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For press releases and features in the current year, please see Latest News.

 

This section contains information from previous years, please click the relevant link to go to the required year.

 

 

Date: 28 Jan 2005

 

 

The development of Education & Training for an industry currently with no formal bespoke qualifications is a large undertaking. It requires a great deal of both time from experts in the industry, and finances in order to assess and document the requirements.

As noted in last year’s report, we were successful in obtaining support from the European Social Fund. In the end, we achieved a total of £98,000 of funding to assist with the development of Site Erector Training. £10,000 from Scottish Forest Industry Cluster, £10,000 from Scottish Enterprise and the balance from the European Social Fund.
Similarly, we have recently been successful in obtaining a second tranche of funding, totalling £147,000, £27,500 from Scottish Enterprise and the balance from the European Social Fund. This will allow us to develop training materials for design and manufacturing staff in Timber Frame.

 

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Date: 20 Jan 2005

 

The UKTFA is undertaking various research activities to assist the growth of the Timber Frame market share.
UKTFA has commissioned an opinion survey of the decision makers in the top UK House Builders to obtain, at first hand, their honest opinion of Timber Frame in construction. Our aim is not only to assess the barriers and opportunities for Timber Frame in these House Builders, but also to assess the attitude of the top decision makers as to whether there is a real will to include more Timber Frame in their construction portfolio.

Similarly, with Forestry Commission support, we have commissioned BRE to study the costs of Timber Frame compared to masonry in house building. Cost is both a real and perceived barrier for further increase in the use of Timber Frame. An independent report supported by practical data from our Membership will assist us to have greater understanding on how to address this issue.

The University of Stirling Housing Policy Unit has been commissioned to research into market barriers and opportunities in affordable housing in Scotland, and in particular, Glasgow. Glasgow is intending an investment in affordable housing of over £7billion and it is important that Timber Frame gets more than its fair share of this potential market over the next few years. With their good contacts in the affordable housing sector in Scotland, the University of Stirling will be advising the UKTFA on how best to exploit this opportunity. This research project is also kindly being sponsored by the Forestry Commission.

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Date: 6 Jan 2005

 

On the design competition for a £60,000 house…
The UK Timber Frame Association welcomes the announcement of the ‘Design for Manufacture’ competition with English Partnerships. There are likely to be several innovative solutions using Modern Methods of Construction, and we are excited to be at the heart of such a challenge. Many of our member companies will be closely involved in cutting-edge demonstration projects with developers, and new manufacturing solutions are already being discussed.

Timber frame is a well-established, Modern Method of Construction. It’s no pushover, but we know that it is already possible to build a home that reaches good standards of accessible design and environmental performance for £60,000 – timber frame technology regularly delivers such high quality, cost-effective homes across the UK. We are taking this message to the ‘Delivering Sustainable Communities Summit’ next week, and we are urging the housebuilding industry to talk to us about what we can offer.
£60,000 homes under construction now! – a case study
There have been many comments in the press suggesting that such a low construction cost will lead to homes that are low quality, cramped, expensive to run or uncomfortable to live in. We know that this is not the case.

Stewart Milne Group, the privately owned housebuilding company and UK’s leading timber frame manufacturer, has two sites currently under construction in Scotland that prove the opposite.

The sites in Aberdeen (one providing 30 two and three-bedroom homes, the other site providing 22 three-bedroom semis and apartments) are being built for the affordable housing sector in Scotland, and overall net construction costs (ie. excluding land) are in the region of £723/sq. m.

Obviously, total costs of construction of any site will vary, depending on the level of development risk involved – for example, if major infrastructure and community projects like schools and hospitals are required.

However, the use of timber frame construction on these sites allows a comfortably-sized three-bedroom home of 80 sq. m to be built for under £58,000, including labour costs, infrastructure (such as roads, sewers and drainage, and utility connections etc.) and a high standard of internal fixtures and fittings, including good quality kitchens and bathrooms that comply with the standards required by the Scottish Executive.

In fact, the standards for some of these homes vastly exceed normal requirements. Several of the properties built in Aberdeen are designed for residents with special needs, and include detached bungalows with full wheelchair access and other facilities for their needs. Thanks to timber frame’s natural advantages, the homes will be warm and cheap to run, easy to maintain, and quiet because of the very good sound insulation that can be achieved by this method of construction.

