Solid timber

Brettstapel construction

Solid timber construction or Brettstapel is a method of using massive solid timber (usually) held together with hardwood pegs. Pioneered on the continent, it has a number of enthusiasts in Scotland. See also the Brettstapel web site

Log construction

Solid log construction has been a traditional method in parts of northern Europe, especially Norway. Partly due to the UK’s poor timber culture there are not many examples of large modern houses using the method although there are plenty of chalets, cabins, saunas and outbuildings.

See for instance Allan’s log house.  

Although it has never had a large following in the UK, there are several companies specialising in the method.

• Log Home Scotland
• Log Cabin UK
• Keops Log Cabins
• Artichouse
• Strongwood
• Abbey Log Cabins
• Erlund
• Mountain Lodge Homes
• Log Cabin Construction
• Cabinco
• Norwegian Log Cabins
• Copperwood

There are some good on-line resources such as

Logbuilding.org (a New Zealand web site)

Building regulations

The Building Regulations part A covers the structure of a building. The Approved DocumentsThese are a part of the Building RegulationsThese are the legal regulations which govern how a house is constructed. (not to be confused with Planning Permission which is about whether you are allowed to build the house at all or what it might look like) see Building Regulations) which ensure, if you follow them, that your plans will be automatically approved. The full set of the documents is available here part Apart A of the Building Regulations Approved Documents relates to Structure. See an abridged version which covers house building go into a lot of detail for traditional masonry buildings but almost none for timber frame, steel frame, earth building SIPsStructural Insulated Panels - prefabricated (usually in a factory) timber panels often forming part of an integrated building system and aimed at fast site erection. see more on SIPs etc. For these you will need to consult a structural engineer (while SIPs structures are usually handled by the manufacturer)

With most forms of construction there will be implications concerning fire safety. These are covered in the Building Regulations and you can see examples of how to conform with these in the Approved Documents Part B (Fire Safety)

The regulations include a section called “Part C – Site preparation and resistance to contaminants and moisture” which covers site remediation along with protection from nasties which might affect the construction and occupants such as damp, rain, radon etc. There is an abridged version of the Approved DocumentThese are a part of the Building Regulations which ensure, if you follow them, that your plans will be automatically approved. The full set of the documents is available here specially for houses.