The Benefits

Timber frame buildings are best known for their warmth and their speed of construction. There is a lot more to timber frame than this, which is shown as follows:

McCavana Timber Frame Homes can be erected within three to five days after being delivered to site. All framework and structural panels are manufactured in the factory and they can be made in conjunction with foundation laying and substructure, therefore allowing a more intense construction schedule. Once wind and water tight, other tradesmen can continue their work inside also, regardless of our inclement weather.

The timber frame is manufactured under factory controlled conditions, leaving the structure highly accurate. Each corner is a perfect right angle and each wall is perfectly straight. This simplifies the erection process on site, with all the components fitting together exactly as they were designed.

McCavana Timber Frame Homes are highly insulated and are 27% more energy efficient than the current Building Regulations. The insulation is contained inside the inner panel which results in a high sound insulation barrier – much more than a traditional build house. There is also no heat lost in blockwork, giving a damp free energy efficient house. The factory accurate structure ensures all panels and framework fits snugly, eliminating draughts and any consequent heat loss, ensuring savings in heating costs.

There is no wait time for plaster finish to dry out as most timber frame homes are drylined. (the option of skim coat plaster is also available). This also gives the advantage of no unsightly cracks that appear in many new houses and there are no defects due to shrinkage.

A McCavana Timber Frame house will last equally as long as a traditional house.

Timber frame construction is recognised by all major lending companies e.g. Abbey National, Halifax, Nationwide, The Woolwich, Alliance & Leicester. Indeed many lenders offer tranche payment schemes specially designed for self builders.

NHBC Inspectors have proven over the years there are a lot less maintenance problems with a timber frame house, than a traditional house. Christopher Mills – Director of Technical Services National House Building Council quotes:

“The NHBC inspects and insures many thousands of timber frame homes every year. Our claims records actually show that these houses tend to perform better than masonry homes, as more of the dwelling is made under closely controlled factory conditions”.

Timber frame also solves the growing problem with tradesmen for builders and self build. The timber frame kit is designed and assembled off site and therefore requires a smaller skilled work force on site. It decreases the number of tradesmen’s working hours. e.g.

Electricians – no tracking require
Plumbers – no tracking required
Bricklayers – 50% less work required
Joiners – all panels/structures are accurately made in the factory and therefore easier and quicker to construct together

There are changes to take place in the Building Regulations shortly,with regards to increasing cavity wall width for more warmth which have already taken place in England. These conditions can easily be met using timber frame construction without compromising room sizes or site area and without increasing cavity wall width, as timber frame construction already provides thermally efficient and performs well acoustically enabling the new regulations to be met.