Timber Frame Construction Is Making A Comeback
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After being ousted for centuries as the building material of choice by stone, brick, and concrete, timber building is getting back into the fray. While it was long contested that timber just did not have the structural integrity of brick or stone, times are changing, and now there is technology that can give us competent timber frame floor plans which rival equivalent concrete construction.
Let’s take a look at the reasons why timber frame construction is coming back.
Structural superiority
While it was true that other building materials used over the years had superior mechanical strength, technology has made wood much stronger. New methods of formulating timber like cross-laminated timber (CLT) are much stronger than regular timber that we’ve been using all these years. And the age-old myth of wood not being able to be used for constructing tall buildings are fast disappearing. There are apartments built out of timber treated with various processes that are 8 stories high.
Energy requirements
Timber constructions are tremendously energy efficient to build as well as to maintain, when compared to more traditional construction methods. There is also far less waste material generated during construction of a timber building. Since they are a lot lighter than concrete buildings, less energy is required to construct a timber houses.
Insulation
Since wood is a natural insulator, it keeps the temperature lower during the summers and higher during winters. This drives down heating/cooling costs of timber buildings considerably, and thus making them a lot less of a burden through the years.
Cost
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Timber construction methods are considerably less expensive than concrete and steel framed buildings. While it is true that brick buildings are cheaper than timber, the latter requires far less maintenance and has structural advantages like better insulation and more durability.
Environmentally friendly
Considering the looming threat of global warming, it helps to reduce our carbon footprint. Timber is a renewable resource and is far less taxing on the environment to produce and maintain. We all need to move to zero-carbon housing solutions and opting for timber construction is a step in that direction.
Speed
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With the advent of new technology, CLT to be precise, timber panels are usually made in the factory and assembled onsite. Plus, it has no drying out time associated with brick and block construction which can run into weeks. This makes timber framing one of the fastest methods of construction we have today.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are numerous reasons to move to timber wood as a viable alternative for construction. While structural concrete tech has also been advancing, wood is a much easier and a cost-effective alternative for elaborate and attractive designs. There are several options for you to consider if you’re looking at timber homes. If you would like to check out great looking timber frame house plans, head over to Hamill Creek – they have a number of beautiful and functional plans for you to peruse.
This blog post was contributed by Tyler of Hamillcreek.com
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