Energy efficient building
Timber Frame
Timber Frame System
Benefits of Timber Frame
Part L Regulations 2022
Timber Frame Extensions
The Process
Enhancing the quality,
speed and ease of construction
Even more impetus for this demand came in the form of the change to Building Regulations Part L (Conservation of fuel and power) which became law on 15 June 2022. This interim step towards the 2025 Future Home Standard and Future Buildings Standards placed an onus on developers, contractors and architects to meet strict new environmental standards – standards that made timber frame construction, with its many advantages over brick and block, the natural choice. As a result, the construction sector has embraced timber frames as never before, making this method the go-to solution for many new developments.
The Future Homes Standard is a criteria linked to energy efficiency that comes into play in the UK in 2025. The key purpose of the standard is to significantly reduce carbon emissions, with properties being built with 75% less carbon compared with existing regulations.
IMPORTANT
New building regulations changes to part L (conservation of fuel and power) are now in effect
The new Building Regulations Part L (Conservation of fuel and power) insists on higher building performance targets, more rigorous air tightness requirements and lower U values to achieve the revised fabric energy efficiency standards. CO2 emissions are to be reduced by 31% for dwellings. These regulation changes are the interim steps towards the arrival of the Future Home Standard and Future Buildings Standards that will come into effect in 2025.
How can Heywood Timber Engineering help achieve these new stringent standards?
Timber is a naturally well-insulated building material, timber frame is perfect for helping you hit the lower u-values demanded by the new Part L – even with thinner wall thicknesses than brick and block construction.
What’s more, the building materials used in timber frame construction produce 41% less carbon per m² than comparative masonry construction materials. That’s a significant contribution towards the lower carbon emissions set by the new building regulation.
And when it comes to the stipulated lower air-tightness levels, timber frame scores again. Thanks to the inner vapour control layer, which acts as an air seal, air-tightness below 5m2/h.m2 @ 50 Pa can be achieved without any additional measures. These levels are impossible to achieve with brick and block construction methods at the same cost, time and floor space.
A timber frame system enables you to deliver your project
These are some reasons for choosing Timber Frame over brick and block construction methods.
Faster and more efficiently
More sustainably
More cost-effectively
More reliably
Improve energy efficiency
Reduced onsite labour
We can also offer energy modelling
Working closely with expert specialists, we at Heywood Timber Engineering can also offer an Energy Modelling, Analysis and Calculations service to calculate the precise values you need to achieve the new Part L requirements. Having determined your required level of panel insulation, we then incorporate these into our design.
Timber Frame Construction
The model below show the typical construction of a Timber Frame house.
This shows details from sole plate to roof. The Timber Frame would then be clad with outer brick or stone work.
Eaves
In a standard two-story dwelling, after positioning the first-floor panels, another head binder is utilized to connect the panels together, allowing for final adjustments. Roof trusses are then positioned at designated intervals of either 400mm or 600mm centre-to-centre and secured using specialised connections.
Roof designs can vary greatly, but Heywood Timber Engineering is equipped to design roofs of any complexity to suit our timber frames. Once the roof structure is in place, third-party contractors proceed with the installation of loft insulation, external roofing materials, fascias, soffits, and rainwater goods. These finishing touches complete the roofing system.
Floor edge
To meet both structural calculations and client budget constraints, support beams are value engineered during the construction process.
Our engineered floor options effectively minimize noise issues as they are designed to be resistant to twisting and movement, unlike natural timber joists.
For joist connections and floor joists, we utilize D4 glue, while weather-protected chipboard is cut, laid, and nailed in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications.
Soleplate
Our ‘Standard’ timber frame Sole Plate consists of the following components: 140mm CLS Studwork spaced up to 600mm apart, with a width of 38mm. We provide a 9mm OSB 3 structural sheathing board or suitable alternatives to meet fire mitigation requirements. Additionally, our Heywood Timber Engineering branded Part L Membrane, known as Echofoil Exo, is included. This reflective breathable membrane contributes to the overall thermal performance of the sole plate.
Upon request, we can factory-fit 120mm polyurethane insulation, which achieves a U-value of 0.17 w/m2k. This insulation is essential for meeting the requirements of Part L regulations. To allow for third-party services and further enhance thermal performance, a 20mm service void is present on the internal face.
Once the first fix services are complete, a foil VCL (Vapour Control Layer) and plasterboard are installed by the plastering contractor. Our soleplate is a single 30mm x 140mm component, securely fixed through the DPC (Damp Proof Course) to a masonry upstand built on a standard ‘block and beam’ structural oversite. The connection between the panel and soleplate is achieved using 75mm round wire nails, spaced as per the recommendations of the structural engineer.
The Process
Heywood Timber Engineering provides a quotation within 2 weeks when receiving the online form and site drawings.
FIRE REPORT Assesses need for fire mitigation measures post-site inspection for determining necessary actions.
Order placed with deposit payment made.
Timber frame drawings produced for the customer to approve
Heywood Timber Engineering provides soleplate drawing, point and line load calculations for client's engineer to design foundations.
Manufacturing drawings produced and issued for production.
Pre-Start meeting conducted on site with client/builder to assess readiness, scaffold requirements, welfare facilities, and potential hazards.
Pre-Erect Checklist ensures smooth timber frame erection, checking for readiness, safety, and proper documentation.
Timber frame soleplates delivered initially and installed on site as per drawing (confirming dimensions and fixing details)
Timber frame kit delivered to site using suitable vehicle. Erection takes 2-3 weeks. Contracts Manager inspects progress and addresses client queries.
Timber Frame snagging & handover occurs after erector completion. Contracts Manager inspects frame, addresses issues, and guides next steps.
After completion, final invoice is issued. Upon payment, we provide structural calculations and working drawings for building control and warranty provider.
Supplying Timber Frame Panels is just the start of our service
As part of our service we can also include as an optional extra:
- factory fitted insulation – we price to supply and install 120mm PIR insulation
- fall arrest system – we price for the supply/hire/erect and dismantle of a safety platform system which allows for the timber frame to be erected quickly and safely
- labour-only for fitting fascia and soffits
- all craneage needed for the erecting of the timber frame is included within our installation package. This includes the provision of an appointed person (AP) to attend site and produce the lifting plans along with all the risk assessments and method statements required for the lifting operations.
We manufacture and supply for a whole spectrum of timber frame buildings, from large multi-occupancy residential schemes and commercial projects to smaller housing projects and single-storey extensions. Our exceptional delivery service is not limited to Yorkshire – we service sites across Cumbria, Lancashire, Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Yorkshire, Humberside, North East and the Midlands. And we can also offer nationwide delivery to all our customers where required.
Learn more about delivery
Supplied with ALL Timber Frame packages
- site drawing packs, including panel layout
- soleplate drawings along with point and line load calculations, enabling the foundations to be designed by the client’s engineer
- Health and Safety information, RAMs, etc.
- All associated metal work
- plot specific packaging delivered to the site programme
- all panels, joists, decking and trusses
- excellent communication with our delivery team and site agent
- our 3-stage delivery service which assists build on-site: delivery 1 – sole plate; delivery 2 – ground floor panels and first floor joists; delivery 3 – first floor panels and roof trusses
- All calculations approximately 2 weeks after delivery.
