But if you live in a timber frame home – or if you’re a house builder who specialises in timber frame construction – then you might be sitting on a ticking time bomb without even realising it. Condensation is the most common form of dampness in new homes. Dynamic architectural approach sets out to restore and improve the environment. Shower cubicles don’t require any tiles, grouting, or silicone. Condensation can occur on surfaces, or can be interstitial condensation occurring between the layers of the building envelope, typically as a result of air diffusing from the warm interior of the building to the cool exterior and reaching its dew point within the building fabric. It’s no wonder, then, that more than 70% of the world’s population live in timber frame homes. This enables interior trades such as plastering and electrical wiring to begin work earlier in the build programme, as the interior will be exposed to weather for less time. Sustainable flooring from super strong grass. Timber frames can be the most suitable choice if the structural shell is required quickly, if the ground conditions are particularly poor, or if the design does not include very large structural spans. There are many benefits to timber frame buildings. Cracked tiles and grouting in the bathroom are unsightly and even more susceptible to mould than usual. Protecting flora, fauna and the other natural features of Scotland. Their low thermal mass allows spaces enclosed by timber frames to heat up more quickly than masonry construction, however they will also tend to cool more quickly. But worse than that, when surrounded by damaged tiles and grouting, shower enclosures are no longer watertight. The problem is lurking in the corner of your shiny new bathroom. Are you going to have to commit to retiling and re-grouting it every few years? For all its benefits as a building material, timber does tend to shift and warp over time. The term 'timber frame' typically describes a system of panelised structural walls and floors constructed from small section timber studs, clad with board products, in which the timber frame transmits vertical and horizontal loads to the foundations. But what if you already live in a timber frame home? Unlike homes made from concrete blocks and brick, timber frames can be constructed in a matter of days rather than weeks. For either wet or dry rot to develop and pose a risk, the timber must have to have a very high moisture content (i.e. However, this is usually less time than is required for mortar drying. The risk of fire can be increased if timber frames are not erected correctly, and during construction prior to fire protection being installed. In addition, timber construction requires less CO2 to process and produce it than, for example, steel. So it’s really no exaggeration to say that a traditional shower enclosure in a timber frame home is an expensive accident waiting to happen. The HOME REFERENCE BOOK - the Encyclopedia of Homes, Carson Dunlop & Associates, Toronto, Ontario, 25th Ed., 2012, is a bound volume of more than 450 illustrated pages that assist home inspectors and home owners in the inspection and detection of problems on buildings. However, when timber burns, the outer parts char and become charcoal which insulates against heat and does not burn. This is compared to other materials such as bricks and concrete which rely on the extraction of finite raw materials. As long as this balance is maintained, the supply will be sustainable. In general, as long as a timber frame is constructed and maintained well, the conditions that are most suitable for infestation will not arise. Organisation alerts membership to findings of IHBC research. And in the short term? Because there’s no tiles or grouting, there’s no danger of cracks forming when the house warps over time. Fairer, faster, greener. The term 'timber frame' typically describes a system of panelised structural walls and floors constructed from small section timber studs, clad with board products, in which the timber frame transmits vertical and horizontal loads to the foundations. Performance can be improved by constructing two separate wall leaves with a structural break between them. Strategies to help provide safer working conditions. And should any water ever find its way into your home’s timber frame – which it most probably will – then you’re looking at the sort of rot that can jeopardise your home’s structural integrity. Timber frame structures are both strong and robust as long as they are designed and constructed properly. They look beautiful: So if you’ve got a timber frame in need of a shower cubicle, get in touch for a free quote. But the problem is that the bathroom will warp along with the house, and shower enclosures are not designed to warp. There’s no mess, and no need to worry about your bathroom being off-limited for weeks. As long as the timber structure’s moisture content is below 20%, the risk of infestation by beetles, woodworm, and so on, is relatively low. This means no leaks, so no risk of rotting, so no danger to the home’s structural integrity. You could have a clean, stylish, future-proof bathroom by this time next week. No matter what your relationship is with timber frame houses – whether you build them, manage them, or live in one – in the long-term shower cubicles will save you many headaches and a lot of money. Condensation is a particular problem in timber frame homes as the polythene vapour barrier installed behind the plasterboard, effectively seals in all the moisture generated by the occupants, through cooking and bathing. Not only do timber homes evoke the feel of contemporary country living, but they’re also durable, relatively cheap, quick to construct, eco-friendly, and can save you a lot on central heating. As we’ve already pointed out, this grouting and silicone can be a problem in itself, as both substances act as a breeding ground for unhealthy and unsightly mould. Shower cubicles and timber frame homes were made for each other. Condensation leads to mould growth and in many cases the mould and its spores can lead to health complaints and respiratory problems. Part of this break can be filled with a sound absorbent material such as mineral wool. If they are not well-maintained, external timber elements can rot over time, but in general, the frame itself is well-protected. The increased use of timber as a building material can encourage the growth of forests to provide the supply. Architecture considered somewhere between 'sublime and beautiful'. 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