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A timber-frame house kit forms the structural shell of your new home, precision-made from your own architectural drawings and delivered ready for construction on your plot. Wall panels, roof trusses and floor structures typically form the core of every kit, though the exact contents vary by design. This method of building is one of the most popular choices for self-builders in the UK, and it is easy to see why: for self-build clients across Cornwall and the UK, timber frame house kits usually mean a faster, more accurate build with far fewer weather delays.
Whether this is your first self-build or your third development, every kit we design and manufacture is bespoke. Unlike many suppliers in the timber frame kit market, we do not offer off-the-shelf packages. At Cornish Frame Company, an established timber frame manufacturer with over 30 years of building experience, we turn every set of drawings we receive into a precise, finished frame. Get the frame right, and the rest of your build tends to follow on smoothly. |
What's Included in Our Timber Frame Kits
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Every kit we produce is designed around your architect's drawings, so no two are exactly the same. A typical timber frame kit for a self-build house includes the following, each element crafted to the same precise standard regardless of your design.
A typical timber frame pack includes: • External wall panels - Precision-made to your design, with the openings for your windows and doors already formed • Internal partitions and load-bearing walls - Structural and non-structural walls, made to match your floor plan • Floor cassettes - Ready for installation onto your foundations • Roof trusses or panels - Engineered to suit your roof pitch, span and loading requirements • Window and door openings - Pre-formed and reinforced • Insulation - Open panel or closed panel options, depending on the level of thermal performance you want built in before delivery • Structural beams and posts - Where required by the design • Fixings, plates, and connectors - Matched to your structural specification • Detailed assembly drawings and schedules - so the build process runs smoothly Timber frame kits can be broadly grouped into two types: open-panel and closed-panel systems. Open panel frames arrive with the structural frame in place, ready for insulation and plasterboard fitting once installed. Closed panel frames come further finished, often with insulation and some services already built in. We will talk you through which system suits your project, your budget and your building programme, and through every practical detail in between. Doors and windows are not usually included as standard, since these are often specified once your design is finalised, but we are happy to advise on this as part of your wider plans. |
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Who We Work WithTimber frame kit homes suit a wide range of builds across Cornwall and the UK, from a first self-build to a multi-unit development. We work with:
Across the country, timber frame kit homes have become a popular choice for self-builders and developers alike, from single self-builds to larger building schemes. If you are still gathering inspiration for your design, or unsure how much support you need, that is a normal starting point and often the first step toward a clearer plan. Explore our design services when you are ready. |
The Benefits of a Timber Frame House
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Choosing a timber frame brings practical benefits recognised across the UK. The table below sets out what each one actually means for your project, from the day the frame arrives on site to how the finished house performs.
Speed - Timber frame kits speed up construction significantly compared with traditional masonry building. Once the foundations are ready, a typical home can be erected in two to three weeks, depending on the size and complexity of your design. Precision - Walls are precision-made to be plumb, and corners are cut square before the frame ever reaches your plot, leaving far less room for error during erection. Fewer delays - Panels are made in a controlled workshop; this approach reduces waste and avoids many of the weather delays that slow traditional building. Thermal performance - Wood is a natural thermal insulator, and a well-specified frame can achieve high levels of insulation, helping keep heating costs down for years to come Sustainability - Wood has a lower embodied carbon footprint than steel or concrete, making a timber frame a genuinely sustainable choice for a new home. Cost Certainty - With accurate quantities agreed at the design stage, a timber frame kit can help you manage your building budget with more certainty. |
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Cost-Effective, Precision-Manufactured ConstructionWe know cost is one of the first questions on most self-build clients' minds. Timber frame kit costs vary by design and complexity, so we will always talk you through what affects your price and the finer details before any manufacturing begins.
Because your frame is made to an agreed specification, there is less scope for the unexpected extras that can affect traditional masonry builds. That will not remove all uncertainty from a self-build, but it does mean your money is going into a frame built to last and gives you a clearer starting point for your budget. |
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Energy-Efficient Timber Frame HomesOur approach to energy-efficient design starts with the material itself. Wood is a natural thermal insulator, and the depth of a timber frame panel allows substantial space for insulation, which is one of the main reasons timber frame homes can achieve such high thermal performance.
