Homes - focus on timber buildings

The good in the wood!The good in the wood! Thomas Hoepfner, from Bright Forest Ltd, answers your questions about timber buildings.Thomas Hoepfner, from Bright Forest Ltd, answers your questions about timber buildings.

Timber can burn, isn’t this Timber can burn, isn’t this dangerous?

dangerous? There is a difference between There is a difference between timber-frame and mass-timber timber-frame and mass-timber buildings; mass-timber will char. buildings; mass-timber will char. All timber buildings must comply All timber buildings must comply with strict fire regulations. with strict fire regulations.

Is it healthier to live in a Is it healthier to live in a timber house?

timber house? We feel intuitively at home We feel intuitively at home surrounded with timber and, as with surrounded with timber and, as with any new builds, it’s very important any new builds, it’s very important with modern timber buildings not to with modern timber buildings not to use harmful chemicals and paints. use harmful chemicals and paints.

What about when it gets wet?

What about when it gets wet? Timber has to stay dry to be Timber has to stay dry to be durable. Modern, well-planned durable. Modern, well-planned buildings keep the timber dry and buildings keep the timber dry and allow for a long life. allow for a long life.

What about the heating bills?

What about the heating bills? Depending on the level of Depending on the level of insulation and the craftsmanship, insulation and the craftsmanship, heating bills are significantly lower. heating bills are significantly lower. Some timber buildings don’t Some timber buildings don’t need heating at all, but masonry need heating at all, but masonry buildings always need more because buildings always need more because the walls have to be heated too. the walls have to be heated too.

How does the price compare How does the price compare with traditional builds?

with traditional builds? It is a little bit more expensive, It is a little bit more expensive, but the building times are much but the building times are much shorter, and the building doesn’t shorter, and the building doesn’t need to dry out before you move in. need to dry out before you move in.

Can I choose from Can I choose from different designs?

different designs? Timber houses come in different Timber houses come in different styles and designs. A good company styles and designs. A good company should offer a completely bespoke should offer a completely bespoke service to meet all your room service to meet all your room requirements. requirements.

What about sustainability?

What about sustainability? Building a house isn’t just for your Building a house isn’t just for your lifetime, but for generations to come. lifetime, but for generations to come. The better the quality, the better it is The better the quality, the better it is for the environment. These days we for the environment. These days we need to build as energy efficiently need to build as energy efficiently as possible, and with carefully crafted as possible, and with carefully crafted solid timber houses this is more solid timber houses this is more than achievable. than achievable.

For more details on For more details on solid timber houses, email solid timber houses, email design@brightforest.co.uk design@brightforest.co.uk or call 01379 886022. or call 01379 886022.