Tymba Frame Systems

Crantock Timber Frames

2011-10-31T23:26:00.007Z

As we use the last of the Blue breather membrane around Plot 1 external panels, the gable panels are leading the way into our new livery paper of Black.

The site at Crantock is for 31 units mixed between open market and affordables.

The main contractor is J J Jones and Sons of St Austell - a family company with a tremendous local heritage and reputation for quality construction.

Using Tymba Frame Systems as your sole supplier will give you greater comfort as we maintain total control of the design, manufacture, delivery and construction. we design everything in house, we manufacture every timber element in our factory in Cornwall, we control the deliveries and we erect our own frames. In short you the client can rely on Tymba Ltd - not sub contractors or external suppliers to deliver your project on time and on budget.

Timber Frames In Cornwall for Launceston Developer

2011-10-31T22:54:00.008Z

Local Developer Mike Stevenson has built some of the nicest houses I have witnessed in terms of the finish.

The understated elegance is evident throughout the whole house and pays witness to the fine craftsmanship that has been exercised by his staff.

The windows were hand made in Liskeard by Bennetts - a company that manufactured the joinery in Iroko

In spite of the fact that 2 story corner section presented some structural headaches and the main trusses were of the scissor type, we welcomed the challenge and love the end result.

Devon Timber Frame Agricultural Dwelling

2011-10-31T22:41:00.002Z

The maximisation of space within the roof area was largely down to the utilisation of a Glu-laminated ridge beam.

Limited to a certain area by virtue of the planning restrictions placed on them; the clients were still able to manipulate the first floor layout in a way that suited their long term needs.

The most impressive feature in terms of the timber frame was the use of 185mm studs and a reflective breather membrane. The resultant heating bill is minimal.

Rosemoor Feature Trusses

2011-10-31T22:06:00.003Z

Just a final few pictures of Rosemoor to highlight the feature trusses with tensioning stays - all manufactured in our factory

The external columns are all flitched by hand and the materials are all sourced from local suppliers including the stainless plates and post feet.

RHS Rosemoor

2011-10-31T21:47:00.005Z

Following on from the last post, the colours were striking on the day of my visit and the welcome I was given by Sarah Chesters - the principle education officer was as warm as the morning sunshine.

It made me reflect in such a positive way about our capacity to see things through in spite of some challenging project hurdles.

The people at Rosemoor certainly made our experience worthwhile and the end result is testament to Andy and Sean Glossop's (Brothers) capacity to realise an architect and structural engineers vision. Thank you to you both.

Royal Horticultural Society New Learning Centre

2011-10-31T21:42:00.001Z

I had a rare day last week where I could get my camera out and take some pictures of the projects that have been completed over the last 12 months.

My personal favourite is the Peter Buckley - New learning Centre at RHS Rosemoor. It is my favourite for many reasons not least the fact that it houses classrooms to teach local children about our flora and fauna, but because it blends so well into the environment.

ISO 9001 Accreditation

2011-10-31T21:07:00.003Z

We are so proud to announce that we have been accredited with BM TRADA ISO 9001 for the design, manufacture and construction of Timber Framed Buildings

Well done to all of the team - It was such a great effort and reflects a collective determination to achieve greater standards in everything that we do.

Fantastic feedback

2011-07-26T13:05:00.001+01:00

Hello

I wanted to share with you some recent comments made by Midas Construction Ltd, our client for Treleigh Pre-School, Redruth.

‘thank you again for your co-operation throughout this project. Your co-operation helped us to deliver the building to a very high standard and I can confirm that the finished product has in fact exceeded the client's expectation.’

‘I look forward to working with yourselves again soon.’

Please forgive us for blowing our own trumpet but I hope you agree that the photo’s of the completed building are fantastic.

What a wonderful space those lucky children will have to start their education in.

ISO 9001 here we come.

2011-06-07T12:54:00.001+01:00

Hello

We are excited to be preparing for our ISO 9001 certification. This is the British Standard which covers Quality Management and at Tymba Frame Systems we actually embrace it. It can be turned into a box ticking exercise to meet the standards, have the right answers and then you are certified as fit to be awarded to piece of paper which allows you to quote for the larger tenders in this industry.

