All Timber Frames is a dedicated timber frame construction company based in Cheriton Fitzpaine, eight miles from Exeter.

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In addition to our usual fair of domestic contracts, we are currently erecting a farmhouse in Morchard Bishop, a pair of semi-detached houses in Lapford and we are also erecting a Boathouse for the Stoke Gabriel Boating Association – this particular building is located in a spectacular location, in a disused quarry at the end of Stoke Gabriel Creek, before it opens out into the River Dart.

The Boathouse building will consist of a boat storage area on the ground floor, a first floor club recreational room with changing facilities, and on the second floor, storage lockers for the members – Michael Simmons of Critical Mass Architects designed the building; naturally taking inspiration from boats, with the shape resembling an upturned yacht. The frame is a 235mm closed panel system, which achieves a U-value of 0.13 through the external wall panels. The day-by-day build programme is, however, being dictated by the tides, as the lorries and cranes need to access the site along the foreshore – so remember to keep an eye on our Facebook page for progress updates!

This project is sandwiched between two other non-domestic builds we are involved in:

We have just completed a job at Cleeve Abbey in Washford, Somerset, on a Medieval monastic site managed by English Heritage. The monastery was founded at the end of the 12th century by the Cistercian Order, and was disestablished in 1537 by Henry VIII during the Dissolution of the Monasteries. The Abbey Church soon fell into ruin… However, the domestic portion of the monastery was saved by being converted into a country house, and then farm storage buildings.

Archaeological work on the site of the 13th century ruined refectory – adjacent to the existing intact 15th century refectory – revealed a tiled floor that is in almost perfect condition. The heraldic motifs on the tiles have allowed the floor to be dated to between 1272 and 1300. English Heritage describes this floor as one of the finest medieval floors in the whole of Europe! As part of the conservation of the floor, a permanent timber structure was designed to protect it from the elements whilst allowing the visiting public to view it at close quarters. Our contract was to supply and erect the portal frames and roof structure. The frames were made using seasoned European Oak with stainless steel flitch beams – each of the six portals measured over 8 metres in width. Follow on trades are currently on site and the building should be finished in the next month or so.

The second non-domestic build, and our third public project, is to supply the timber frame for the new scout building for Sid Vale Scout Group in Sidmouth. The building, measuring about 25 metres by 11 metres, will include a climbing wall, a fully vaulted hall, as well as a first floor element with meeting rooms. The frame will be a 235mm closed panel system and is scheduled to be delivered to site at the beginning of October.