Timber frame kit delivers healthy & sustainable bespoke home

Owner: Christian Wagner Location: Isle of Lewis Construction method: Timber frame House size: 97m2 Package route: Structural design and timber frame kit Package supplier: Scotframe

Christian Wagner, a retired design engineer, decided to follow the self build route to create his dream two-bedroom home in a stunning location on the Isle of Lewis. Keen to achieve excellent energy performance, his research led him to Scotframe, who could supply a bespoke timber kit house with exceptional insulation qualities built-in.

Given his skills in design, Chris chose to come up with the overall plans himself and asked Scotframe to tweak as needed to meet Building Regulations requirements. The strong winds on the exposed site had a big influence on the scheme, which is set on a single level and features

a low-pitched, slate-covered roof. The main living area features a vaulted ceiling to maximise natural light and make the most of the uninterrupted sea view.

Once planning permission and building control approval were secured, work got underway with the creation of accurate foundations, ready for the house shell kit. Great U-values (a measure of heat loss, where lower values are better) were easily achieved thanks to Scotframe’s Val-utherm Plus closed panel timber frame build system, along with the inclusion of 500mm of Rockwool insulation in the loft and bonded rigid insulation plasterboard ceilings.

Timber frame is a speedy building system, so it was well suited to the demands of an island build, as it allows you to get the house weathertight as quickly as possible. “The accuracies and quality of the bespoke Scotframe kit and the fantastic work of the skilled local craftsmen who built my home ensured the whole process went smoothly, despite the challenges of the exposed location,” says Chris.

The high-performance Val-u-therm structural envelope creates a low-energy environment with minimal heating needs. Chris’s home features smart-controlled, wireless underfloor heating (UFH) running off an air source heat pump. Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels have been installed to provide renewable electricity in sunny conditions, while two solar water heating panels are hooked up to a massive buffer tank and heat exchangers to provide domestic hot water as well as contribute to the UFH.

Any excess electrical energy generated by the PV array is fed into the buffer cylinder via an immersion heater. A small woodburning stove has also been fitted – providing essential backup in an island location that sometimes experiences weather-related power cuts.

In an efficient, airtight house such as this, mechanical ventilation and heat recovery (MVHR) is a must. This system extracts stale air from the kitchen, washrooms, drying room and entrance lobby, recycles the warmth within it and then feeds fresh, filtered, reduced humidity, pre-heated air into the living spaces. This gives Chris a healthy home with excellent indoor air quality.

“The result is a high-specification build which meets all of my requirements – a controlled living environment with minimal environmental impact, coupled with low running costs, which really does make the most of this absolutely stunning location,” says Chris.

Scotframe

01236 861200 www.scotframe.co.uk