All the homes were constructed using open panel timber frame systems from Stewart Milne Timber Systems, and are compliant with EcoHomes, Decent Homes and the expected changes to Part L. They meet all Building Regulations and other requirements for acoustics, fire resistance and thermal performance. This Modern Method of Construction is considered a Category 2 OSM panellised system by the Housing Corporation.

On land use and density of development…

The UK Timber Frame Association supports the Government’s drive towards the more efficient use of land and higher density housing.

Timber frame helps developers to meet Government requirements for excellent urban design, with current densities up to 45 dwellings per hectare. Multi-storey timber frame buildings can provide high quality apartments and other forms of accommodation (including nursing homes and student accommodation).

No one has taken any risks. Issues such as construction process benchmarking, stability, differential movements, disproportionate collapse, compartmental fire and timber stair performance have all been assessed. Test results have proven that timber frames are well suited to multi-storey construction – which is great news for designers and developers looking to meet the latest requirements of PPG3 and best practice in urban design.

On the Code for Sustainable Buildings…

The UK Timber Frame Association has long supported the Government’s agenda on sustainable construction. We know that our industry can help public and private sector developers to meet robust new environmental standards – timber frame is sustainable, renewable, natural, recyclable and has low embodied energy as well as excellent thermal performance. Timber frame developments regularly achieve ‘Very Good’ and ‘Excellent’ ratings under EcoHomes.

Wood is effectively a carbon-neutral material, even allowing for transport. All of the Sustainable Buildings Task Group recommendations – and the challenges in the Code for Sustainable Buildings – are expected to be achievable using timber frame.

THINKING SUSTAINABLE BUILDING?
THINK TIMBER FRAME.

A written piece with the above title, The House Magazine, The Parliamentary Weekly on 17th January 2005. Please click here

 

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Date: 14 Dec 2004

Timber frame has experienced massive growth in medium rise building construction, according to the latest market report published by the UK Timber Frame Association (UKTFA), which indicates a significant 25% rise in its market share.

The report also shows timber frame industry sales have grown by nearly 20% in 12 months and production capacity has increased by over 20%, confirmation that the timber frame industry is gathering pace in the construction sector.

As well as medium rise building, the key market areas where timber frame has particularly developed include social housing, where it now holds a 40% share of the market. Timber frame has also extended its popularity in Scotland, raising its market share considerably to 63%, making it the most widely used construction method north of the border.

Bryan Woodley, Chief Executive of the UKTFA, commented: “This latest market report is very encouraging for the timber frame industry and demonstrates that timber frame has confirmed its status as a mainstream method of construction.

“The findings of the report show a growth in the use of timber frame across the UK and its increased use in projects over two storeys, for example, is testament to the drive for innovation within the industry. This area is particularly important at present, as flatted development is the fastest growing and largest residential sector in the UK and one where timber frame is making considerable headway, holding 13.3% of the market share.”

The number of timber frame dwellings grew by 7.9% in 2003, according to the report, considerably more than other building methods, which only grew by 4.6%. Bryan Woodley continued: “Importantly, this report highlights the pace at which the timber frame industry is growing, a trend which is only set to accelerate as the UK housing market increases.

“The report confirms that, as expected, the capacity of the industry is expanding and figures show that by 2005 it will be able to increase projected output by nearly a third, indicating that the timber frame industry is well prepared for the expected increase in demand. In fact, conservative predictions by the Association show that timber frame’s overall market share is likely to be over 17% by 2006, signalling an even brighter future for the industry.”

The UKTFA is the foremost authority on timber frame construction in the UK, representing over 80% of timber frame manufacture. The Association is committed to increasing the use of timber frame in the UK by educating and informing the industry and consumers, and providing additional support and information to its members.

 

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Date: 14 Dec 2004

Timber frame now holds a significant 63% share of the Scottish new homes market, according to the latest market report published by the UK Timber Frame Association (UKTFA), making it the most widely used construction method in the country.

