Today, most housing developers today are aware of the term ‘modern methods of construction’, specifically, off-site manufacturing of prefabricated buildings.

Factory made timber frame systems offer many benefits including:

- Quicker build times
- Lower costs
- Less waste

However, one of the biggest advantages is they have natural high thermal efficiency which results in long-term energy savings. Below, we’ve outlined some of the key advantages that these systems offer property developers and owners.

Ensuring BSE standards are always met

Closed panel timber frames are prefabricated insulated wall panels that are delivered directly to the site, ready for immediate installation and quick handover for the first fix and outer brickwork.

Every timber frame panel comprises the outer frame, insulation, vapour control and services cavity. Each panel is produced in a controlled environment. This ensures that high standards of thermal insulation and airtightness are achieved before they leave our factory.

Made to BSE Standards

A key feature of our closed panels is that they achieve much lower U-values than conventional block and brick building methods. They will also comply with BSE quality standards and will be quality-checked before they leave our factory.

Closed panel timber frames achieve the best U-values

A U-value, otherwise known as thermal transmittance, is a measurement of how easily heat can go through materials, which needs to be as small as possible to prevent energy loss in a building.

Calculating U-values can be complex to work out, but what matters is the actual U-value achieved during testing.

U-values are calculated by measuring the heat transfer rate divided by the difference in temperature across the material(s). The value is shown as W/m²K, and the lower the U-value the better the insulation.

Part L Compliance

To achieve Part L building regulations compliance, U-values must achieve 0.26 W/m²K or less. This rate is fairly typical for block and brick construction however, Target Timber’s closed panels achieve some of the lowest U-values – down to 0.16 W/m²K, including the outer brickwork.

Closed panel timber frame materials are sustainable and traceable

Sustainability sits at the heart of the timber frame industry; as a building material, timber remains the most environmentally friendly. However, we’re never complacent, so we have rigorous processes in place to ensure that our timber supplies remain sustainable.

99% of all of the timber that we use for our timber frame systems use European softwood which comes from forests that grow by 3,500 miles every year.

Carbon Neutral building material

Timber is a carbon-neutral, renewable material that naturally sequesters carbon.

Our timber also has the double assurance of being FSC and FSFC certified.

In addition, our closed panels are insulated with PIR (polyisocyanurate), a high thermal insulator that is manufactured with zero ozone-depleting blowing agents. It is also CFC-free, meaning no greenhouse gas emissions are produced from these products.

Closed panel timber frames meet all current fire regulations

There are many misconceptions about the fire safety of timber frames in construction and you’ll find countless views. The facts are that timber frame systems are stringently tested and our timber frame systems are approved by the Structural Timber Association.

The STA testing ensures that above all else, there is time for people to escape from a burning building – 30 mins for a house, 60 mins for flats.

There are countless more advantages to building with Target’s timber frame systems, but the greatest advantage of all is that off-site manufacturing will always ensure that any design specification is met, all regulations are adhered to and that buildings will deliver long-term energy efficiency.

If you require any further information, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.