A quiet, peaceful location and a stress-free build
No strangers to home improvements, or Scotframe timber frame kits, Hayley Hinton and her partner, Andy, leapt at the chance to step up to their next project – self-building their very own home.
“My partner, Andy, is a builder, so he’s had experience of flipping houses, but he has never had the opportunity to build one from scratch.
“He’s always wanted to build his own house, so when he happened to mention this to his uncle, who purchases land, he made it his mission to find the perfect plot in Woodley for us. Expecting a long wait for that perfect spot, by pure chance, just two weeks later, a piece of land became available,” says Hayley.
And that’s how the stunning Whispering Pines build in Reading started its life.
Lockdown led to a ramp up
Beginning their self-build project at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic would’ve proved off-putting, if not impossible, for some. But Hayley and Andy explained that the impact from this was minimal when working with Scotframe.
The build itself was due to start in March 2020, with electricity and water swiftly installed, and just three months later, the footings were also in place.
In August, the couple’s first Scotframe delivery arrived, which Hayley was grateful for, whilst being slightly surprised there weren’t further delays, considering the unprecedented times.
Ten days later, the shell of the building was installed and ready for the next phase of the build.
Green agenda
With eco-friendliness at the forefront of their self-build process, Hayley and Andy found Scotframe’s timber frame kits a natural choice.
As energy prices began to soar, the couple wanted to ensure their build was as cost-effective to run and as energy efficient as possible. With this in mind, they opted to use an air source heat pump and heat recovery system to heat their home, which removes the need for a typical central heating system. This system not only helped to keep their home at a comfortable temperature all year round, but also lower their ever-increasing energy bills.
And alongside this effective system, the inclusion of Scotframe’s Valutherm+ unique factory injected, closed panel solution, increased the energy efficiency of the build even further.
Valutherm+ reduces the energy use over the lifetime of a home with high performance insulation injected into the structure to create an insulated frame. Valutherm+ meets current thermal building regulations and has also been used to achieve A-rated Energy Performance Certificates.
Scotframe steps up
Of course, with any new build, there can be niggles that crop up. But the team at Scotframe were able to quickly resolve any hiccups along the way, even in the most unprecedented times.
“Scotframe was brilliant from start to finish during our self-build – any time something was wrong, (not that there was a lot), they would go above and beyond to fix it,” Hayley says.
“A perfect example would be when we received privacy locks on-site. These happened to be brushed chrome and our handles were polished, so, once we mentioned this to them, they sent us replacements straight away, no questions asked.
“And when we had any queries, the Scotframe team was always at the end of the phone to help us – it was a huge help, particularly whilst navigating our first self-build project, alongside a global pandemic.”
“I would definitely use Scotframe,” says Hayley. “The experience was so easy and so efficient!”
Personal touches
Choosing to go ahead with a self-build project gives you the freedom to create a home that can be personalised to your own tastes and needs. And in Hayley and Andy’s stunning 1.75 storey build, you can see that thought has gone into every detail, creating a unique home which suits their needs and style.
Comprising four bedrooms, one bathroom and one ensuite, Whispering Pines is a study of modernity. White walls are contrasted with beautiful oak doors, while in the kitchen, the white, black, and oak work together to create a stunning social space packed full of functional features.
The exterior of Whispering Pines hasn’t been compromised, either. The exposed brick is complemented by dark wooden cladding, and the perfectly landscaped garden is surrounded by trees for privacy, with space ideal for entertaining friends and family.
To find out more about how Scotframe can help you build your dream home, contact one of our friendly and knowledgeable team.