This time last year, we reflected on a growing trend by developers to install bespoke timber car barns ahead of traditional brick-built garages.

And while back then it was suggested these attractive oak-fronted timber garages, car barns or car ports were the domain of luxury developers, today Scotts wooden craftsmanship and expert timber engineering is also being called on by the UK’s largest volume housebuilders.

Modern households of multiple occupancy put increasing demands on the need for off-road parking and an attractive timber framed car port – aesthetically more pleasing than brick – can help differentiate a developer’s product from that of a competitor.

Our innovative car port designs are tailored to suit individual housing developments and offer a cost-effective solution, compared to steel and masonry, and can also be used for cycle and bin storage.

A bespoke car barn meanwhile, whether a single or four bay design, can add value to any new housing development by creating not only that all important shelter for cars, but also providing additional storage space. Our car barns are prefabricated offsite and installed in half the time it takes to build a traditional brick structure.

Whichever car parking solution is required, here at Scotts, design is vitally important to us and our in-house architects work with developers so that our highly engineered, prefabricated structures are in keeping with the aesthetic and character of the new house styles and local surroundings.

We pride ourselves on being specialists in the design, manufacture and installation of our timber products, meeting specific planning and site requirements and complementing new build properties. Equally at home with a bespoke one-off project or the demands of a busy development of new homes, Scotts continues to deliver inspiration, experience and expertise.

As a renowned specialist in timber engineering, Scotts of Thrapston is perfectly placed to offer a complete package to housebuilders.

From roof to floor and fixtures and fittings in-between, Scotts is a one-stop-shop meeting the timber engineering requirements of any property developer. And for the smaller, bespoke companies, sourcing and securing their timber needs from just one supplier is key to a more cost-effective, efficient build.

Roof solutions

Roof trusses, also known as trussed rafters, provide a structural framework to support the roof fabric of buildings in both domestic and commercial structures.  They are a highly engineered product, manufactured by Scotts to controlled quality standards. Utilising the latest software, Scotts specialists are able to design roof structures and roof trusses to meet the most exacting of project specifications.

The use of spandrel panels, which offer a pre-assembled solution to separating party walls and external gables, can help to ease time constraints as well as proving cost-effective. One of their main advantages is speed as they reduce bricklaying labour time. There is also no need to wait for blockwork to cure before roof insulation. In addition, the resulting reduction in the use of scaffolding reduces costs and labour and time spent working at height.

While room-in-the-roof trusses offer additional living space without increasing the building footprint, they are hugely important in light of the ever-increasing demand to optimise land. A significant proportion of all trussed rafters now produced are room-in-the-roof trusses as they are one of the most economical solutions to adding rooms to a new build or extension.

Floor solutions

The use of engineered floor systems is growing in the UK, replacing traditional solid timber floor joists or concrete flooring, and Scotts has partnered with Wolf Systems to offer the easi-joist metal web floor system.

Easi-joist is a precision designed and manufactured floor system that provides the construction industry with a more cost-effective solution. It improves construction efficiency with reduced installation times, less site wastage and long-term stability.

Scotts manufactures the easi-joist product using stress graded timber which is plated together with precision engineered metal webs. Using the latest design and production technology, Scotts can design and manufacture a complete floor system to suit your requirement and specification.

Porches & Canopies

And finally, Scotts manufactures porches and canopies specifically for the construction industry, covering off both volume porches as well as made-to-measure bespoke canopies. Scotts’ porch kits include structural joinery timbers, gallows brackets, porch posts and porch bases. Furthermore, they can be machined to any section whether curved, pitched or angled using mortised and tenoned joints and our state-of-the-art CNC machinery.

Trussed rafters, or roof trusses, can vary in size and weight depending on your project requirements. Therefore, this can make them unstable and a potential risk if not stored correctly.

To reduce potential injuries onsite, trussed rafters must be supported and/or restrained to prevent them toppling over. Here are a few tips on how you can safely store your trussed rafters.

1. Store them vertically or horizontally. Trussed rafters can be safely stored in a vertical or horizontal position, at ground level, or on a temporary storage platform above ground level. If stored vertically, bearers need to be positioned to provide a firm and safe support. Alternatively, if stored horizontally bearers need to be positioned between each truss node. This is to prevent any distortion.
2. Trusses should not make direct contact with the ground. It is important the trussed rafters are stored so they are not touching the ground or any vegetation and are arranged to prevent distortion. Also, this is to avoid timber members getting damp or damaged.
3. Minimise storage onsite. If possible, it is highly recommended trussed rafters are not stored for long periods of time onsite and therefore, delivery should be arranged as close to the installation date as possible. Ideally, trussed rafters should be unloaded directly from the vehicle to the roof erection. However, if longer periods of storage are necessary then the trusses should be protected with covers and fixed to allow proper ventilation around them.

