42011
June 2025
Timber frame erectors raising the pace with CaberDek
The two business partners behind an ambitious new timber frame erection service view Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) and advanced building products such asWest Fraser'sweather protected flooring system,CaberDek,as offering the way ahead for the housebuilding industry. In fact, they believe that correctly designed and specified timber frame solutions will help meet Government targets, while also achieving wider environmental goals.
Wiltshire basedWiltstone Framingwas set up just two years ago by Aaron Wiltshire and Lewis Epplestone, who realised they had gained sufficient experience to strike out on their own and to see if they could win more work by establishing their own team to drive down completion times, while maintaining and even improving standards of quality. Now the company is earning the confidence of major timber frame manufacturers and their end clients, Wiltstone is taking on larger projects, and planning to steadily step up its output.
Aaron recounted: "I have been working in timber frame construction for eight years now, including a three-year apprenticeship, and we decided to start our own company in 2023 having already been trusted to run a number of sites where we were building houses for some of the big players such asTaylor Lane,PinewoodandFrame UK homes. We intend to carry on growing organically, training our own people, rather than getting too big too quickly which is where there's a danger of letting quality dip. We've ensured that our staff have got their tickets as supervisors and ‘slingers' for crane work. Normally, we do everything from the sole plate up to a felt-and-battened weathertight roof. For Taylor Lane, rather than installing prefabricated cassettes, we assemble the upper floor joists and install theCaberDekpanels, before it is lifted off by the crane and a birdcage scaffold is erected and the walls go up. CaberDek works really well in creating a weatherproof deck, though we always finish well within the 60 days the product is guaranteed for - normally it is two to three weeks before we are peeling off the protective film to leave a clean, sound surface. We use the D4 adhesive to ensure there's no creaks, while the lips and tongues are so strong, it's a really good product to lay, while you don't get creep on the joints."
Then referring to West Fraser's renownedSterlingOSB Zero, Aaron added: "Some of the manufacturers we work for, such as Donaldsons, fix the 18mm OSB over the top of their factory-made cassettes before they're delivered, and we install theCaberDekonce the roof goes on, but we also use it for jobs such as around the dormer roofs to support the leadwork in the valleys. It's a fast pace and we have a site coming up in Chippenham where the target is to erect 24 homes over a three-month period. Looking ahead, we are building some strong relationships and now have a total team of 12 erectors, carpenters and experienced labourers plus two apprentices we have taken on to train up fully ourselves - being able to cover an area from Somerset up to Oxfordshire and over to the M25. Basically, the business can tackle work anywhere two to three hours from Melksham."
Meeting BS EN312: part 5 standards, CaberDek provides a secure working surface with its robust non-slip film that will withstand impacts, punctures, and tears common on construction sites. For optimal bonding,CaberFix D4 adhesiveis recommended for secure the flooring to joists and sealing the tongue and groove joints, as well as around exposed edges. When used with CaberFix tape, it protects against spilled plaster, paint and the weather.
All West Fraser panel products produced in the UK arenet carbon negativeand manufactured in mills that have obtained the coveted environmental ISO 14001 accreditation. Responsibly sourced, the panels are FSC® certified (C012533) and created from locally grown timber, cutting embodied carbon from transportation.
For further information, call 01786 812 921 or visithttps://uk.westfraser.com/
-ends-
With Compliments:
Taylor Alden
media@tayloralden.co.uk