December 22, 2025

You Can Trust Our Timber- Backed by a Lifetime Structural Guarantee

Why Kaplan Builds with Heavy-Duty Timber Frames

At Kaplan, we don’t cut corners when it comes to structure. We love construction, and we love building homes that are solid, stable, and built to last. That’s why our super-structure system uses 90mm x 45mm heavy-duty timber wall frames — a choice backed by history, engineering, and real-world performance.

Proven Strength Through History

Timber has been used in construction for thousands of years and continues to stand the test of time. Across Europe, the Americas, and Asia, timber buildings have endured for centuries. One of the most remarkable examples is Horyuji Temple in Japan, which has stood strong for over 1,300 years, built entirely from timber.

Unlike materials that rust or chemically react over time, timber remains stable and durable — which is why we confidently use it in every Kaplan home and back our builds with a Lifetime Structural Guarantee.

Timber vs Metal — The Facts

Some marketing claims suggest steel frames are stronger and longer-lasting than timber. In reality, most steel-framed homes are constructed from thin sheet metal — typically around 1.2mm thick — folded into channels rather than solid structural steel.

Compare that with Kaplan’s solid 90mm x 45mm timber frames:

• Solid timber weighs approximately 2.7kg per metre
• Metal channel framing weighs around 0.7kg per metre

That’s nearly four times less mass in metal framing. The greater weight and density of solid timber delivers superior strength and rigidity — something that’s immediately apparent when the two materials are compared side by side.

Timber — The Ultimate Renewable

In Australia, embodied carbon from construction activity contributes approximately 10% of total greenhouse gas emissions. These emissions come from the manufacturing, transport, and installation of building materials — making material choice increasingly important.

Responsibly sourced timber is:

• Renewable
• Naturally grown
• Carbon-storing (around 50% of wood’s dry weight is carbon)

Timber also requires significantly less energy to produce than steel or concrete, resulting in a lower embodied carbon footprint and making it a smarter, more sustainable choice for modern homes.

Comprehensive Termite Protection

There’s a common misconception that choosing metal frames eliminates termite risk. In reality, every home still contains timber — including cabinetry, skirtings, flooring, stairs, and internal joinery.

That’s why Kaplan takes a multi-layered approach to termite protection. Our homes include:

• Blue termite-treated structural timber, providing built-in protection to the frame
• A full perimeter reticulation pipe system, creating a continuous deterrent barrier around the entire home

The reticulation system allows for easy maintenance via re-treatment points around the perimeter, helping maintain long-term protection — even once driveways, paths, and landscaping are in place.

Built Strong. Built Smart. Built to Last.

With 90mm x 45mm heavy-duty timber frames, renewable materials, and comprehensive termite protection systems, Kaplan homes are designed for long-term strength, stability, and peace of mind.

You can trust our timber.