But as I am naturally a bit of a nit-picker I was delighted to be asked to look at the quality systems here. The language used in the standards has taken a bit of getting used to but the concept is a sound one.

From the ordering of timber to the delivery of a frame to site the processes undertaken are thoroughly examined. This in itself brings forward the obvious improvements that can be made and engages all the staff in the development of new systems. The paperwork toll does increase without a doubt but to be able to know that when a mistake is made, it is recorded and a plan of action is made and followed up to ‘get it right’ next time, it is worth it.

I’ll be sure to let you know when we get certified.

Thanks for reading!

Sophie

Holmbush approaches completion.

2011-05-12T12:33:00.001+01:00

Holmbush, Kelly Bray nr.Callington, Cornwall for R & B Building Consultants Ltd.

We supplied and erected the 140mm timber frame . On this project we also felt and battened the roof and fitted the soffits and fascia boards.

Our role in the project finished on the 2nd of May and now the internals are well under way. A lovely, well proportioned home approaches completion in time for summer.

Waste not…

2011-04-28T13:23:00.001+01:00

Today I’ve been sorting the rubbish.

We produce relatively little timber waste in our production process, with thought going into ordering and using the best sizes of timber for the home being created. But as with all manufacturing businesses we have material that is not reusable or recyclable. We recycle our paper and card but I am dismayed by the limited range of plastics that are collected by the bin men.

The European Commission are promoting waste reduction by having a ‘week’, don’t panic you’ve plenty of time to prepare, it’s not until November 19th. They hope to raise awareness, promote their policies and bring sustainable waste reduction up the agenda for the public and business alike.

The waste produced by the European Union is a staggering 1.3 billion tonnes each year. Construction and demolition making up a fair chunk of that. Reduction of waste is of course crucial but prevention is now being given more attention by government as they are required to have a National Waste Prevention Programme by December 2013.

Once again it will be interesting to see how our government plans to encourage our wasteful society to ‘do the right thing’.

At Tymba Frame Systems we will continue to reduce our wastage during production and deliver timber buildings and play our part in reducing the overall waste of house construction.

The Human Factor

2011-04-06T10:22:00.002+01:00

Whilst working alongside the good people of Tymba to review, update and implement improved Health and Safety systems, it struck me that in my role as a Health and Safety Consultant I face similar challenges to those of this environmentally conscious business.
Sophie recently blogged about 'human resistance' this resonated with me, because as a Health and Safety Consultant this is my biggest challenge.

When promoting the benefits of good Health and Safety practice a moral, economical or legal reasoning can be given.
Morally health and safety makes sense, in an environment where people are our biggest asset surely it makes sense to look after them, maintain their motivation and generally engage them in making good choices.
Meeting your legal requirements allows partnerships to be formed, ensures good relations with the HSE and it can be used to advertise the type of company you are.
The economic benefits can be quantified by getting it right first time supported by established safe systems of work, retention of quality staff and investment in the future of your business

You may consider that Health and Safety is a technical or specialist subject but actually it is all about PEOPLE, paperwork does not keep people safe, people working safely keeps people safe!
So back to my original thought 'human resistance' - the human factor has the most influence on health and safety and as such people must be supported to 'own' and engage, top down bottom up.

I am confident that the team at Tymba are ready to move away from a paper based, faceless system to a culture that promotes engagement and is reflective of their business ethos.
Can we make Health and Safety 'fashionable'? Join us as we celebrate the success of Tymba in this process

Gill

Thanks to Gill for helping me see through the mass of paper and jargon which presented itself as ‘Heath & Safety’. I had appreciated it’s value as a concept before but to make it a part of the business ethos rather than just box ticking and to ‘get your ISO9001’ was a challenge.

Sophie

Traditional oak timber framing meets modern

2011-03-22T11:46:00.003Z

A lovely home near Holsworthy, Devon nearing completion has its oak verandah frame made up in the factory. It has been erected and when the scaffolding is down I will put up the photos for you to see just how well traditional and modern timber frames can complement each other.

