Timber Frame Houses On the Increase

An Interim Market Report published by the UK Timber Frame Association (UKTFA) reveals that since 1999 the market share for timber frame construction has more than doubled and now stands at 20.5% of all new housing in 2006. Although in real terms it still only represents around one in five new builds.

UKTFA figures show that more than 51,700 timber frame housing and commercial units were built in 2006, realising a growth of 8.1% on 2005. The value of the timber frame industry is also expected to have grown by 11% in 2006, rising to £542 million.

Bryan Woodley, Chief Executive of the UKTFA, says: “We expect timber frame housing to expand at about twice the rate of the average for the market, leading to further increases in market share in each of the years to 2009. I think we’ll see the highest growth in the social housing sector where timber frame is still expected to continue to outperform all other methods of construction.

As its name implies, timber frame construction is a method of building which relies on a timber frame as a basic means of structural support. Framed buildings are often referred to as ‘lightweight construction’.

It is estimated that by 2008 One in Four new homes will be timber frame and currently over 73% of new homes in Scotland are built using timber frame because of its suitability for a cold climate where homes need to be able to be built fast, be very energy efficient and keep people comfortable throughout the year.