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How we build

Engineered in the factory, not improvised on site.

Modular house technology is a modern engineering solution that combines a classic timber frame with a panel construction approach, letting us build high-quality homes quickly and consistently. Every stage is carried out to ISO 9001:2015 standards.

Trident wall panels being assembled on the factory floor
Wall panels squared and sheathed under cover, before delivery.

ISO 9001:2015

Quality managed factory

BOPAS

Accredited system

Class A1

Non-combustible insulation

C24

Structural timber grade

The system

One engineering system, not a set of parts

Every component is designed against the same requirements: energy efficiency, moisture resistance and spatial rigidity, held across the whole life of the building.

Cutaway view of a Trident house showing its structure and layout

Structural framework

An American-style timber frame combined with Finnish wood processing: calibrated, planed, kiln-dried softwood of strength class C24.

Framework system

Load-bearing timber of strength class C24 with controlled moisture content of 12–15%, giving structural stability and predictable performance under load.

Temperature and humidity

The envelope is insulated with non-combustible Class A1 basalt wool. The layers are designed to manage moisture and heat, holding energy efficiency across the building’s service life.

Spatial stiffness

Rigidity comes from panel cladding and engineered connection points acting as stiffening diaphragms, resisting wind and horizontal loads.

Factory quality

Panels and modules are made in the factory to the design dimensions and assembly specification, which minimises error and cuts time on site.

Whole-system design

Every component forms part of one engineering system, designed around energy efficiency, moisture resistance and spatial rigidity for the whole life cycle.

Construction build-ups

Every layer, specified

The envelope is built up from the same set of layers whichever model you choose. What changes is the depth of the frame and the insulation within it. Select a thickness to see the full specification for each element.

Our standard envelope, suited to garden rooms, studios and seasonal or holiday use.

Layer diagram of a Trident pitched roof with 100 mm insulation

Pitched roof · 100 mm

  1. 1Roof coveringOptional
  2. 2Mounting batten35 mm
  3. 3Counter-batten35 mm
  4. 4Juta breather membrane
  5. 5OSB-312 mm
  6. 6Load-bearing frame95 mm
  7. 7Basalt wool insulation100 mm
  8. 8Juta vapour control membrane
  9. 9Internal finish mounting systemOptional
  10. 10Internal finishOptional
Layer diagram of a Trident flat roof with 100 mm insulation

Flat roof · 100 mm

  1. 1Roof coveringOptional
  2. 2Geotextile35 mm
  3. 3OSB-318–22 mm
  4. 4Juta breather membrane
  5. 5Load-bearing frame95 mm
  6. 6Basalt wool insulation100 mm
  7. 7Juta vapour control membrane
  8. 8Internal finish mounting systemOptional
  9. 9Internal finishOptional
Layer diagram of a Trident external walls with 100 mm insulation

External walls · 100 mm

  1. 1FaçadeOptional
  2. 2Mounting batten35 mm
  3. 3Juta breather membrane
  4. 4OSB-312 mm
  5. 5Load-bearing frame95 mm
  6. 6Basalt wool insulation100 mm
  7. 7Juta vapour control membrane
  8. 8Internal finish mounting systemOptional
  9. 9Internal finishOptional
Layer diagram of a Trident internal walls with 100 mm insulation

Internal walls · 100 mm

  1. 1Internal finishOptional
  2. 2Internal finish mounting systemOptional
  3. 3OSB-310 mm
  4. 4Load-bearing frame95 mm
  5. 5Basalt wool insulation100 mm
  6. 6Juta vapour control membrane
  7. 7Internal finish mounting systemOptional
  8. 8Internal finishOptional
Layer diagram of a Trident floor with 100 mm insulation

Floor · 100 mm

  1. 1Internal finishOptional
  2. 2OSB-318 mm
  3. 3Juta vapour control membrane
  4. 4Basalt wool insulation100 mm
  5. 5Load-bearing frame95 mm
  6. 6OSB-310 mm
  7. 7Rodent meshOptional

Layers marked optional are specified with you: façade material, roof covering and internal finishes are all your choice. Numbers correspond to the diagram beside each list.

The process

From production line to prepared foundation

01

Manufacture

Posts, beams, floors, panels and sections are made at the production site. Each panel is pre-assembled with façade and interior finishes, including insulation, OSB sheathing, waterproofing, vapour barrier and external cladding.

02

Quality control

Continuous checks at every stage of production and assembly. Our specialists verify that each process meets the standard, which is what makes the structures reliable and durable.

03

Materials

Material quality decides how long a house lasts. We use only high-quality, environmentally sound materials meeting the highest quality and safety standards.

04

Installation

The house is assembled on a prepared foundation using Trident’s own method for connecting wall panels and sections, giving a strong connection and a tight fit between elements.

Offsite construction

Timber frame modular construction UK: the four specifications

The same layer set runs through the 100, 150 and 200 mm specifications; the 250 mm option adds a counter-insulated layer across the studs. The table shows frame depth and insulation for each element of the envelope.

Specification Suited to External wallsPitched roofFlat roofFloor
100 mm Our standard envelope, suited to garden rooms, studios and seasonal or holiday use. 100 mm wool 95 mm frame 100 mm wool 95 mm frame 100 mm wool 95 mm frame 100 mm wool 95 mm frame
150 mm A step up in thermal performance, appropriate for year-round occupation in the UK climate. 150 mm wool 145 mm frame 150 mm wool 145 mm frame 150 mm wool 145 mm frame 150 mm wool 145 mm frame
200 mm A deeper frame and insulation layer for permanent homes where running costs matter most. 200 mm wool 195 mm frame 200 mm wool 195 mm frame 200 mm wool 195 mm frame 200 mm wool 195 mm frame
250 mm Our warmest specification: 200 mm within the frame plus a 50 mm counter-insulated layer that breaks the thermal bridge through the studs. 200 mm + 50 mm counter-insulation 195 mm frame 200 mm + 50 mm counter-insulation 195 mm frame 200 mm + 50 mm counter-insulation 195 mm frame 200 mm + 50 mm counter-insulation 195 mm frame

Offsite, then on site

Posts, beams, floors and panels are made at the production site with insulation, OSB sheathing, membranes and cladding already in place. On site the work is foundation, assembly and finishing.

Closed timber frame panels

Load-bearing C24 softwood at 12–15% moisture content, OSB-3 as the stiffening diaphragm, Juta breather and vapour control membranes either side of the insulation.

Quality control in the factory

Continuous checks at every stage of production and assembly, under ISO 9001:2015, with BOPAS accreditation of the system and a 60-year durability assessment.

Read the production story on factory-built homes, what to check in any modular building company, or see how the shell is bought on kit homes.

Want to know more about how we build?

Tell us about your site and requirements and we will get back to you with our initial thoughts.