Choosing a timber-frame …
Entry posted by Dreadnaught
2631 views
My first jobs after my planning approval are to: (i) choose a timber-frame supplier; and (ii) arrange a conversation with my arboriculturalist. This post is about the (i). The next post will be about (ii).
Timber-frame suppliers:
- I am in touch with the usual names known to this forum. Not sure if I should be naming names here. Six in total.
- Two companies supply panellised frames with a range of insulation levels, including open panel and double stud.
- Two companies supply I-beam-based frames, one of which is a company local to my plot in Cambridge, just 30-min away.
- One company provides a passive-house certified I-beam frame but as a pre-cut kit, complete with all tapes, etc. Frame erection would be by my own team.
Quotes from them all are due by next Friday.
Some random thoughts on my choice …
The local company proposing an I-beam solution is interesting. Its a solution they use for school classrooms: I-Beam walls and roof filled with rock wool, although I see no reason in principle why the rock wool could not be replaced with blown cellulose. Airtightness using SIGA tapes & membranes. My dwelling is very simple in form (a simple L-shapted bungalow with a flat roof about, 125 m²) so when the rep from the this company saw that he immediately suggested this solution. Looking forward to that quote.
My plot has problematic access: small plot, about 20m x 20m, a narrow 45m access road, mature tree overhanging the only gate, no space for a big crane. So a non-panellised I-beam solution has its attractions, although I suspect I am over doing it as one of the panel-based company seemed to think they could manhandle the panels on to site pretty easily, especially for such a relatively small build.
The passive-house pre-cut kit supplier is also interesting. They provide everything from frame design to foundation design to PHPP and the kit includes Austrian passive-certified windows and MVHR system too, as well as the I-beams, all membranes and tapes, and all to a single firm price. They also include training sessions for your contractors.
If I went down the route of a stick-build, albeit pre-cut I-beams, I have met a carpenter who is doing exactly such a build at present and using the pre-cut kit provider above. He has expressed an interest about possibly coming onboard in the spring and thinks he could erect the frame in 3x weeks. That sounds quite interesting as an option.
As you can see I am mid-decision and still thinking through the pros and cons for my particular circumstances.
-
1
9 Comments
Recommended Comments
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now