Why choose wood-frame construction?

Below you will find eight reasons.

• STRENGTH •

Contrary to common belief wood-frame houses are strong and sturdy. Only dry wood is used for construction of wood-frame houses (15-18% moisture content), surfaced four sides with rounded edges (S4S).

Also engineered wood, such as for example: TJI (I-joist), LVL (Laminated Veneer Lumber, Microllam), PSL (Parallel Strand Lumber, Parallam), LSL (TimberStrand, a.k.a. Rim Board), is being phased in.

All these products feature exceptional strength and durability.

Glued-laminated timber is available also from Polish manufacturers, sold under names KVH and BSH and is perfectly suited for wood-framed construction.

• Low Overall Weight Of The Building •

Wood-frame houses put less weight on the foundations, and, as such they do not require foundations as massive as in conventional buildings. Needless to say, this means savings in construction cost.

• SAFETY •

The timber material used in timber-framed construction is fire-retardant. Wood does not crack when exposed to high temperature like concrete, does not become soft as iron does and does not emit toxic gases during fire. Even when exposed to high temperatures for a longer time it performs better than steel in terms of load bearing capacity.

• Low Cost •

A typical wood-framed single-family house can be erected within weeks. The overall cost of construction and finishing is lower, as compared to a similar house of standard construction.

• DESIGN •

Owing to the high strength combined with a relatively low weight and flexibility, wood construction allows to eliminate most of the limitations typical of conventional constructions. Thus, it may become an inspiration for a creative architect, resulting in interesting and ingenious architecture.

• EASY REFURBISHMENT •

Any alteration and/or refurbishment is much easier and quicker in the case of wood-framed constructions.

• GOOD THERMAL PERFORMANCE •

Wood-framed buildings feature good thermal performance. This translates into less heating cost as compared to other construction types.

• SUSTAINABLE •

Wood-framed construction is consistent with care for the natural environment which is becoming more and more important in our everyday life.

All the above features of timber-framed houses are a result of a few centuries of world-wide experience, mainly from Scandinavia, Canada and the USA.

Based on several years of my experience from the US I can assure you that meeting meet these very basic requirements, namely:

  1. an appropriate building design;
  2. an experienced and reliable contractor;
  3. an appropriate material (15-18% moisture content);

is enough to succeed with a timber framed-construction, that is to have a house of your dreams which will last for many years to come.

Dariusz Małachowski – Eagle Wood Structure

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