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Four-storey timber frame buildings have been built extensively for the last 20 years.

 

The first 6-storey timber frame building of its kind in the world was built over 10 years ago.  It was the testing ground for the TF2000 project, a comprehensive research project into the structural stability, robustness and fire safety of multi-storey timber frame construction (see also Timber Frame and Fire Safety).

 

The results of the TF2000 project have provided reliable guidance on the construction of buildings with 5 or more storeys ever since. They prove that timber platform frame techniques are inherently robust through the interconnectivity of walls and floor panels. 

 

These research findings and technical guidance have also been the catalyst for major growth in the popularity and success of timber frame construction for apartments and flats.

 

This has already allowed the construction of a 7-storey building in Bedminster in Bristol and there are plans for a possible 8-storey project. Another exciting development involved using a complete 6-storey Victorian building as a foundation and adding 5 timber frame storeys on top.

 

Timber frame is completely accepted by financial institutions, insurers and building inspectors as a suitable medium rise construction method. 

 

The recent National Audit Office report also confirms that multi-storey buildings favour modern methods of construction like timber frame because costs rise faster for brick and block construction than for off-site manufactured elements.

 

To order a copy of ‘Multi-storey timber frame buildings: A design guide’ please click here.

 

• Timber frame delivers a financial boost to public and private sector developers in England and Wales of up to £35 per square metre. (See Table 9, Page 15)
• Timber frame is already cost comparable to traditional brick and block construction methods. Open panel timber frame construction in England and Wales currently costs £798 per square metre, compared to £799 per square metre for traditional brick and block construction.
• Housebuilders have the capacity to build one additional house per week with exactly the same cost and resources if they swap to a modern method of construction such as timber frame.
• Registered social landlords and housing associations using timber frame construction and similar modern methods of construction benefit from earlier rental income streams and can draw down Social Housing Grant earlier, which reduces interest payments on capital to fund developments.
• Snagging costs are reduced by a third compared to masonry homes because of the tighter quality control of factory-produced components.
• The need for on-site inspection decreases as the amount of off-site work increases.
• Timber frame construction (both open and closed panel systems) requires 20% fewer on-site labour days than masonry construction, and ensures a significantly faster construction period overall.
• Timber frame homes are weathertight in almost half the time, leading to important quality, efficiency and health and safety benefits.
• There are no high risks associated with open panel timber frame, compared to traditional construction which is perceived to be at high risk of price fluctuations, delays due to bad weather, lack of key trade skills, service installation faults, health and safety hazards, construction errors and other defects at handover.
• Multi-storey buildings favour modern methods of construction like timber frame because the costs of complying with stringent building regulations for high-rise buildings increase faster for brick and block construction than for off-site manufactured elements.
• Timber frame systems are also particularly suited to brownfield sites with poor soil conditions (sites that favour lighter buildings), and sites with restricted access.