Building Design

Timber Frame dwellings being highly energy efficient not only save on the amount of energy required to heat them, but also use less energy resources during their building.

The structural framework uses stress graded softwood timber from sustainably managed forests. The replanting programme in these forests ensures that there are 3 trees planted for every 2 trees cut down, leaving a net growth in the volume of trees every year, with no cost to the environment.

Timber is recognised as the only renewable construction material with the softwoods used in fabrication coming from environmentally sustainable forests. The embodied energy in timber is low, even when taking into account transport and treatment requirements and the processing of timber to the finished state uses over 25% less energy than that required for other construction materials.

Timber thermal properties and the design of structural panels means that spaces between studs can be packed with of high levels of insulation material, giving the whole structure a low "U" value. Unlike traditional construction the insulation in a timber frame home is contained inside the inner leaf ensuring that not only little heat is lost but also because of the clear cavity, driving rain cannot pass through to the inner leaf of the structure. With the use of additional insulation, timber frame buildings easily meet and exceed current U values.

Timber frame homes are easy to heat and can deliver savings in heating costs of up to 40%.

The timber frame structural shell can be delivered, erected and roofed with felt and tiling battens within a matter of days which allows internal and external trades to get on with their work simultaneously saving considerable time in the build process.

Staw bales can also be used as infill to the timber frame creating very low impact insulation to the environment whist giving very high levels of insulation in a breathable wall construction.

All Future Roots home units will be required to meet high environmental standards and be visually sensitive to their location. The specification for all units will include the following:

Local or FSC certified timber
High levels of insulation (in excess of current building regulations)
High levels of air tightness to avoid undesired ingress of cold air
Controlled ventilation
Natural insulation materials and breathing wall systems
Timber windows with Low E double or triple glazing

Examples of energy-efficient self-built timber houses.

1. Hedgehog Self Build Co-op, Hogs Edge, Brighton

Post and Beam houses based on the Walter Segal method of construction incorporating high levels of Warmcell insulation and benefit from south facing solar gain This method of construction is highly suitable for sloping ground.

2. Scandinavian kit house.

Typical examples of houses manufactured from 'Forest Stewardship Council' certified timber and supplied as self-build kits. These houses are built to Swedish standards, which have an average 10% better insulation standard than the UK building regulations. They come with triple glazed windows and with full insulation for walls floors and ceilings.

Typical U values in Scandinavian Log Cabin Houses and the UK requirements

SLCH Approved document L1 %improvement

Walls              0.267           0.35                     23.7%

Windows            1.56            1.8                      13%

Roof               0.24            0.25                     4%

Ceiling            0.16            0.16                     0%

Floor              0.215           0.25                     14%