Timber Framed Houses
More Information
Frequently asked questions answered
Fire:We all put logs on our fires, but to start them burning, we have to make a lot of preparation, with flammable starters and ensure plenty of air-flow. Then we not only have to try and light it (please try this without the aid of modern gadgets, such as lighters and matches), but we have to keep it burning!.
When a timber-framed building is constructed in the correct manner, as confirmed by much independent testing under strict laboratory conditions, it will offer a minimal contribution in the starting of any fire, with some fires, that may start within the cavity, due to faulty wiring, even extinguishing them selves. Of any fires that have affected timber-framed houses, there have been many stories of slow-burning fires, and a lack of ignition or fire-feeding within wooden homes. To ease any concerns you may have even further, nowadays, there is an abundance of wood preservatives and finishes that will protect wood from just about anything, including fire.
We insist that the manufacturer carries out the full treatment, with chemicals against both fire and termites etc, as a standard procedure to all houses that we supply.
Natural Movement and Shrinkage of wood:
Yes, it is natural for untreated wood to crack, twist and shrink. This occurs when the moisture content of the wood reduces to match the surrounding environmental humidity, and can result in some very distorted shapes when not given the correct treatment. The correct preparation would involve placing the cut wood into drying ovens with the temperature and humidity closely monitored, until the wood reaches it’s Equilibrium Moisture Content (ie: the correct water content eventually arrived at by the timber in air, with a constant temperature and constant humidity). This reduces any movement and shrinkage to a minimum.
Where large beams are to be on show, it is normal to use a “Gluelam” beam, in preference to the standard type which will still experience the above mentioned problems to a degree, but are normally only used where they are not to be on show. This does not cause any problems to the construction, and is only exchanged for the Gluelam beam for visual and cosmetic purposes. A Glulam beam is made, technically speaking, from sections of the beam cut length ways, treated in the drying-room and then laminated in layers, or glued together, normally grain against grain, thus cancelling any resistance, splitting or movement that may normally take place.
Insulation:
Wood itself is a natural insulator and is commonly used in both very hot and extremely cold climates (for example: The Americas, Canada, Africa, and in both Alpine and Baltic regions).
Generally speaking, a timber-framed house (assuming the correct insulation material and thickness is used in the cavity) is better insulated than a standard-built house.
The houses we supply would have a 14cm frame thickness and cavity filled with mineral wool insulation. The internal walls, and upstairs floor, can also be filled with insulation as a noise / sound barrier.
The structure, depending on the covering to walls, generally has the following insulation constants:
“R” value (R=1/l) = 2.06 – 2.00 M² K/W
“k” value (k=1/R) = 0.33 – 0.49 W/ M² K
Phonic Insulation = 23 – 44 dB
“IF YOU CAN DREAM IT……WE CAN BUILD IT.”
If you have decided that you would like to live in a Timber-framed house, but are not sure exactly what you really want, we can help you with the design if you wish, to suit your own requirements.
To help us in this respect, we suggest taking photographs of others you like, or even cutting out pictures from magazines would be very helpful.
The next step is to contact us with either your ideas or any questions you feel have not already been answered here.
For pricing, we would need to discuss your requirements in more detail, but as a guide, if we were to supply just the house as a shell (without land, preparation of foundations, roof tiles etc - as a direct order to the manufacturer), prices would start from 600€ / m². For example, a good sized, 3 bedroom property would have a base cost of only 60,000€.
| CONTACT US |