6th March 2006

Finnish Wood Products Ltd

Timber Frames

Timber frame houses and timber frame leisure buildings manufactured in Finland from Finnish Redwood grown in Finland from renewable sources.

These timber frame homes and buildings are built to the requirements of the client, using their designs. The team of experts in Finland and the team at Finnish Wood Products Ltd will liaise with the client and the Architects to produce the design in CAD format and supply CAD drawings of all walls, floor and roof construction. The 3D drawing will allow the client to see their house before the timber frame is delivered to site.

The high quality of timber used in the construction of the house or building is typically Pine and can be of one piece of wood or Glulam in construction where large timbers are required in the strength of the building.

Various types of construction can be catered for; the roof can be truss type or post and beam construction. This post and beam is favoured by many as it achieves internal exposed wood and allows the opportunity to have open roof capability thus creating spatial effect. This Timber frame product is ideal for the building trade or the self builder

The floor construction can be traditional type, concrete or block and beam onto which the pressure treated wood is fixed and the timber frame constructed. The other method is Pad foundations where supporting pillars are built from the foundation and a lattice network of massive timbers are laid onto and a suspended timber floor framework is laid on top of the massive beams. The timber frame is then built on top of this.

By using this type of timber frame it allows for flexibility of design and construction. The team at Finnish Wood Products are able to supply the guidance and expertise to develop the client’s ideas into practical building.

One of the compelling reasons to use our timber frames is the speed of construction. It is recognised by the timber frame industry that using this method of building against traditional block or brick it is 30% quicker. This allows other trades to do their work earlier and produce a finished house in a shorter build time.

Once the frame is built it can be covered in the required membranes, Tyvex or similar breathable membranes.

The standard wall frame construction is from 45x195mm timbers and is normally the same for the sole plate, studs and top plate. The timbers for the roof construction will vary depending on the size and type of roof construction. This also applies to the intermediate floor joists. The sole plate is pressure impregnated and the rest of the timber frame is Timbor treated to meet current building regulations.

All timber used in the construction of the timber frame is graded to meet required building regulations. eg. C18, C24. The average moisture content of the timber is 18%. Licences for grading are available for inspection.

With this size of frame it can be packed with insulation and will achieve very high U values. The external finish can be done to suit the environment and any planning restrictions. Stone brick or block or even wood clad to achieve the Scandinavian feel. Etenit Bluclad board with Silicone render is another option. The board or wood clad again achieves a very quick construction time.

The timber frame, once designed is produced using high tech computer driven machinery. The accuracy is excellent and each piece of wood has a unique reference number which is clearly written on the wood and is read in conjunction with the CAD plan and specification list. Where the timbers are slotted together pre-cut joints are used, making for ease of erection and giving very strong joints. Where fixings are required all locations are pre-drilled.

Any special fixings that are required in the timber frame are supplied with the package.

The package offered by Compuwood Oy of Finland and Finnsh Wood Products Ltd, can be just supplying the timber frame or the complete package. This complete package can include, design and working drawings of foundations and drawings for submission to building control, timber frame, external windows and doors, internal doors and staircases. These are all manufactured in Finland and all have that typical Scandinavian feel and appearance of superb wood and final finish. The doors and windows are factory glazed with double glazed units with selective coating and argon gas filled to produce a very high thermal insulation. All the external windows, external and internal doors are factory lacquered or colour stained so no further decoration is required. This is labour saving in its self. The stairs are manufactured by Lappiporras Oy and again are factory lacquered or colour stained to your choice. Various designs and components are available to allow for individualism in the home. The stairs have a variety of components and include a matching child safety gate.

The external windows and doors are manufactured by Profin Oy and have a variety of opening methods to choose from, side or top hung, sliding doors and windows or folding patio doors.

The typical window will have a frame size of 66x95mm or 118mm, opening device with friction brake and gold coloured furniture which will match with all windows and doors supplied by Profin.

The external windows do not have trickle vents as standard so to meet building regulations other form of ventilation may be required. Finnish Wood Products Ltd will be able to assist you in sourcing a suitable system of ventilation and heat recovery systems. Heating is another consideration as the complete package and Continental Under Floor Heating is a company recommended by Finnish Wood Products as being compatible with the method of building and design work.

The timber frame house along with windows, doors and staircase arrives on site in a container, this can be unloaded or with prior arrangement the container can be hired and collected at a later date.

The normal time for delivery is 5 weeks from time of signed order. A set of CAD drawings will be supplied by email prior to delivery in order to study the layout and check measurements before delivery is made.

Finnish Wood Products Ltd has a full technical support system for any questions or help that might be needed.

Andrew Jones.

Director.