In timber construction, the Timber Frame system is the most widely used construction technique, allowing great freedom of architectural expression.

It is ideal for both new constructions and extensions. A house in Timber Frame combines lightness and sturdiness.

Depending on the degree of prefabrication, our Timber Frame constructions can be delivered fully equipped, with exterior carpentry and included coatings, offering a speed of execution without setting or drying times characteristic of the construction with wet conglomerates (conventional construction).

The reduced thickness of its walls optimizes the living space (+/- 8% more than in bricks), besides increasing the comfort of its occupants, thanks to insulating materials that regulate the interior humidity, with low thermal inertia and absence of thermal bridges (+/- 30% of heat losses in traditional construction).

Suitable for any type of site (landlocked lot, narrow, unstable, steeply sloped, …), a wood frame construction is up to 7 times lighter than a concrete construction and 17 times lighter than steel, requiring much less substantial and less expensive foundations and is suitable for low lift fields, or in poorly stabilized areas.

The solution to a dry, clean, fast and energy-efficient construction.

FOUNDATIONS

A Timber Frame structure is usually built on a concrete slab, on the ground or on a crawl space, allowing the construction to rise 20 cm above ground level. A sealing strip at the base prevents the rise of moisture in the walls through capillarity.

THE WALLS

Timber Frame: is a contemporary version, of American origin, of the half-timbering technique. The structure is composed of a skeleton of uprights and crosspieces, the set being braced with structural boards of wood derivative. A “platform” type Timber Frame structure is characterized by one-story high walls, with the first-floor slab serving as a platform for the next floor.

Bracing: the structure is braced by wood panels inside and/or outside the building. The bracing allows the stability and rigidity of the structure under the horizontal and vertical loads.

Sealing: the Timber Frame includes 3 types of watertightness. The impermeability to water on the outside and resistance to air and water vapor from the inside.

The first is achieved by coating the structure with a rain barrier membrane or by external insulation of the same characteristics, on which are secured slats that will receive the outer coating (ventilated façade).

The second and third are made thanks to wood-based panels that we use on the inner face of the structure; in addition to their mechanical bracing characteristics, these panels act as a watertightness and water vapor regulation barrier.

Insulation: Timber Frame includes thermal insulation inserted between the uprights. A supplement can be placed inside and/or outside (ITI and ITE) to meet energy standards.

Outer coating: Timber Frame can be completed by various types of exterior wood coatings (lined with overlapping panels, embedded, ajar, … according to architectural desires), composite wood (wood resin panels, wood fiber with cement, …), metal coating, ceramic, stone or possibly plaster.

The inner coating: Timber Frame is usually coated from the inside with plasterboard or wood liner.

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