Thoughts on human resistance to change

2011-02-11T11:20:00.004Z

Hello, bit of a grand title I know but it is an issue we all face.

As a environmentally conscious timber frame company we want to build houses that will be future proof. The homes that are built in this country need to be better, to reduce and ultimately replace fossil fuel use better insulation levels are needed with the design details which take advantage of solar gain and avoid unnecessary heat loss.

The challenges we face as a company and community is the human resistance to change. Many individuals whether clients, builders or developers are wary of the 'new' .
It has been proven over many years in mainland Europe that timber frame buildings can provide the levels of thermal comfort and sustainability, delivered at an affordable price.

Low impact housing needs to become a fashionable 'must have product' to meet our consumerist cravings. The politicians, somehow overcoming the current levels of mistrust, must have policy goals which are relevant to people at a local level. We will all change our behaviour if it benefits our friends and family.

Feel free to post replies, we all need an opinion on this stuff.

Cheers
Sophie

Buzzing around in Boyton

2011-02-01T11:06:00.004Z

Hi

I am a small part of the team here at Tymba Frame Systems and although timber frame buildings are part of my daily life ( I live in one, more of that another day) I would like to share another passion of mine. Bees.

I know that bees are getting a lot of column inches at the moment but honestly I came at it sideways.

In the summer of 2009 I had my first bee swarm experience. I heard the buzzing and knew without looking what it was. A 20 foot long mass of bees flying 8 foot off the ground went past at a steady pace with a determined air. A few stragglers at the back did seem to be panicing . 'Keep up at the rear'.
As I was crouched down by my front door the feeling I had was primeval, a real back to the cave days moment. I knew I wanted to find out more.

I went on a beginner's night class at Duchy College nr Callington, and wasn't disuaded, in spite of the tutors' best efforts. The amount of stuff to learn, the cost of the kit, the possibility of complete failure through bee diseases or they just decide they'd rather be somewhere else.

I bought a hive and got a bit of hands-on experience ....

...yes there are highs and lows, laughter and tears. My experiences as a bee-minder ( I don't want to call myself bee-keeper yet) will be continued another day. With photos if you're lucky.

Timber Frame Houses for Royal Marines and Army

2011-01-16T20:03:00.007Z

I passed a development which was made by the staff at Tymba earlier this year on my way to Ilfracombe and stopped to take these pictures.

It was an overcast and blustery day typical of the winters we have had over he last 10 years - not that I am complaining as the snow and ice of the last 12 months have been troublesome to say the least.

When I arrived the street scene was one I had hoped for - children playing football and service families at peace. The sacrifices made by 3 commando brigade over the last 5 years in particular whilst on the numerous tours to Afghanistan have been heavy along with other coalition forces.

My heart goes out to the courageous commando's and their unsung families at home. I hope that everyone living in these code 4 houses benefits from lower fuel bills and warmth through the winter months.

I was fortunate enough to speak to an Army Warrant Officer of Commando Log Regiment who described the living experience from an end users point of view. It was invaluable, and has helped me understand that we need to log user experience in a more comprehensive manner.

At Chivenor, we worked very closely with the architects and main contractor to ensure that the most cost effective frame solution was provided within the budget, however in all truth, I feel that the projects goals were affected by an unwillingness to embrace improved technologies which may have saved costs through project and ultimately through the life of the building.

My concern is as ever - that some clients tend to be drawn by glossy adverts which purport to save costs and jump on an eco / greenwash bandwagon. This is not a dig, just an observation of how we make a decision to spend considerable sums of money. A more rational decision making process can prevent expensive mistakes from being made and at Tymba, I feel we can help you do that.

The M & E (Plumbing and electrics) budget historically for any given building project was between 10% & 15%. With the onset of renewable systems such as ground source, air source (I.E. it is colder in the north and the ground / air does not store as much heat energy unless you are looking at a geothermal solution at which point it is generally constant), P.V. and solar hot water tubes, this current cost has spiralled to upwards of 30%.

