Modern timber frame for traditional rural retreat

Taylor Lane Timber Frame has supplied its 140mm timber frame kit with 100mm rigid polyurethane insulation, 240mm I-joist floor and combination of standard, attic and stub trusses for a house in rural Herefordshire.

Self-builders, Victoria and Jason Dutton embraced this modern method of construction as an alternative to a traditional oak frame, without compromising on style.

Having purchased the design rights for a four-bed house with open plan kitchen / diner and garden room from an oak frame supplier, the couple began researching timber frame suppliers before settling on local company, Taylor Lane Timber Frame.

“We loved the oak frame design but after further research into timber frame builds we knew that with some clever internal and external features, we could replicate a similar look and feel using modern build methods,” says Tori.

“We had heard nothing but positive reviews about Taylor Lane and after meeting with Padraig [Taylor Lane’s selfbuild manager] and talking through our vision, we had no hesitation in our decision to build using a Taylor Lane frame. Padraig was fantastic throughout, as was the supply and delivery of the frame. Every dealing we had with them was a pleasure.”

Taylor Lane’s timber frame is precision engineered in a controlled environment for consistency and accuracy. It can then be built rapidly once delivered to site. A typical three-bed house can be wind and water-tight within a week, a huge benefit for those working to a strict build schedule as follow-on trades can progress without delay.

One of the main benefits of building with timber frame is outstanding thermal performance. Tori and Jason had to achieve a fairly stringent U-value as part of the overall Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) energy rating. “Taylor Lane really helped us with this. Their knowledge about energy efficiency and U-values was instrumental in helping us achieve the targets required for planning permission.”

Externally the house is striking, with its traditional combination of timber, brick and render. The new building is two storeys with a gable and two dormers. The ground floor is largely brick with timber cladding to the side and rear. The first floor is rendered and clad with timber. Oak frame adds interest to the main gable.

The couple sourced materials and skills locally including the beautiful window and door furniture forged by AWB Metalwork from Ledbury.