SC4 Blog Articles

Case Study: Timber Frame Installation in Netley Grange, Southampton

About The Customer

Taylor Lane Timber Frame are a market leading specialist in UK timber frame construction, with over 40 years’ experience to bring to the project. The business designs and manufactures sustainable timber frame structures for various construction sectors, including residential developments, student HMO accommodation, care homes, and schools. Taylor Lane combines advanced design software with traditional manufacturing techniques and quality control to deliver a cost-effective and energy-efficient construction solution for a variety of projects.

SC4 have worked alongside Taylor Lane on various projects in the Hampshire area since 2014. Starting in March 2018, we installed almost 300 houses and flats for Taylor Lane at the Highwood Construction site in North Stoneham Park, Eastleigh over a number of phases, alongside other collaborative ventures. In 2022, we were honoured to be the first winners of Taylor Lane's Subcontractor Award. 

Project Objectives 

In June 2023, Taylor Lane approached us to install the timber frames for 89 new residential properties at Netley Grange, a stunning Elivia Homes development located on Southampton Water in Hampshire. The development included a range of property sizes, from one- and two-bedroom apartments to large two- to four-bedroom detached homes, and our role involved installing all the structural timber elements for these properties, including the roofs.

Having delivered timber frame installations of this type since 2006, SC4 were a good fit for this project. As members of the Structured Timber Association (STA) with a Bronze Accreditation, our team have a good understanding of all the aspects of the role, and the tools and capabilities to delivering every aspect of the project for our customers, including contract lift.

You can see one of our slinger/signallers on site in the image below. (Marsh Plant, of Havant, Hampshire, is the crane supplier, providing the crane and driver.)

We enjoy this type of work and take pride in doing a good job, knowing that we are contributing to and building somebody’s future home. There is an emotional attachment to that, and pride in creating something using craft, skill, and workmanship. Very satisfying!

How We Helped: The Difference Between Low Quality And High Quality Work

As specialists in Timber Frame Installation, we understand why it matters to clients how the timber frame is installed. Meeting sustainability requirements, and understanding air tightness, structural integrity and fire safety are an integral part of the way we deliver our projects. Sustainability is not just positive for the environment, but also helps to maximise the thermal performance of each property and reduces long-term energy consumption. Techniques such as minimising thermal bridging and bypass help to enhance energy efficiency, contributing to responsible construction practices. 

The approach that the contractor takes to timber frame construction has a big impact on the structural integrity of the building, as well as how long the project takes and ensuring an error-free installation. For the resident, even small mistakes could lead to structural issues with the home in years to come, including subsidence, cracking in the walls, leaks, and water ingress. Poor installation could also affect the U-value and lead to higher heating costs. These issues can reflect poorly on the reputation of the main contractor and developer, as well impacting the end-user.

Our timber frame installers, slinger / signallers and SC4 apprentices worked on the Netley Grange development, under the direction of crane supervisors, Simon Griffiths and the SC4 Operations Management Team. This enabled some of our apprentices and subcontractors to gain qualifications through their work on the project.

Outcomes

All 89 homes were completed on time and within budget. Paul Harris, the Senior Contracts Manager at Taylor Lane, described SC4 Carpenters Ltd as providing an “excellent and reliable timber frame erection service, in terms of quality and on site management input.

Find Out More

As always, the team at Taylor Lane have been a pleasure to work with throughout this project and we look forward to many future collaborations. Please get in touch with the team at SC4 today to learn more about the projects we deliver in your area and how we can support your business.

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