The United Kingdom is home to many exquisitely beautiful timber-framed castles, inns and manors. In recent years, brick structures and steel frames have gained some popularity in Britain. However, timber beams continue to enjoy their coveted status even in modern-day architecture. So, what is that makes these beams a favourite of every architect and home owner?

What are some of the advantages?

There are many advantages of using these hardwood beams. Here are some of them.

1. While erecting steel or brick frames can take up to months, it takes only a few days to create a timber frames. If you are building a small house, you will be able to create a hardwood frame for it within in a week. This way, you will be able to save a lot of time.

2. Not just time, timber frames will also save you a lot of money. Since erecting these structures do not require a lot of labour, you will be able to save a lot of money by having to employ lesser site labour.

3. One of the best things about timber structures is that they provide thermal perforation — this is a specially a big advantage if you are living in the United Kingdom where it’s cold for most parts of the year. That apart, not only do timber frames capture heat, they are also resistant to air moisture.

4. Timber frames are resistant to rots and insects. While rots and beetles can easily penetrate brick structures, the wooden structure of hardwood beams does not leave any space for insects or fungal decay to crawl in. However, home owners must ensure that the timber structure of their home is not exposed to high moisture content.

5. One of the best parts about timber frames is that they are recyclable. The use of timber in construction protects the environment from various kinds of hazardous materials used in creating other kinds of structures such as steel, mortar, brick, etc.

What are the disadvantages?

Timber beams make an excellent choice for creating the base structure of homes and other buildings in the United Kingdom and elsewhere in Europe. However, there are certain things you must keep in mind while installing these in your home.

1. Though timber frames and structures are cost and time effective, they are a greater risk of fire-induced accidents. Likewise, though technological advancements can make timber structures sound proof, employing these tools to cancel external sounds from entering the home add to the overall cost.

2. Timber structures must be erected with caution. A single mistake during the process can cause long-term harms. This is precisely why you will have to hire an expert and a crew that is well-versed with hardwood structure designing if you want your home’s structure to be error-free. This can cause the cost to go slightly higher.

3. Timber structures and beams do not work well in areas that are prone to flooding. However, since most of the areas in United Kingdom do not run this risk, this particular disadvantage stands untrue for timber beam constructions in the country.

Of course, there are both advantages as well as disadvantages of using timber frames in modern-day homes and buildings. However, since the advantages clearly outweigh the disadvantages, it is only logical to conclude that timber frames should continue to enjoy the popularity they enjoy in the United Kingdom.