It is important that the above advice is followed. No other methods of storing trussed rafters are considered suitable, with the exception of where specific provision has been made in the design with an alternative temporary load case.

For more information and advice, contact your Scotts Designer on 01832 732366.

Engineered floor joists, such as easi-joists (metal web joists), are becoming increasingly popular in the UK, replacing traditional solid timber joists and concrete flooring.

It is the role of the Building Designer to provide Scotts Designer with the correct information on which the floor design will be based. Keep reading to find out the necessary information required.

1. The building footprint and layout

To start, the Designer will require a basic dimensioned plan of the building footprint. This is used as a framework to create the floor design.

2. The joist span, direction and floor depth available

One benefit of metal web joists is their ability to span greater clear spans than traditional solid timber joists, allowing the Designer better flexibility for room layout. Additionally, the most important benefit is its ability to facilitate quick and easy installation of services and pipes.

Easi-joists, when used for flooring, are laid perpendicular to load-bearing walls. However, other configurations can be possible when required to suit openings or other construction details.

Metal web joists are available in a range of sizes and are manufactured in our offsite factory in Thrapston to your exact project requirements. It is important to note, the length of joists can be limited by the practicality of handling and transportation.

3. Design dead load or details of types and weights of floor and ceiling coverings

It is important to make the Designer aware of the correct loadings at the design stage. This will ensure a safe, effective and cost-effective floor design. Additionally, the Designer should also be aware of any unusual loads that may be applied to the floor system, e.g. spa baths, snooker table, hoists, etc.

Using the latest design technology by Wolf Systems, the Designer can accommodate both dead and imposed loads applicable to the use and occupancy of the building.

4. Intended building use and design-imposed loads

Metal web joists can be used for floors as well as flat and pitched roofs. In both circumstances, easi-joists provides the Designer with greater design flexibility.

5. Position and weight of non-load bearing internal partitions

Each individual design is dependent on the application and loads applied. Metal web joists are not designed to support masonry load-bearing walls but can be designed to support lightweight partition walls.

6. Other additional loads

If significant loads are added to the building, such as hoists in care homes and adapted living accommodation, it is important this information be provided as early as possible in the design stage.

7. The positions and method of support at all bearing position

Metal web joists can be designed to be supported on either the bottom or top chord and can be built into supporting elements or connected via joist hangers, whether for masonry or timber frame projects.

8. Any special requirements for floor members

This includes specific chord widths, joist spacing or deflection requirements. Floor vibrations or deflection limits should always be discussed with our Designer. Where the span exceeds four metres a strongback is normally used to dampen vibration. Our team can provide guidance on installation.

9. Size and location of required floor openings e.g. stairs

If openings are required, the Designer will need to know the location, size and type of opening (such as stairs) within the floor area. This is one of the most critical aspects of design in order to transfer the loads and deal with practicalities of creating the opening using trimmers and girders or multiple metal web joists.

10. Size and location of large or non-standard services planned to be run through the floor zone

As previously mentioned, one of the benefits of using metal web joists is their design ability to easily install services and utilities within the floor void area. They require no cutting, notching or drilling, speeding up the process. The depth of joists can be varied to suit particular duct requirements, please inform our Designer of this in the design stage.

11. Other considerations

Horizontal restraint straps

These are used to tie the walls to the floors and should be fixed to the perimeter walls in line with the Building Designer’s instructions.

Preservative treatment

Scotts metal web joists can be preservative treated if required. This is normally needed where the environment is likely to be classified as Use Class 1 or 2, as defined in Eurocode 5.

Fire and acoustics

Our engineered floor joists fully comply with all the relevant standards in relation to fire and acoustics. Please refer to the Robust Details’ handbook for more details.

If you require any further information or advice, our expert Designers are available to answer any of your questions. Contact the team on 01832 732366 or email info@scottsofthrapston.co.uk

To find out more information about metal web joists, take a look at the TRA’s Buyer’s Guide to Metal Web Joists.

Adding character to a new build project isn’t always easy, but there is one product that instantly gives a building personality, plus the wow factor, and that is a feature truss.

Creative design means that this eye-catching feature can create a feeling of space, maximising the light while giving a characterful twist to any building – whether new or existing.

