2006 will be “the year of timber frame”, predicts the UK Timber Frame Association (UKTFA).
While the cost of bricks and blocks used in most new home construction will continue to rise disproportionately due to skyrocketing gas prices, the introduction of tough new building regulations expected in April will also encourage more housebuilders and housing associations to try timber frame construction – and the tangible business benefits of this way of building will keep the construction industry coming back for more, says the trade body.
A recent National Audit Office report commissioned by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister looked at how modern methods of construction can be used to build good quality homes more quickly and efficiently.
The report concluded that, when using modern methods of construction, such as timber frame, rather than more established techniques, it should be possible to:
- build up to four times as many homes with the same on-site labour.
- on-site construction time can be reduced by over a half.
- building performance can be at least as good.
With our extensive expertise in both Timber Framed design and Structural Insulated Panel design, McCarey Simmonds are ideally placed to benefit from the rise in timber frame construction.
