy efficient & environmentally friendly Has low embodied energy if constructed using local timberTimber is recyclableFast heating due to low thermal mass
Low weight Low weight Light weight construction requires less expensive foundations
Drying Out Time Drying Out Time Reduced drying out time for wet trades thus internal finishes completed
quicker
Flexibility of Design Flexibility of Design ––Extensions can be easily added and internal layouts can be readily adapted
when required
ConclusionConclusion
In recent years off-site construction has revolutionised the way of thinking within the Irish industry when it comes to how we design and build new structures
“Building better faster” has been adapted into the thinking of Irish developers
As a result, timber frame construction has become more and more popular through-out all sectors due to the increase in speed of construction, cost savings and increases in efficiency and sustainability
With more and more emphasis being place on sustainability, the environment, and high energy rated homes, timber frame construction is definitely the way forward.