FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Flitcraft is committed to providing exceptional customer service, high-quality workmanship, and competitive pricing. Our team of experienced professionals works closely with clients to ensure that their projects are completed on time and to the clients specifications.

Timber frame construction offers extensive internal design flexibility since internal walls do not bear structural loads, and the roof space is often functional. Our typical timber frame system consists of prefabricated panels comprised of 140mm timber studs at 600mm intervals, featuring OSB sheathing and a reflective breather membrane. The inherent dimensional precision of our timber frame kits ensures vertical and flat walls, square rooms, simplifying decoration, carpeting, and the installation of fitted furniture, thus enhancing the quality of your home's finish.

Due to the majority of construction activities occurring in controlled factory settings, including the assembly of external panels and the precise trimming of internal partitions, joists, and rafters, the margin for error is minimised. A timber frame house is a durable modern construction method, comparable to other standard housing forms.

Our timber frame houses exemplify precision engineering, boasting remarkable strength and durability. Each project we undertake is entirely bespoke, allowing for tailored designs that reflect your unique preferences and requirements.

While many associate timber frame construction with smaller builds like bungalows, it is a versatile method suitable for a wide range of building types. From grand mansions and quaint country cottages to multi-storey flats and hotels reaching up to six floors, timber frame proves highly effective in diverse architectural designs.

Timber frame construction is a venerable and proven method with roots dating back over a millennium in the UK. It remains the predominant form of house construction in regions such as Scandinavia, North America and New Zealand. In the UK, contemporary timber frame construction has swiftly gained popularity for its excellence in house building.

Timber-framed houses often mimic the appearance of traditionally built homes, as the outer façade can be clad in various materials including stone, bricks, tiles, rendered blockwork, or wood. The distinguishing feature lies within the structural and internal walls, where an engineered wooden frame filled with insulation materials replaces traditional concrete blocks.

Globally, timber frame construction accounts for over 70% of all new housing in advanced countries, highlighting its widespread acceptance and effectiveness in modern construction practices.

U-values quantify the rate of heat loss for building components, such as complete wall, floor, and roof constructions, and are denoted in W/m²K. They represent the amount of heat lost in watts (W) per square meter of the building element when the exterior temperature (K) is at least one degree lower than the interior temperature. A lower U-value signifies superior insulation provided by the element. It's crucial to note that individual materials do not possess U-values; rather, complete elements encompassing all construction materials contribute to their performance.

Our closed panel system, renowned for its exceptional insulation, achieves an impressive U-value as low as 0.13 W/m²K. This surpasses the energy efficiency standards outlined in current Building Regulations. Consequently, our timber frame homes are cost-effective to operate, heating up rapidly and retaining warmth for extended periods.

Timber frame construction typically offers cost advantages compared to masonry, although the actual savings will vary based on specific design factors. When evaluating different construction methods, it's crucial to ensure that performance standards across various systems are comparable and that project timelines are clearly understood.

Timber frame construction is renowned for its speed and reliability, largely due to a significant portion of the work being completed off-site in controlled factory conditions. This accelerated construction process reduces on-site preliminary work and labor costs. Additionally, with fewer opportunities for weather-related delays or other construction setbacks, the cost predictability of a timber frame build is notably higher, presenting a significant advantage for self-builders.

Timber is sourced from renewable forests with independent chain of custody certification, ensuring sustainable practices. Our adherence to the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and the Programme for Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) aligns with global forestry standards.

As a natural material, timber aids in carbon dioxide removal from the environment, sequestering and storing carbon throughout its growth cycle and the lifespan of buildings. Compared to other common construction materials, timber boasts lower embodied energy, contributing to reduced environmental impact.

Furthermore, timber products are actively reused, recycled, and repurposed, with excess material utilised for energy production, further enhancing its eco-friendly profile.

The erection process typically ranges from 5 to 15 days, contingent upon the size and complexity of the build. Upon completion by our erectors, you'll have a fully assembled structure, including internal and external walls, floors, and roof structure.

Following this stage, you'll need to felt, batten, and apply your chosen roof finish to provide stability to the structure and mitigate potential settlement issues in the future. Importantly, this step ensures a watertight structure, ready for subsequent trades.

While external materials such as brick, stone, or cladding are being applied, your internal trades can commence work concurrently. This allows plasterers, electricians, and plumbers to work simultaneously, resulting in a significantly expedited build process. Moreover, it facilitates a more organised and predictable schedule, minimising downtime for your tradesmen.

Our timber frame components, while sturdy, are lightweight and convenient to transport. This feature makes timber frame construction ideal for remote locations and sites with challenging ground conditions where heavier construction methods may not be feasible.

It is a common misconception that timber frame buildings transmit sound more readily than masonry construction. With accurate detailing, we ensure an acoustic performance is notably better than is required by regulations.

A growing number of our customers are choosing open metal web floor joists over traditional solid timber floor joists. This innovative joist construction simplifies the integration of services within the floor zone, reducing the risk of damage to the structure and compromising the house's integrity by subsequent trades. Additionally, these joists enable easier incorporation of longer spans into the design of your new home.

A significant advantage of our timber frame houses lies in their exceptional airtightness, which minimises uncontrolled heat loss and eliminates unpleasant draughts. Achieved through precision engineering of all panels in our purpose-built factory under controlled conditions, our houses boast airtightness that surpasses traditional construction methods. This meticulous approach simplifies the on-site erection process, ensuring that all components fit together precisely as designed and specified.

This question is commonly raised and the answer is No, It's important to note that all buildings constructed in the UK, regardless of the method used, must comply with the same set of Building Regulations. Government statistics on building fires demonstrate a close correlation between the number of fires in timber frame buildings and those constructed using other methods.

Statement of Facts

Environmental Sustainability

Timber stands as the epitome of eco-friendly construction material. Over its lifespan, a tree absorbs tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. By utilizing timber from sustainably managed forests and incorporating CFC-free insulation, timber frame construction emerges as the environmentally conscious choice.

Our Surroundings

Self-builders, builders, architects, and project managers now exhibit a heightened awareness of the potential environmental impact of their projects. This awareness, coupled with government initiatives and evolving building regulations aimed at achieving zero-carbon buildings, underscores the timber frame industry's ability to contribute significantly to sustainable construction practices for sustainable communities.

We harness the full potential of timber frame design by minimizing raw material waste during both manufacturing and construction processes, contributing positively to our planet's well-being.

Your home will reflect your unique vision. Some of our clients opt for a distinctive timber frame aesthetic, showcasing exposed beams or portal frames, while others prefer a more subtle approach. The choice is entirely yours. The final appearance of your home is entirely customizable. Whether you prefer traditional finishes or desire something bold and unconventional like glass or marble, the decision rests in your hands. Our team is committed to collaborating with you to craft the perfect home, meticulously attending to every detail to ensure it fulfills your dreams.

Building societies, banks, and insurance companies widely acknowledge timber frame construction for lending purposes. In fact, numerous lenders provide specialised stage payment schemes tailored for self-builders.