John Elliott has always been a believer in timber frame technology. Before starting Tonbridge-based Millwood Designer Homes in 1992 with brother Jeff, he was the chairman of timber frame builder Medina-Gimson for 18 years.
He confesses irritation at the way the word ‘traditional’ has been hijacked by the brick and block industry. Softwood, he says, has been used in construction for 250 years, and hardwood for many centuries before that.
In fact, historical inspiration has contributed greatly to Millwood’s success.
One of its flagship house designs, the luxury Yeoman, was struck upon when Mr Elliott went on a family visit to the Weald & Downland Open Air Museum, near Chichester.
At the museum is an original 15th century timber framed hall house called the Bayleaf Farmstead, characteristic of the ‘Wealden’ oak houses built by yeoman farmers during the 15th and 16th centuries.
The Yeoman-style house was thus born, trading heavily from its ancestor in appearance but hiding a wealth of innovative construction and insulation underneath. Common themes include unstained exterior oak timbers, jettied upper floor, double-height galleried hall windows and reclaimed bricks.
It was first showcased at the Ideal Home Exhibition at Earl’s Court, London, in 1992. Now, more than 100 have been built and the range extends to six different designs.
Accolades have not been slow in coming forward: Millwood won Best Small Builder and Best Energy Saving Home at the 1997 What House? Awards – the oscars of the housebuilding industry.
The company is a small family-run firm with an annual turnover of £18-20m, building in country or village locations throughout Kent and Sussex.
Some of its houses are very big – up to 6,000ft2, with price tags of £1m plus. But it also builds two- and three- bedroom homes.
The ‘designer’ element allows early purchasers the flexibility to custom-design their house layout.
Several developments are on the go at present, including six large homes on the Isenhurst estate, East Sussex, which dates back to the reign of Henry IV.
Mr Elliott lists the advantages of timber frame building as speed of erection, accuracy, fewer after-sales problems, easier site management, fewer site thefts (because of bigger components), energy efficiency and environmental friendliness.
He said: ‘I think timber frame is the best way to build – but I have always thought that.’
And the ethos of the company? ‘The ethos of Millwood is to build a good quality product and use recyclable materials wherever possible.’
Mr Elliott’s commitment to the com-pany’s product extends to living in a Millwood home, the Conqueror house type. His brother Jeff, Millwood’s deputy managing director, also lives in one.
The company currently sources its Platform timber frame components from Pattrick & Thompsons Ltd and Donaldson Timber Engineering. It has used Pinewood Structures Ltd and Taylor Lane Frame Ltd in the past.
The Scandinavian timber comes from sustainably managed forests: Forest Stewardship Council stamps can be seen on components at construction sites.
Its main timber doors and windows supplier is EG Wardrop, based in Gorstone, which produces Millwood’s own bespoke designs.
Another design feature which Millwood promotes is its own acoustic insulation system for floors and walls. The ‘sandwich’ flooring is made up of several layers of board with mineral wool in the cavity.
The company said an independent laboratory had tested the system and showed it was quieter than concrete.
Jeff Elliott added: ‘The floors are what are used in apartment buildings. We did that to counter some of the arguments of the so-called "traditional" builders who claimed their solid floors have better sound insulation.’
But it is energy-efficiency which Millwood is making the most of, and where timber comes into its own.
A separate leaflet has been published for prospective buyers listing the benefits of the energy-efficiency homes.
The Yeoman homes have a maximum 100% Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) energy rating, with weekly fuel bills averaging just £22 per week. This compares to a smaller, 1960s three-bed semi with a SAP rating of 30 and fuel bill of £17.
This extra effort seems well-placed – a Gallup survey commissioned by one of Millwood’s selling agents and the Worldwide Fund for Nature, found seven out of 10 people are prepared to pay more for an energy efficient home.
‘We are using 140mm panels on these houses and achieving a SAP rating of 100,’ said John Elliott. Although this is also possible with masonry, he admits, it is more difficult to achieve.
He said: ‘High SAP ratings greatly help the environment. As less fuel is used, energy is conserved and fewer greenhouse gases are let into the atmosphere, helping to reduce pollution levels.’
‘If you look at the amount of CO² produced by the manufacture of concrete blocks it’s phenomenal. But if you look at the CO² for timber frame it’s a quarter. But you can still produce a very high quality product,’ Mr Elliott added.
The company predicts more and more housebuilders will adopt timber frame in the future and its use of mainly brownfield sites (95% of its sites are this type) fits neatly with government guidelines to builders.
Jeff Elliott said: ‘We’ve expanded quite a lot in the last few years and see no reason why the market will not continue in the same vein. We’re planning for further expansion.’