Thicker panels generally provide higher levels of insulation, and we will walk you through the options that suit your energy targets and budget. Heavy timber beams form the main structure in an oak-frame house, while a standard timber frame relies on engineered sections. However, both approaches can achieve strong thermal performance when specified correctly. Choosing wood can also help you build a genuinely sustainable home. Wood has a lower embodied carbon footprint than steel or concrete, and timber-frame construction typically has lower upfront embodied carbon than masonry buildings, in line with current UK building regulations. For self-build clients who want a sustainable outcome, that matters as much as the finished energy performance. Once complete, a well-insulated frame can bring real savings. Timber frame homes tend to reduce heating costs and carbon footprint over the life of the building, and the airtightness achievable with a properly detailed frame is difficult to match with traditional construction. Your external walls can also be finished in a wide range of materials once the frame is up, including brick, render or wood cladding, so an energy-efficient frame need not limit your property's appearance, and it helps you create a comfortable home for the long term. |
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Our Process: From Drawings to Delivery
Every stage of your self-build journey, whether you're creating one of our timber-frame kit homes or a small extension, follows the same process. It starts with a conversation and ends with a frame that fits the first time, precision-manufactured at our mid-Cornwall workshop. Here's what typically happens in between:
- Initial conversation
We talk through your build, your plot and your vision for the finished house. This is where we get a clear picture of your project before anything is drawn up. - Design development
We work from your architect's drawings or provide design support if you need it to finalise the specification. We'll agree on every detail with you before production begins. - Manufacture
Your frame is precision-made at our workshop in mid-Cornwall by our dedicated team. Every panel and truss is checked against your drawings for accuracy. - Delivery
Components arrive pre-cut and numbered, ready for erection on your plot. Each piece is clearly identified, so it's easy to place correctly as the frame goes up. - Erection
It's available as a manufacturer-only supply or with our full installation service. Either way, your frame is built to fit the first time. - Completion
Your frame is signed off and ready for the next stage of your build. We're on hand if you have any questions once it's up.
Areas we deliver to
Our timber frame kits are manufactured in Cornwall and delivered across the country.
We regularly deliver to:
We regularly deliver to:
- South West: Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Dorset, and Wiltshire
- South East: Hampshire, Sussex, Surrey, Kent, and Berkshire
- Wales: South Wales and the West Wales coastline
- Midlands and North: project-dependent, please get in touch for delivery costs
Gold Standard Production from Our Mid-Cornwall Workshop
We aim to bring the same exacting precision to every aspect of your frame, from wall panels to roof trusses, because delivering a frame that fits the first time matters as much to us as it does to you. Whether you choose fabrication only or full installation, the same attention to detail applies, from the first cut to the final fixing, so the finished result meets your expectations.
If you are working with your own architect or a design and building team, we can assist at any stage of the process, from an early feasibility conversation through to a finished set of production drawings.
If you are working with your own architect or a design and building team, we can assist at any stage of the process, from an early feasibility conversation through to a finished set of production drawings.
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faq'sHow long does it take to manufacture a timber frame kit?
Production time depends on the size and complexity of your build. Once your design is finalised, we will give you a realistic timescale so it fits your wider building programme. Because your frame is precision-made off-site, erection on your plot is usually much quicker than with traditional building methods. Get in touch to discuss your project. How long does it take to erect a timber frame home once it arrives?
Timber frame homes can often be erected in around one to three weeks once foundations are ready, though this varies with the size and design of your house. Components arrive pre-cut and numbered, which helps keep erection teams efficient and accurate. What is the difference between open-panel and closed-panel kits?
Open panel kits arrive with the structural timber frame complete, ready for insulation and plasterboard to be fitted once erected. Closed panel kits arrive more complete, often with insulation and some services already installed. We can talk you through which system suits your build and your budget. How much does a timber frame house kit cost?
Timber frame kit costs vary by design and complexity, so there is no single figure that applies to every build. Once we understand your drawings, your plot and your specification, we will give you a clear, itemised quote with no hidden extras. Will my timber frame kit be designed specifically for my own home?
Yes. Every kit we produce is bespoke, designed from your own architectural drawings rather than taken from an existing pattern. We do not offer off-the-shelf packages, so your finished frame reflects your own home, your plot and your plans. Why are timber frame homes a smart choice for UK self-builders?
Timber frame homes are one of the most cost-effective ways to create a property in today's market. Whether you're building a family bungalow, a multi-storey home, or even a garden office, every aspect, from windows to wall details, is engineered for sustainability and performance. |
