Q – When is a Bungalow not a Bungalow?

A – When it’s a single storey contemporary dwelling!

Mention the word ‘bungalow’ in the UK in relation to housing types and most people will immediately conjure up the image of an old person shuffling around a few tired, little rooms seeing out the rest of their days! Not very inspiring …. unless of course, you’re a self builder!

There will be many plots of land or replacement dwelling opportunities, where due to planning policy, only a bungalow …. sorry, single storey dwelling, will be allowed. So should you turn your back on these situations – absolutely not!  Oakworth Homes have a client at present who owns a plot of land in a beautiful rural location, but a ‘singlestorey dwelling’ is all the Planners would allow. He now has full planning approval for a stunning, single storey, contemporary barn, incorporating:

• Vaulted ceilings throughout

• Exposed feature oak trusses

• Open plan living, dining and kitchen area

• Floor to ceiling feature glazed, gable window

Visually and architecturally, you couldn’t get further from the image of a bungalow if you tried, but in terms of planning policy, the principles are the same … and comply! Other clients with the same planning issues, i.e. ‘only a single storey dwelling with a restricted ridgeheight will be allowed’, have built striking contemporary properties with flat or mono-pitched roof detail, mezzanine floor areas, feature glazing, open plan contemporary interiors … the list goes on!  So rather than dismissing that plot with planning permission for a bungalow only, think of it as an opportunity to acquire a piece of land on which to build your very own, unique, single storey dwelling with Oakworth Homes!

(Blog by Graham Hughes, Oakworth Homes Ltd)

To help reduce the CO2 emissions and relieve the effects of climate change, the UK needs to meet this demand by creating more energy efficient homes and buildings. Throughout the building process of the energy efficient homes and buildings the use of materials and processes demand energy and result in CO2 emissions.

Using Timber Frame for your build might be the best way forward, if you haven’t considered it yet, have a search to find out about the people who are. The Code for Sustainable Homes is becoming increasingly demanding in the way that new homes and buildings are built. With this in mind can you ignore the benefits of using the method of Timber Frame?
Timber Frame is the best economic solution for new builds, with its speed and efficiency, it can cut the costs down and reduces waste which is very receptive to the needs of the market.

The first prototype homes to reach levels 5 & 6 of the Code of Sustainable Homes were Timber Frame. These were unveiled at the BRE Innovation Park in 2007, since this the two prototypes have been put through some tests.

The introduction of the Code for Sustainable Homes was announced in 2006 by the Government. This was showing their commitment to improve the sustainability and energy efficiency homes in the UK. It is now mandatory that all new builds meet Code Level 3 on all government owned land and affordable housing schemes. Which another target has been set to meet Code Level 6 by 2016 for all new builds within the UK.

There are key issues that developers have to take into account when choosing the construction method is to ensure they achieve the right amount of credits to conform with the Code. They need to consider each method being; masonry, timber frame or steel which leads to the consideration of the materials and energy efficiency of the building. This can interfere with the building’s overall energy consumption and the rating and sourcing of the materials used in the build. Timber frame is rated well when considering these two points. Designer and developers already see the benefits of using Timber Frame in their build/design as it is the most natural solutions for the Code compliance.

The Comfort and Cost report has identified another benefit which shows that the additional cost of achieving the Code compliance are lower using timber frame compared to masonry.

The report also states the cost of timber systems ranges from £130 – £190 per square metre.  The only issue with developers using timber frame is the cost to comply with the Code’s minimum heat loss parameters.

This will prove to be a more challenging then U-values alone taking into account any indication of heat loss through the walls with both fabric and ventilation losses. Critical CSH points are available for heat loss values than 1.3, 1.1or 0.8.

There is new data revealing that a developer aiming for heat loss parameter of less than 1.3 would be better off using a timber frame construction in his development. The cost differential is typically in the order of 2.2 per cent to 5.2 per cent which depends on the dwelling types, compared with masonry construction which could cost up to 20 per cent more.

If you feel that you would like to find out more about timber frame and what it can do for you and help meet high levels of the Code, please visit our website and contact us.

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It’s one of the most difficult decisions you’ll make as a self-builder because its one of the first! There are both positives and negatives for both timber frame and blockwork and its not a straight answer. For a self builder choosing the ‘correct’ construction route, it’s all very confusing. We have several clients who have found it very difficult to choose between the two. Some have even built with block before and now want to move to build timber frame houses.

In recent history almost all houses in the UK have been built from masonry blockwork — with timber frame, certainly in some areas, being seen as niche part of the industry. This is with the exception of Scotland, which has always largely built with timber frame. However, in recent years, concrete’s dominance has come under threat significantly from the rising popularity of timber frame construction. Recently published statistics from the UK Timber Frame Association (UKTFA) are testament to this, reporting that the market share for timber frame has risen for the tenth year in a row, up from 8% in 1998 to 25% in 2008. In Scotland, timber frame’s market share is over 75% and still rising.

Geoff Arnold, Chairman of the UKTFA, explains: “The timber frame industry in the UK has continued to show its strength, resilience and maturity despite these difficult times for homebuilding and the housing market. Timber frame is the right building solution for now and the future as it has the ability to comply with and exceed current forthcoming Building Regulations. Timber frame also performs better than any other building material in meeting the need to build sustainable homes and the speed and efficiency of construction delivers the best economic solution for customers.

“When the economic upturn comes and the urgent need for fast, sustainable building becomes even more critical, timber frame looks set to be the number one choice. Self builders and developers building timber framed houses can look to the future with real confidence.”