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On Monday this week I spent the day at Napier University in Edinburgh visiting the Centre for Timber Engineering. For anyone interested in the timber industry, and for me particularly in the use of timber in construction, it's a fascinating place.
Of course much of the increasing use of timber framing is softwood stud framing or as it is known in the states and increasingly here, balloon framing. For this, kiln dried, small section (typically 100mm x 50mm) softwood is used to prefabricate buildings for large scale developments. It's popularity is increasing rapidly as its use in combination with engineered timber floor beams is proving to be an extremely cost effective, sustainable approach that meets all the current thermal and acoustic building regulations.
However what is apparent is that, like us, Napier are eager to develop a better understanding of the use of large section (typically 1750mm x 175mm upwards) green timber in construction. Of course this is our area of expertise, hence their suggestion that we develop a closer partnership. It may seem absurd that with hundreds of years of period timber framing behind us we're still trying to understand how best to use the material. The reality is that we have the expertise to continue building traditional timber frames using age old techniques very successfully. However, architects and engineers are frequently pushing the boundaries and in turn challenging us to use our knowledge to help them make their concepts buildable.
Back to my visit to Napier. In the first instance we will be working with them to deliver a one day seminar on making large section timber frames buildable, both commercially and practically. This event is likely to take place towards the end of the summer and more details will be posted on our website in due course, so watch this space!
More blogs by Andy Parker
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