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WoodLots Feature - September 2002

Timber framed buildings are not only made from green oak. Good substitutes for oak are sweet chestnut, Robinia and yew. Softwoods can also be employed including Larch, Douglas Fir, Scots Pine, Coastal Redwood and even Spruce. There is a belief that perishable woods cannot be used but even timbers like aspen and alder have specific traditional uses including the making of shingles and clapboarding. Provided wood has the opportunity to dry out between wettings nearly all woods have a use. Preservatives can be used but are not absolutely necessary.

Large frame components are best made from the more durable heart wood timber where the exposure of both sap and juvenile wood to weathering can be minimised. The average woodland owner is probably quite capable of hewing out a good useable beam from a medium sized butt or second log in about 4 - 6 hours and this could have a value of between £75-£100. An easier way to convert logs is to let someone else do it and there are a growing number of traditional carpenters who are looking for the opportunity to select, fell and convert timbers in the woods for use in their timber frame buildings.

'Wood is an environmentally compatible material with a positive role in carbon storage and with low embedded energy. Building systems using wood frame are thermally efficient. Moreover, wood is generally recycleable, non-toxic and biodegradable. It is nice to live with. I know of no other building material that can compete with all the benefits.'
(David J Bills, Director General, Forestry Commission)

Members of the public are showing renewed interest and appreciation in timber framed buildings. They are particularly suitable for community based projects or where it is important to demonstrate a sustainable approach. Some of my clients want to be able to participate by contributing towards the development of the design or even in the creation of their building. This is has resulted in a deep felt appreciation of the finished building where a true sense of ownership has developed which is not based on money alone.

Last year I helped a novice team of 12 people to cut and raise a small frame made from sweet chestnut. It took just over a week from initial felling of the trees to the raising the frame. Developing an understanding of how a frame is designed and engineered is a little more complex but good traditional designs can be purchased from specialists. I hope that more people will aspire to build their project using timber frame and even might like to learn how to make a timber frame building for themselves. Why not have a go!

Tel: 01256 881344
Email: ken@kfhume.freeserve.co.uk Website http://www.clik.to/WorldofWood.

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