Rebecca Foster
The owners of this timber frame house adapted the Wickhambrook Barn design by Potton to suit their requirements. The dwelling has a barn-style exterior with spacious, contemporary interiors
Specifying the construction system for your selfbuild is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make throughout the entire project. “The structural part of a house does so much more than simply hold it up,” says Paul Newman, self-build director at Potton. “It’s the framework upon which every other element is built, so choosing the right option is vital.” While there’s a growing number of modern development methods available to selfbuilders, the vast majority still opt to use one of two triedand- tested choices: timber frame or masonry. Each comes with its own unique advantages and challenges. But which will allow you to best achieve your project goals?