In my opinion, it is wholly unnecessary and completely unsustainable to specify these systems as a panacea to the ever increasing fuel costs globally. Given that the coefficient of heat performance regionally varies as stated most renewables are still 3 times as efficient as the best performing gas unit. Against that background however, they are on average 3 times as expensive to install and more and expensive to run (Compressor costs).

My wholehearted and impassioned plea is that everyone looks at the building's fabric first. We at Tymba want to help you make the right choice - not because of a glossy brochure or a trend driven by marketing professionals but because it uses the least resources, makes sense environmentally and doesn't hit you in the wallet or purse for that matter.

I dont know who said it, but if in doubt, do the right thing! - I suppose that should be our mantra.

Use the heat you create to lower the heating bills for your timber frame home

2011-01-14T10:36:00.002Z

Body heat can heat your house. The ultimate sustainable energy.

A well designed timber frame home can heated by you and your daily living activities.

Housing Minister pledges to break down barriers for self builders

2011-01-07T13:58:00.002Z

Grant Shapps MP, Minister for Housing and Local Government announces the Government’s intention to tear down barriers which thwart ordinary folk who aspire to build their own home.

He has asked the National Self Build Association to assist in developing an action plan to look at how more people can be helped. Including the complex and bureaucratic planning system, regulatory burdens and lack of access to land and finance.

A common hurdle to many self builders is limited availability of expert support. Guess what? This is where we come in!!

We love to advise and work with aspiring self-builders to enable them to achieve their ambitions of building their own sustainable home. A timber framed building can be simple or a Grand Design but up against the current hurdles it is a challenge that not enough of us take on. Let’s hope that the ‘action plan’ precedes real action!

Glydevale TF 200 Protect Lowers U Values

2011-01-06T23:53:00.004Z

The 185 stud width is proving ever more popular especially in conjunction with a reflective breather membrane externally and a reflective vapour control layer internally.

Insulation as ever is a matter of price, preference and performance characteristics. I prefer an insulant with similar characteristics to that of the frame in terms of cellular structure and propensity to allow the passage of moisture vapour in the direction of a cold surface where the dew point is a function of the frame design and not a consequence of poor specification.

Insulants such as Warmcell 500 or dense wood fibre systems have this capacity. Used in conjunction with a quality vapour control and skilled installation team, the results are surprisingly effective.

If you need any advice on site fitting or specification please by all means contact us.

Snow Hits Boyton Once More

2010-12-21T09:44:00.003Z

The snow definately arrived yesterday and as a result we are sitting amid a winter wonderland.

Looking forward to the thaw already and the Short Christmas Break.

One of My Favourite Timber Frames

2010-12-15T23:46:00.003Z

The Village - Watergate Bay Now Completed

2010-12-15T23:28:00.003Z

Fowey - Overlooking the River

2010-12-15T23:22:00.002Z

Watergate Bay - The Village

2010-02-28T23:38:00.006Z

The view from the bedroom of one of the village properties is absolutely stunning.

The open web joists that you can see here are cassettes which were made in the factory and slotted into the steel frame.

We have now covered in the whole roof and the sedum contractors are getting ready to provide the final coat of grass.

We will shortly be fitting the diffutherm panels to the external surfaces and I will show a detailed post which breaks down the construction method using photographs.

Watergate Bay - The Coachouse

2010-02-28T23:10:00.006Z

The Coach house project at Watergate bay has been a shining example of how timber engineering can help main contractors meet very tight deadlines, and in some cases bring projects back within the realms of the original critical path

The Coach house was destined to be block and stone but enforced stabilisation - temporary and permanent works resulted in the operations team at Midas Construction having to think asymmetrically.

We provided a fast design solution and followed up with a significant frame, floor system and relatively complicated roof set with many different roof trusses.

The final design will make use of a Sure-cav system which allows faced stonework to be built directly up to the timber frame breather membrane

The project has moved on so quickly and we are now roofing in the rear wing which is 3 storeys high

Midas Construction's site management is ensuring that the follow on trades are at our heels all the way and we are also on site spraying the Warmcell 500 to the external walls.