Weighing up which structure to choose for your build? Our self-build expert is here to help answer your queries…

MARK STEVENSON Has worked in construction for 30 years and was formerly the managing director of Potton, designers and manufacturers of bespoke self-build homes.

There are many ways to build a new home or extension project but the most popular is to use a timber building system. According to the National Custom and Self Build Association, over 40% of all self-builders opt to build with structural timber and as we progress to a ‘low carbon future’, their popularity is set to rise.

A timber building system forms the structural chassis and includes all the building elements – walls, floors and roof structures – to form a coherent engineered building structure. Its popularity isn’t just down to its low carbon credentials — they’re affordable, fast and easy to build with, offer high levels of quality and energy efficiency and have the potential to unlock architectural freedom by exceeding regulatory standards. On face value, they’re the go-to building solution but dig a little deeper and you’ll soon find not all timber systems are the same. The two principal choices are timber frame or structural insulated panels (SIPs) and here’s the key differences you need to know. Timber frame Modern timber frames have been around in construction for more than 50 years and are made with timber studs that are nailed together with a sheathing of oriented strand board (OSB/3). These walls are commonly manufactured in factories to form a closed panel that includes all the insulation and vapour control layers to meet the energy efficiency requirements.