The exposed bolted feature trusses can be used in both domestic and commercial projects and we have supplied decorative bolted and feature trusses for various settings, including housing, schools, public houses and retail premises.

There are certain settings where they work particularly well, such as in a hallway or landing area, providing a real impact for visitors. They can be used as a gable end to a covered terrace area, or as a way of extending your kitchen out into a popular dining/living area full of character.

Our feature trusses have also been used in gardens, forming part of a covered outdoor room, helping to provide the perfect place for entertaining family and friends

We recently supplied two large oak feature trusses, spanning 5.8m with a height of 3.6m, for a barn conversion. As well as, a king post feature truss with a 36-degree pitch. Both of these were supplied unassembled to site, in line with the project’s needs.

A feature truss can bring the same qualities to a commercial building, and have been used in extensions to historic pubs.

Our design team works closely with our customers to ensure that the feature truss meets their needs exactly and suits the architectural character of the property.

We can manufacture the bolted trusses in virtually any hardwood or softwood to suit their surroundings. Many customers prefer their feature truss to be left in their natural finish, but we can supply them pressure treated, stained, or painted.

The versatility of our design and manufacturing process means that we can meet the construction requirements of our brief, while also producing an aesthetically pleasing feature for any building.

At Scotts, we pride ourselves on working closely with our clients to ensure the smooth and safe operation of construction sites.

By offering services such as just-in-time delivery and expert advice, we aim to ensure the safe delivery of your products.

One example is roof trusses, or trussed rafters, which can vary in size, shape, and weight. It means they can easily become unstable when handling or storing them on site. It is important that all contractors arrange the correct resources and procedures to ensure the safe handling of trusses on site.

Unloading of trusses

Contractors on site are responsible for the unloading of the roof trusses when they are delivered. Sufficient and suitable resources should be already prepared and allocated to ensure the trusses are unloaded safely, in the correct way.

Mechanical handling equipment, such as a forklift or crane, is recommended to move these units, and they must be unloaded in a way that does not overstress the trusses.

Scotts has a number of unloading method statements readily available to assist you in the unloading of your trusses, whether with a forklift, a crane and even if the trusses are inverted.

Our trusses are delivered in tight bundles, using the correct bindings, to allow contractors to unload the trusses safely without any falls or injuries.

Site storage of trusses

Scotts will organise the delivery of your roof trusses just-in-time, to minimise site storage time. However, where longer periods of storage are necessary, the trusses should be adequately protected with covers and fixed to allow for proper ventilation around the trusses.

Roof trusses can be stored vertically or horizontally, but this must be done correctly to prevent them from toppling over and injuring staff or causing other risks.

The chosen storage method must ensure the bundled or individual trussed rafters are fully supported and restrained. They should also not make direct contact with the ground or any vegetation and must be arranged to prevent distortion.

For further advice or technical information, please get in contact with our Truss Design Team.

Take a look at the TRA‘s infographic below to see the do’s and don’ts of how to handle trussed rafters on site, or download the PDF here.

Timber has been used as a building material for centuries, but housebuilders are now recognising the many benefits it can bring, despite an abundance of man-made materials – it is sustainable, eco-friendly, and versatile.

A key advantage of using timber is the ability to design and manufacture bespoke products rather than having to settle for an off-the-shelf style with set dimensions.

Furthermore, timber offers greater structural performance and provides opportunities for attractive design features, such as room-in-the-roof trusses or internal glulam beams.

So, what are the benefits of timber in construction?

• • Timber is a natural carbon storing material, even after it has been cut down, making it an environmentally friendly building material. This helps housebuilders meet the Government’s target of zero carbon emissions by 2050.
  • It is a light but strong material, so it can be easily handled and installed onsite, in a matter of days rather than weeks.
  • The supply of wood will not deplete. Scotts timber is sourced from sustainably managed forests.
  • Timber is a great insulating material.
  • It can provide innovative opportunities for modern methods of construction, in particular in growing urban developments, where the need for housing is increasing.
  • Timber can reduce waste on and off site as it is a recyclable and reusable material.

As experts in manufacturing timber products, Scotts knows how to make the most of this natural product, and our wide portfolio comprises of roof trusses, metal web joists and spandrel panels.

We also recognise the build and design benefits that timber offers in other products such as porches and canopies, car barns and car ports, as well as timber garages.

Working with experienced manufacturers such as Scotts means that timber products can be delivered using just-in-time scheduling which helps project management stay on track. Products can be prefabricated off site which means they can be installed in half the time, compared with a traditional build.

So, in a modern age, the beauty, sustainability and versatility of wood still shines through.