Cladding is a matter of choice; it can be brick, stone or lightweight claddings, such as timber boarding, tile hanging or render.

Factory production of the timber frame panels ensures that they are accurately manufactured to precise tolerances in a controlled environment away from the vagaries of the British weather.

The timber frame panels are rapidly erected on site and, with trussed rafters forming the roof, a weathertight building can be created in a matter of days. This enables work to continue in protected conditions within the building whilst the outer cladding and roof finishes are applied.

Timber frame is not just for houses; it is being used extensively for flats, schools, hotels, offices and sports facilities. Buildings up to eight storeys high can be constructed and, like all methods of construction, conform to the requirements of the Building Regulations.

Additional layers of insulation and board materials are added to provide higher levels of sound insulation and additional fire protection where required, eg party walls between houses and party walls between flats.

The choice of floor and roof construction for timber frame is the same as for other building types. Ground floors can be of concrete or timber. Intermediate floors are of timber joists or prefabricated panels. The joists or prefabricated panels are usually installed on top of the wall panels and provide a platform from which to build subsequent storeys – hence the term ‘platform frame'.