Light Timber Frame: what it is and why it has become a benchmark system

Light Timber Frame is a dry construction system based on lightweight structural timber frames, generally made up of studs and rails with reduced cross-sections, connected by timber-based sheathing boards (OSB or plywood). Unlike heavyweight construction systems, strength and stiffness are not derived from a single element, but from the combined behaviour of the frame, the sheathing boards and the mechanical connections.

Its widespread use is linked to three main factors: process industrialisation, speed of assembly and high energy performance. Light Timber Frame allows the prefabrication of walls, floors and roofs in factory conditions, reducing on-site works and improving quality control.

The Light Timber Frame system is now widely used in North America, where it represents the standard for residential construction, in the United Kingdom, in Northern Europe and in Ireland, as well as in Australia and New Zealand, thanks to its combination of rapid construction and seismic performance.

In continental Europe the system is gaining ground, often alongside or integrated with CLT solutions for more complex or multi-storey buildings.

Why build in Light Timber Frame

In terms of energy performance, light-frame structures provide an excellent balance between the total wall build-up and insulation thickness, making it easier to comply with NZEB and Passivhaus requirements. In general, this type of construction system has a lower self-weight than traditional heavyweight systems, making transport and handling easier. These characteristics require specific transport and lifting systems for Light Timber Frame construction.

Transporting Light Timber Frame elements to site

One of the key strengths of Light Timber Frame, as already mentioned, is the possibility to transport large prefabricated elements, such as walls complete with windows and doors or pre-assembled floor slabs.

Transport, however, requires particular attention to three aspects:

1. Deformation during handling, especially for long panels;

2. Lifting points, which must avoid stress concentrations;

3. Protection from moisture, during both transport and storage.

Walls are generally lifted using:

• lifting hooks temporarily screwed into the structural sheathing boards;

• gripping systems built into the frame;

• spreader bars for heavier loads.

Proper design of the lifting points reduces the risk of structural damage and simplifies on-site assembly. It is therefore advisable to use solutions that can be repeatedly applied to different elements, which are proportionately sized to the load being transported.
RAPTOR MINI is the “small” plate in the RAPTOR family, which, thanks to its compact dimensions, is ideal for fast and practical use both on site and in production. With just two screws, it can be fitted in moments, while the integrated swivel lifting hook ensures a safe and flexible lifting process, even in confined spaces.
Whether for timber structures or small building components, RAPTOR MINI is compact, robust and versatile, and is certified in accordance with the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC for loads up to 1.5 tonnes. When installed with VGS PLATE, it reaches its full potential. VGS PLATE is the screw specifically designed for lifting and the only one certified for multiple reuse, thanks to its hexagonal and Torx head and its intuitive colour coding, which clearly indicates when it needs to be replaced.

For even more agile handling, there's MANTIS: a practical, reusable lifting strap for lifting, transporting and positioning panels and other prefabricated elements.
Two holes, one pin – and MANTIS can lift loads of up to 1,250 kg.
During storage and transport of the elements, MANTIS can remain protected inside the hole. After lifting operations, both the blind and side holes can be sealed with TAPS. Made of 100% polyester, it is available in 50 and 100 cm versions.

Hooking and on-site installation of Light Timber Frame elements

During installation, Light Timber Frame construction requires geometric accuracy and well-defined assembly sequences. Although elements can be quickly positioned, temporary stability, wall perpendicularity and overall element alignment must be maintained until the final connections are completed.
GIRAFFE LITE is a tensioning assembly support specifically designed for lightweight systems. Used with a timber profile (minimum 60 × 60 mm), it allows the overall length of the brace to be freely set and adapted to different inclinations and heights, making it suitable for both compressive and tensile forces.

It is a lightweight and cost-effective solution for the temporary support of elements, as the timber profiles can be reused after dismantling.

To ensure uniform and precise alignment between timber panels – thereby guaranteeing the safety and quality of the assembly – panel pullers are also widely used in Light Timber Frame construction. These mechanical devices apply an adjustable tensile force between two timber elements, without impact or deformation, preserving both the timber surface and the geometry of the joint.
Thanks to its compact size, GEKO MINI is ideal for Timber Frame construction, as well as for aligning staircases and windows.
Its full rotation allows GEKO MINI to adapt easily in any direction, even on surfaces with complex geometries, and a single CRICKET – used as a handle – is sufficient to install all the GEKO MINI units required for the project.

The use of these tools helps maintain continuity of connections during the critical assembly phase; incorrect handling at this stage can result in walls being out of plumb, misalignment and difficulties when installing floors.

Once the structure is installed: connections, airtightness and acoustic performance in Light Timber Frame.

In Light Timber Frame construction, connectors must be "tailor-made".
It must be possible to apply screws without adding thickness to the timber surface, ensuring plates can be fastened to the same element without interference.

The thread size must be proportionate to the overall build-up: TBS FRAME, thanks to its short thread and fixed length of 1 1/3" (34 mm), is optimised for fastening multi-ply elements in light-frame construction.

When it comes to connecting walls, on the other hand, versatility and tolerance are key. WOODY is the timber connector for floors, prefabricated walls and roofs, installable on any timber surface – including OSB, gypsum-fibre and multi-ply panels – designed for fast, precise assembly of walls, floors and roofs in lightweight systems. Thanks to the 28 mm deep dovetail, WOODY allows a tolerance unachievable with metal plate systems.

Airtightness, waterproofing and vapour control

One of the most delicate aspects of the system is the building envelope. The typical Light Timber Frame build-up is complex and requires rigorous control of both air and vapour flows.

The main problem areas are:

• discontinuities in the internal vapour control membranes;

• installation errors at service penetrations;

• incorrectly sealed wall-to-floor and wall-to-roof junctions.

Without a coordinated system of membranes, tapes and seals, the risk of air infiltration and interstitial condensation is high: EASY BAND, VAPOR IN 120 and TRASPIR 110 are exemplary solutions for addressing these key problem areas.

Acoustic performance

Lightweight framing has a low mass, which can penalise acoustic insulation if not compensated by specific solutions. Controlling airborne and impact noise requires structural decoupling and proper management of the junctions between elements.
PIANO is the acoustic insulation material that reduces vibrations and provides a good level of acoustic comfort in lightweight structures and floors.

Light Timber Frame is a mature, efficient construction system that is highly suited to industrial production, but requires an integrated design approach. Its performance depends on the quality of the connections, the execution of transport and assembly and, above all, attention to detail.

When these key areas are addressed with appropriate technical solutions, Light Timber Frame stands out as one of the most rational options for contemporary timber construction, combining speed, cost control and high performance.