Product category:
Timber Buildings and Timber Products
News Release from: Avalon Timber Frame Homes | Subject: Timber frame myth exposed
Edited by the Buildingtalk Editorial
Team on 19 July 2007
Timber frame myth exposed
A timber frame home from Avalon Timber Frame Homes answers many of the myths in the industry.
For many years, one of the major criticisms of timber frame construction has been "the internal walls are like egg boxes" Without doubt, hanging wall cupboards in a timber frame kitchen is usually a little hit and miss and many resort to attaching battens to wall joists and hanging the cupboards from the battens..
This article was originally published on Buildingtalk on 26 Sep 2006 at 8.00am (UK)
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Not so if you have a timber frame home from Avalon Timber Frame Homes.
"In an Avalon home you will find that all the internal walls are lined exclusively with 12.5mm thick Fermacell a high performance multi-purpose dry lining board," said Nick Whitehorn, General Manager of Avalon Timber Framed Homes.
"Fermacell is fibre reinforced gypsum board that performs even better than blockwork when you need to fix a cupboard, shelf or radiator".
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"It is a little more expensive than conventional dry lining material but the benefits far outweigh the costs".
"Fixing a kitchen cabinet or shelf is simply a case of screwing it to the Fermacell" Fermacell is a Class O fire performance board with great sound, impact and moisture resistance and it is far tougher then conventional dry lining board".
"Using big Fermacell boards in our factory enables us to fabricate joint-free walls in many instances," continued Whitehorn.
"Unlike conventional build projects, our walls are always straight and manufactured to precise dimensions precision that guarantees that the kitchen you have designed will fit the space".
The prefabricated wall panels are delivered to site with factory installed and sealed electrical conduits and back boxes to make kitchen fitting that much easier as John Marston of Brighton will verify".
"We designed the kitchen to take the fitted units we wanted, said Mr Marston.
"The units fitted like a dream and it was an easy task to fix the wall cupboards by simply screwing them to the wall without even the need for plastic plugs".
Fermacell has always been a cornerstone of Avalon's design and build advantage and the environmentally conscious will be pleased to know that it is manufactured from a high proportion of recycled materials".
"Eco-friendly functionality is a much prized combination".
"Water, a Scarce Resource?".
"If recent weather patterns are anything to go by, water shortages could become a part of everyday life for many in the UK..".
and wherever availability is restricted, cost increases tend to follow!.
Thanks to an agreement with Aquaco, a company specializing in water recycling, Avalon Timber Frame Homes claims to have an answer".
"The Company is now able to offer integrated systems that harvest rainwater and recycle grey water for re-use".
"Addressing these issues at the design stage of a project is by far the most efficient course of action," said Nick Whitehorn, Avalon's Managing Director.
"By teaming up with Aquaco we can now offer our customers vast technical experience in water recycling and water treatment and offer proven systems for installation at the most appropriate time in the build".
" Rain harvesting addresses the collection and storage of rain water from roofs and/or hard standings to re-use for varied appliances such as irrigation, laundry/dishwasher water supply, wash hand basins/showers, toilet flushing etc".
"Grey water, that comes from showers, baths and hand basins can also be treated and re-used for irrigation toilet flushing very effectively".
"With 'environmental impact' becoming an ever-increasing part of the planning decision it makes sense to consider such systems at the planning stage, rather than during construction when it is too late to install a system at a realistic cost".
"As well as being environmentally friendly, collecting and using your own water can significantly reduce your water bills, and in years to come it might well be possible to spot an Avalon Home by the lush green lawn out front! Class in glass".
"Avalon Timber Frame Homes prides itself on the quality of the fittings such as windows and doors, that it incorporates into its projects".
"Following an agreement with Westcoast Windows of Uddevalla near Gothenburg, Sweden, the Company is now able to offer composite aluminium/wood frames in a wide range of woods and colours to match virtually and scheme and meet individual budget and insulation requirements.
"These windows are truly bespoke products made to the highest standards," said Nick Whitehorn, Avalon's Managing Director after a recent trip to the manufacturing plant in Sweden.
"This is commensurate with our fundamental philosophy of 'quality in everything we do'.
I recently visited installations in Sweden that had seen thirteen harsh winters and the windows still looked as good as new".
"Westcoast windows are manufactured with an outer aluminium extrusion, custom coated in the widest choice of colours to which an internal wood frame is laminated".
"The internal frame can be manufactured from virtually any wood including oak, mahogany, teak and many more".
"The double or triple glazed unit can incorporate toughened, laminated and tinted glass, solar glass and even decorative glass in the triple units.
"Historically we have been restricted in our choices for the internal timber," continued Whitehorn.
"Thanks to Westcoast Windows we can now offer a variety of timbers and profiles inside the house while the aluminium external finish gives colour with outstanding durability in a wide choice of window styles".
Avalon Taps into Free Energy Source.
A would-be Tory MP's plan to make all new homes capable of generating their own energy proved the most popular new idea at the recent Conservative Conference and is being considered for inclusion in the Manifesto.
The Government has also announced plans to reduce Council Tax bills for houses that are more energy efficient by offering "tax rebates for green homes".
Avalon Timber Frame Homes appears to be ahead of the game already with its announcement that it can now quote clients a ground source heat pump solution matched to an under-floor heating system within its service package.
Following an agreement with market leaders Ice Energy, Avalon clients can now benefit from the knowledge that the system has been designed into their home at the very beginning and important items such as the positioning of the heat pump and boiler can be considered from the outset".
"It is a perfect fit with our sustainable ethos", said Nick Whitehorn, Avalon's Managing Director.
"These heat pumps are safe, virtually maintenance free, guaranteed for 5 years and produce no local emissions of any sort, making a real contribution to the reduction of green house gasses".
Ground source heat pumps utilise the heat already stored in the ground and replenished by the sun".
"They can save as much as 70% of heating costs and can offer a payback in as little as 5 years.
"Ground source heat pumps are fast gaining in popularity in the UK," continued Whitehorn.
In Sweden, Avalon's spiritual home, some 97% of new build properties have a system.
It's proven technology in which we should be investing for the sake of the environment.
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