When envisioning an eco-friendly residence, the image often leans towards designs like timber frame eco-homes with green roofs. However, the environmental friendliness of a house is not always immediately apparent.
Innovations in construction technology, including entire building systems and elements like glazing, now allow for more diverse design options while still achieving high performance and energy efficiency goals.
For certain individuals, simply constructing a thermally efficient home is not sufficient. They also prioritize sourcing materials and labour sustainably, aiming for local and renewable sources. This approach minimizes the embodied energy in the construction process, aligning with their desire for overall sustainability.
What is timber frame home design?
Among various timber framing systems, the most prevalent is the “Platform Frame” type, featuring large prefabricated frames or cassettes measuring around 2.4m in height and 3.6m in width.
Typically, these frames are equipped with a breather membrane on the outer side, while insulation and vapor control barriers, which are installed on the interior side, are not included.
In a timber frame construction, the timber frame acts as the inner skin of a cavity wall. From the exterior inward, a timber frame wall section includes a masonry outer leaf, a 50 mm cavity, and a breather membrane attached to the timber frame.
Within the frame, insulation is installed, and a vapor barrier is applied to the inner surface to prevent water vapor from reaching the insulation. The interior surface is then finished with a plasterboard for completion.
Timber frame home design advantages
1. Speed of construction
Timber frame homes typically have a slightly faster construction time, although the difference may not be as significant as commonly perceived. When factoring in the lead times required for ordering frames, the overall time difference may be smaller than often assumed.
2. Environmentally friendly material
It is widely acknowledged that concrete ranks among the least environmentally friendly construction materials for homes. Thus, replacing the inner blockwork skin with a timber frame undoubtedly offers a more environmentally friendly alternative.
3. More energy efficient
This presents a bit of a twist, as both cavity and timber frame construction can be tailored to achieve high levels of energy efficiency. The key metric here is the u-value, which can be specified according to desired standards by adjusting factors such as:
- Insulation thickness
- Wall section
- Cavity size.
Timber frame construction stands out for its capacity to achieve very low u-values without significantly increasing wall width. This is possible because insulation can be seamlessly integrated within the timber frame.
In contrast, traditional cavity construction often requires widening the cavity and potentially adding insulation behind the plasterboard to achieve lower u-values, resulting in a considerable wall thickness increase.
Conclusion
In the quest for eco-friendly homes, balancing thermal efficiency with sustainable sourcing is paramount. While timber frame construction offers advantages, including quicker build times and lower embodied energy, it is crucial to consider all aspects. Utilizing tools like a cost calculator can aid in making informed decisions for environmentally conscious and economically viable housing solutions.