STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS


Structural timber: a smart choice


Andrew Orriss of the Structural Timber Association (STA) looks at timber as a sustainable, low-carbon building choice, increasingly popular among UK seluildes o its envionental and actical enefi ts


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n recent years, structural timber has emerged as the material of choice for an increasing number of self-builders


across the UK. There are lots of reasons behind this surge in popularity, not least the fact that this is one of the most environmentally responsible ways of building a house. With its low embodied carbon and being a sustainable material, not to mention its carbon capture properties, timber frame construction is most defi nitely a geat choice o those ate a method of building that has minimal impact on the world around us. As we see timber construction methods being used in over a quarter of all new homes nationally, there’s never been a better time to consider the enefi ts this vesatile ateial can ing to your self-build project.


THE TIMBER ADVANTAGE


Building with structural timber offers multiple advantages that align perfectly with the needs and aspirations of today’s self-builders. Firstly, timber construction delivers exceptional environmental credentials. As a renewable resource ith tyically fi ve tees eing lanted for every tree farmed) that actively stores carbon, timber helps reduce the carbon ootint o you uild signifi cantly For every cubic metre of timber used instead of alternative materials, you’ll save approximately one tonne of carbon dioxide emissions.


Structural timber solutions make highly enegy efi cient uildings easie by placing larger amounts of insulation into the timber structural elements. This means your home will require less energy to heat, reducing both your environmental impact and your energy bills for decades to come. Speed is another compelling advantage. With much of the fabrication taking place in factory-controlled conditions, structural timber frames


can typically be erected onsite in under to eeks his signifi cantly educes overall project timelines and minimises the disruption often associated with traditional construction methods. Any structural method created in a factory away from the building site comes under the bracket of offsite manufacture. It is a broad term covering a number of options, namely timber frame, Structural Insulated Panel Systems s and oak ae all enefi ting from short construction timescales and guaranteed build quality.


OFFSITE MANUFACTURE EXPLAINED Intelligent, integrated construction systems such as closed panel timber frame and SIPs are now driving innovation in the timber industry, giving you more choice. Fundamentally, offsite construction describes structural systems that are factory-manufactured to an advanced level to allow for onsite assembly (as opposed to construction) via controlled installation processes. Exact levels of prefabrication can vary, o actoyfi tted insulation and pre-cut service channels through to panels that come complete with windows and doors already installed. Even intenal fi nishes and etenal cladding can be pre-applied.


CUSTOM-BUILD: A GROWING OPPORTUNITY While full self-builds remain popular, ee seeing signifi cant goth in the custom-build sector, where small and medium-sized developers are ceating schees o fi ve to  units These developments allow individuals to customise their homes without taking on the full responsibility of a traditional self-build. This approach is gaining momentum partly due to recent legislation requiring local authorities to meet demand from self-build registers, which has improved planning prospects for custom-build developments. Additionally, these oects oten enefi t o eetions such as the Community Infrastructure evy aking the fi nancially attactive for both developers and buyers.


FINANCING YOUR TIMBER FRAME PROJECT One persistent myth is that securing mortgages for timber frame construction is difi cult o e asolutely clea this is no longer the case. Mainstream lenders now readily provide mortgages for timber frame homes, recognising the material’s proven performance and longevity.


The mortgage landscape has evolved


signifi cantly to accoodate oden construction methods. Specialist providers like BuildStore now offer innovative otgage oducts secifi cally designed for self-builders using structural timber systems. These include ‘accelerator mortgages’ which release funds before build stages are completed – a crucial advantage when working with offsite construction methods that require upfront payments.


Perhaps most encouragingly, these secialised fi nance otions ae inceasingly availale to fi sttie uyes With products offering up to 95% fi nance o oth land and uild costs timber frame construction has become accessible to a much wider audience.


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