the wood and wood products industry
Building with Wood
Wood is the ultimate sustainable building material. Find out more about each topic by scrolling down and clicking on the quick links to the right.
Not only is it good to build with, it is the best way to get products around the world. Learn more about timber and packaging by clicking here.
Timber Frame
As its name implies, timber frame construction is a method of building that relies on a timber frame as a basic means of structural support. Timber frame is a precision engineered structure that is remarkably strong and durable. Timber frame is the fastest growing method of construction in the UK. Its environmental and overall sustainability credentials are second to none. Timber frame also delivers high build quality, excellent thermal efficiency, acoustic and fire performance, a faster and more efficient construction process and the opportunity to design beautiful, adaptable and durable homes as a lasting legacy.
Do you have a question about timber frame construction? Contact the UK Timber Frame Association today or find out much more by visiting their website.
On the 11 November 2011, the UKTFA launched its guide to Living in a Modern Timber Frame House - Click Here to download it!
Timber Walls
What is widely described as 'timber frame' is not the only construction method available for wall construction. Other systems include Solid Wood Panels (SWP), an engineered wood system where the wall is manufactured from glue-laminated wood panels, and SIPS (Structurally Insulated Panels). For more information on SWP and SIPS please click here. LVL and Glulam can also be used in the main framing of buildings, especially for large structures such as schools and sports arenas (see the Engineered Timber section below).
Timber Roofs
Trussed rafters are individually designed components made from kiln-dried, strength-graded timber joined together with steel nailplates. They provide a structural framework to support the roof fabric, ceilings and/or floors. Trussed rafters can be used on a wide range of building types including timber frame, masonry and steel frame. Trussed rafters stand out as a sophisticated and highly-engineered product, with superior fabrication underpinned by high production standards. They are more flexible and more cost effective than many other methods of roof construction.
For expert advice and technical information on trussed rafters please visit the Trussed Rafter Association Website.
Engineered Timber Products
Over recent years, a range of engineered wood products has been developed and introduced giving specifiers more choice and ability to use wood products in situations where conventional timber would not always be viable.
Engineered Products such as plywood, Glulam (glue laminated timber), LVL (laminated veneered lumber) and timber I-beams are commonplace. Other lesser known variations include parallel strand lumber, such as ‘Parallam’, and ‘laminated strand lumber’.
All are able to offer the aesthetic and environmental benefits of wood, along with additional properties and strengths often associated with materials such as steel or concrete.
Glue Laminated Timber
Glulam is made from layers of parallel timber laminates (normally spruce or pine) glued together under high pressure using weather resistant glue that can be specfied as either dark or light. Glulam sections are now frequently used in the construction of large span structures ranging from schools to supermarkets, large stadia or smaller demountable buildings.
Glulam structures are a highly sustainable alternative to concrete or steel beams and offer additional benefits of low thermal conductivity, eliminating cold-bridging from external to internal surfaces, as well as significantly reduced carbon footprints.
For further information on glulam beams please visit the Glue Laminated Timber Association Website.
Cross Laminated Timber (CLT)
Cross laminated timber panels are made from single-layer timber boards (usually spruce or pine) which are glued together at right angles to one another in order to form large-format solid timber panels for use as planar structural elements. Wall, floor and roof elements are manufactured to any given dimension and shape, with pre-cut openings for doors, windows, stairs, and service runs. Individual panels can be up to 16m long. CLT structures are highly sustainable alternatives to concrete and framed structures offering high levels of airtightness, fire performance and thermal stability. CLT buildings have a very low carbon footprint due to the high level of carbon stored within the building structure.
For a list of suppliers click here
