It is possible for many people to reap long term benefits from self-build timber houses from STREIF. However, there are certain techniques that we think these people should ensure are used to help to prolong these benefits. Use of these techniques, which we detail below, can help to keep timber residences in usable condition for decades; if, on the other hand, they are not used, the residences can gradually, as time progresses, incur damage from natural elements.

Use of a high standard of timber

It is crucial that, when a timber home is first being constructed, genuinely high quality timber is used. Fortunately for our clients, both current and potential, we at STREIF can use self build timber frame of a high standard as a matter of course when we provide clients with self build timber houses. However, to help to prolong such a residence’s usable condition, it is also during the construction process that the wood should be treated in particular ways.

Treatment must be undertaken by a professional

The job of treating a timber home to assist in lengthening the time that it remains in a usable state must be left to a professional who knows precisely what they should use for the treatment procedures. The professional that is left to this work to should have good knowledge of what particular treatment procedures will work especially well for timber.

Protection against damage by insects

One particular type of chemical that we would highly recommend for use in treating timber is sodium silicate. This kind of chemical has some flame retardant properties and can help to preserve the timber from being damaged by insects.

Insects are responsible for much of the damage inflicted upon timber homes. This is because insects often like to create their homes in large timber structures due to their common warmth. A timber residence’s structure can become destroyed as more insects make their homes in it. This can be averted through use of a dry rot treatment and a wet rot treatment.

Water way to treat a self build timber frame house!

The timber should be subjected to a treatment that waterproofs it. This treatment will prevent water and moisture – such as during rainy weather – seeping into the wood before expanding into ice and so triggering the timber to come apart. However, we think it is worth emphasising that this and other treatments must be carried out during the home’s construction.