The UK Timber Frame Association and wood for good have published the first dedicated guidance document on how to deal with differential movement in timber frame buildings.
The recommendations, the result of close working between the industry and the NHBC, will now become best practice standard guidance for all timber frame manufacturers and designers.
They will also be adopted by NHBC for its revised technical standards, which housebuilders must comply with from this September.
“With the correct design and construction, this differential movement does not cause a problem,” said UKTFA chairman Stewart Dalgarno. “Most design professionals are familiar with the need to incorporate movement joints.”
But he said as the industry grows, the complexity of modern buildings put new demands on housebuilders and designers.
“We saw there was a need to produce standard guidance which could be used as best practice across the industry.”
To download a copy, visit www.timber-frame.org