Timber-frame construction is a dry construction technique without the use of water or cement. With no need to wait months for the building moisture to evaporate, finishing work such as  painting can begin right away and the move-in time is reduced. Moreover, there are no construction delays due to rain and frost.

Machiels Building Solutions prefabricates its timber construction components industrially, so they take even less time to assemble on the construction site. The structure is wind and watertight in just two to three days. Timber-frame construction therefore allows projects to be completed much faster than with traditional building methods.

Wood may be a combustible material but, contrary to popular opinion, it also has good fire resistance. Its relatively slow and steady carbonisation forms a protective layer over the rest of its bulk, allowing it to maintain its mechanical properties. Adding sheet materials provides further protection for the building.

Good design and careful construction are essential for buildings' fire safety. During design, construction and follow-up, all building projects require precision, professionalism and particular care with regard to 'construction nodes' (potential weak points where construction components meet).

During the timber-frame design phase, you get to choose the finish for your project. The design and architectural possibilities of timber-frame construction are virtually unlimited. From brick slips, metal cladding and rendering through to resin/cementitous panels, wood and facing bricks – with a timber frame anything is possible. Choose the architectural style that suits you, and let your creativity flow.

Energy standards are being tightened all the time, with nearly-zero energy buildings (NZEBs) set to be the norm by 2021. By opting for energy-efficient construction, you immediately make savings on your energy costs.

Timber-frame construction makes it very easy to meet the NZEB standard at no additional cost, thanks to the combination of suitable materials and the absence of thermal bridges. Timber-frame construction can achieve the same thermal performance as traditional construction techniques but with thinner walls. Moreover, your building will not lose heat due to leaks or draughts because Machiels Building Solutions components are manufactured in a fully-automated (and therefore high-precision) process and delivered airtight.

Timber is sustainable, carbon-neutral and a highly effective insulator, making it an outstanding material in terms of user comfort. No other commonly-used building material can be produced and processed using such little energy, which means that our end products have a very small carbon footprint.

Using wood helps to save energy throughout a building's lifetime, as its cell structure has a high thermal insulation capacity.

When wood can no longer be used or recycled, it can still supply energy through combustion.

The wood used in our construction components is PEFC - or FSC®- certified, proving that it comes from responsable forest management.

PEFC/07-31-267
FSC® C107536

Prefabricated timber-frame construction makes for a more comfortable living and working environment. Timber-frame homes have excellent acoustics: the mass-spring-mass principle in the components' make-up means that highly effective acoustic solutions are possible, even in the low frequency ranges.

This construction technique is ideal for producing buildings with excellent thermal insulation. Why? Firstly, wood is a poor conductor of heat. Secondly, timber-frame constructions typically have a hollow structure entirely filled with flexible insulating material. Creating a completely airtight envelope around the construction on the inside minimises heat losses and avoids draught problems. Moreover, this approach forms the basis for vapour-permeable construction, allowing the construction to breathe.