Timber Frame Ireland

Majority of Self Builders want their new home to be environmentally sustainable

A recent survey by BLP Insurance finds 78% of people in the UK say they consider environmental sustainable performance while building a new home

The survey found when asked about environmentally sustainable features, almost a quarter of participants ranked energy efficient heating and hot water systems as their top priority if they were choosing a new home, followed by double glazing, and solar panels.

But what does it means to have a sustainable home?

Many of us associate the term ‘sustainable home’ with expensive living costs and adding expensive extras to our homes that promise to save us money. In fact, a sustainable home is achieved firstly in the architectural stage and is built to reduce the overall environmental impact during and after construction.

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. For Self Builders looking to achieve an environmentally, sustainable home, they look towards Timber Frame which achieves an Energy Rating of A3, well above the standard building regulations set in 2008! See BER energy rating below.

Environment

Timber Frame uses fewer 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.

Performance evidence from Structural  Timber Frame and TRADA, found that Timber frame houses provide ten times the thermal and sound insulation of that of a block built house and can benefit homeowners with savings of 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.

How can I ensure my house is environmental sustainable

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, due to the nature of the timber. 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 insulating 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.

Design

Timber frame is designed 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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