Timber Frame Home

How to build a sustainable home

What it means to have a sustainable home

Many of us associate the term ‘sustainable home’ with expensive living costs and smart gadgets that save us money but really sustainable homes are homes that can actually save you money when you factor in the life-cycle costs, utility expensive and maintenance needs.

A sustainable home is designed to reduce the overall environmental impact during and after construction in such a way that we can meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations, we can do this by:

  • Efficiently using energy, water, land and other resources
  • Protecting occupant health
  • Reducing greenhouse gases, pollution, waste and environmental degradation

When starting a self build project, you have the ability to rectify and make a sustainable change by selecting smarter building choices.

A sustainable house is one that uses energy and material more effectively both in production and operation while polluting and damaging natural systems as little as possible. This is why when speaking to our customers we remind them that Timber house construction has less waste materials because most of the construction is done off-site in our controlled factory settings and due to the nature of the build, timber frame houses are highly energy efficient.

An energy-efficient home retains the best quality living environment for its occupants living while minimizing the consumption and waste of energy, having a higher energy-efficient rate than a traditional build, it’s not surprising that Timber frame houses provide excellent thermal and sound insulation with the benefits of home owners saving up to £1000 on annual heating costs, and 70% on overall energy costs according to UKTF. This Remarkable energy efficiency also means that houses stay warmer for longer once they have been heated.

 

Building a sustainable Home with timber frame kits

So, Now you know you can run a more cost effective home with a sustainable choices, how do you ensure you build a sustainable home?

Heating Costs

Building a timber frame structure can save hundreds of pounds a year in heating and cooling costs. How much you save depends on the size of the house and climate conditions. The larger the house, the greater the savings. Homes in colder climates will save more in heating expenses, and those in warmer climates will have the lowest cooling costs. You can also install smaller heating and cooling equipment, which can save you hundreds or even thousands of pounds.

Airtightness

While efficient thermal insulation is undoubtedly the key elements in preventing heat loss within a home, problem areas exist at the joints where surfaces such as walls, roofs, windows and doors meet. In order to achieve the A3 BER ratings for our timber frame houses, our team at QTF Homes have to ensure that all such joints are airtight to prevent all draughts that may enter the structure. Air tightness is accomplished by ensuring that all joints are adequately sealed to prevent air and vapour permeating between the insulated layers, which as well as energy loss can lead to problems such as condensation and damp mould.

Environment

At QTF Homes we are committed to promoting environmentally friendly, sustainable houses. All of the timber used in the construction of your house is sourced from sustainable forests. By choosing QTF Homes for your project, you have a partner dedicated to providing a home to enjoy for generations to come.
Timber frames are easier to heat and keep warm and can offer you savings of as much as 70 per cent on energy costs. Because timber frame is so design flexible, it’s easy for you to incorporate your own ideas. Creating your own design is fun and extremely satisfying – and it ensures that your new home has all the facilities and features that you and your family require.

If you wish to find out more about the benefits of sustainable living with QTF Homes timber frame kits please email [email protected] or see our benefits page. 

READ MORE: Why choose QTF Homes as your timber frame provider?

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