What are the benefits of timber framed construction?

Timber sourced from sustainable forests endorsed by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) or the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) can be used to achieve a low carbon footprint for your building. The use of timber framing normally enables the faster construction of a watertight building envelope and provides flexibility throughout the construction process, including in the depth of insulation used. Timber can be used to create a breathable building fabric, subject to the correct insulation materials and further construction layers, and can last for centuries if kept dry and allowed to breathe. Timber frame buildings are often considered to have a low thermal mass, and are therefore responsive to both heating and cooling; however, it is possible to incorporate thermal mass and achieve a very comfortable building fabric. Timber frame buildings also allow for some movement and are therefore not as rigid as masonry buildings, which is why many buildings in earthquake zones are constructed using timber. The acoustics of a finished super-insulated timber frame building are very similar to a masonry frame building.