Timber Framing
Warm, flexible timber structures — kept dry, treated and well-ventilated.
Timber framing uses studs, joists, rafters, beams and posts to form the structure of houses, extensions and outbuildings. It's flexible, easy to work, well-insulating and sustainable. The main risks — rot, insect attack and fire — are all manageable with good design, treated timber and proper detailing.
Common Damage
1. Rot (Wet & Dry)
- Wet rot — localised, in persistently damp timber
- Dry rot — spreads through dry timber via fungal strands
- Soft, crumbly wood and musty smells
2. Insect Attack
- Wood-boring beetles (woodworm) leaving small holes
- Termites in some regions
- Frass (fine dust) below affected timber
3. Moisture & Movement
- Swelling, shrinking and warping with humidity
- Cracks, splits and joint failure
- Loss of strength in saturated timber
4. Fire & Weathering
- Charring reduces structural section
- UV and rain degrade exposed timber
- Loss of finishes leading to faster decay
Repairs
minor Repairs
- Apply preservative treatments and sealants
- Fill cracks and splits with wood resin
- Improve ventilation to halt moisture issues
moderate Repairs
- Splice new timber to sound existing material
- Add steel plates or extra timber to strengthen
- Boron-based treatments for rot and insects
major Repairs
- Replace whole rotten or insect-damaged members
- Resin injection repairs for structural cracks
- Install structural reinforcement systems
- Address source of moisture (roof, drainage, ground contact)
New Installation
When Replacement Is Needed
- New timber-frame houses and extensions
- Loft conversions and roof structures
- Floor joists, partition walls and stud walls
- Outbuildings, garden rooms and sheds
Installation Steps
Design & Material Selection
- Calculate spans and load paths
- Specify graded, treated structural timber
- Detail moisture barriers and ventilation
Foundation & Sole Plate
- Ensure dry, level base above DPC
- Fix sole plate with DPC strip beneath
- Avoid direct timber-to-ground contact
Frame Assembly
- Erect studs, joists and rafters
- Use platform or balloon frame as designed
- Add bracing for wind and racking loads
Protection & Finish
- Install breathable membranes and DPC
- Apply fire-protective linings (plasterboard)
- Treat all cut ends with preservative
Lifespan
- Treated Structural Timber
- 60–100+ years if dry
- Untreated Internal Timber
- 100+ years if dry
- External Timber Cladding
- 20–60 years depending on species
- Preservative Treatments
- 20–30 years
Warning Signs
- Soft, spongy or crumbly wood when probed
- Musty smell in roof spaces or under floors
- Small round holes and fine dust (woodworm)
- Sagging joists or springy floors
- Visible damp staining on timber
Other Construction Services
Load-Bearing Walls
Brick, block and stone walls that carry the building safely to the foundation.
Columns & Beams
Vertical and horizontal members carrying loads through the structure.
Floor Structures
Solid, suspended and composite floors built to take the load.
Site Surveys
Mapping land, boundaries, and risks before any build begins.
Soil Testing
Ground investigation to confirm the land can carry the build.
Damage Assessment
Identifying ground and structural problems before they spread.
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