The report shows considerable year on year growth in both the private and social housing markets, 11% and 9% respectively, with timber frame now accounting for 61% of the social housing market and 70% of the private housing market.

Across the UK, timber frame industry sales have grown by nearly 20% in 12 months and the report demonstrates a significant increase in production capacity of over 20%. The key market areas UK-wide where timber frame has particularly developed are social housing, where timber frame holds a 40% share of the market, and medium rise buildings, where timber frame use has grown by nearly 25%.

Bryan Woodley, Chief Executive of the UKTFA, commented: “This latest market report is very encouraging for the timber frame industry and demonstrates that timber frame has confirmed its status as the mainstream method of construction in Scotland.

“The findings of the report show a growth in the use of timber frame across the UK and its increased use in projects over two storeys, for example, is testament to the drive for innovation within the industry. This area is particularly important at present, as flatted development is the fastest growing and largest residential sector in the UK and one where timber frame is making considerable headway, holding 13.3% of the market share.”

The number of timber frame dwellings across the UK grew by 7.9% in 2003, according to the report, considerably more than other building methods, which only grew by 4.6%. Bryan Woodley continued: “Importantly, this report highlights the pace at which the timber frame industry is growing, a trend which is only set to accelerate as the UK housing market increases.

“The report confirms that, as expected, the capacity of the industry is expanding and figures show that by 2005 it will be able to increase projected output by nearly a third, indicating that the timber frame industry is well prepared for the expected increase in demand. In fact, conservative predictions by the Association show that timber frame’s overall market share in the UK is likely to be over 17% by 2006, signalling an even brighter future for the industry.”

The UKTFA is the foremost authority on timber frame construction in the UK, representing over 80% of timber frame manufacture. The Association is committed to increasing the use of timber frame in the UK by educating and informing the industry and consumers, and providing additional support and information to its members.

 

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Date: 13 Dec 2004

As part of its on-going campaign to provide accurate and detailed information support to construction professionals, the UK Timber Frame Association (UKTFA) has developed the ‘Timber Frame Technical Pack’. The comprehensive guide, which has been compiled by experts at the UKTFA, comprises the most practical and useful information on constructing using timber frame that is currently available.

The pack contains 18 different sources of information, including training packages for sales, technical and site personnel; details on meeting Building Regulations using timber frame; and the environmental performance of timber frame. The TRADA ‘bible’; ‘Timber Frame Construction’ is also included in the pack, alongside the BRE’s ‘Multi-Storey Timber Frame Buildings – a Design Guide’.

Bryan Woodley, Chief Executive of the UKTFA, commented: “The timber frame industry is undergoing significant expansion and as its popularity develops it is essential that accurate technical information is available to housebuilders, developers, housing associations and architects.

“The Timber Frame Technical Pack is designed to provide detailed up-to-date information to ensure construction professionals have a good understanding of the capabilities of building using timber frame so they can fully exploit its benefits.”

Included in the pack are lists of UKTFA members, including manufacturers, designers, erectors and companies in the timber frame supply chain. Bryan Woodley continued: “As well as essential technical information, the pack includes a reference to UKTFA members across the timber frame industry. This allows construction professionals to quickly and easily identify UKTFA members that are Q-Mark accredited, which is a standard that housebuilders, developers, architects are now demanding.”

The Timber Frame Technical Pack is available to buy on the UKTFA website for £145.00. Click here

The UKTFA is the foremost authority on timber frame construction in the UK, representing over 80% of timber frame manufacture. The Association is committed to increasing the use of timber frame in the UK by educating and informing the industry and consumers, and providing additional support and information to its members.

 

 

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Date: 13 Dec 2004

As part of its on-going campaign to provide comprehensive information support to self builders, the UK Timber Frame Association (UKTFA) has developed the ‘Timber Frame Home Builder’s Pack’. The comprehensive guide comprises the most practical and useful information on self building in timber frame that is currently available and is a ‘must have’ for self builders.

The pack contains 15 different sources of information that have been compiled by experts at the UKTFA and cover all the vital elements of a self build project. Bryan Woodley, Chief Executive of the UKTFA, commented: “One in four of all detached houses are now self built. 20,000 people in the UK are now building their own homes to enjoy the flexibility of design and location and benefit from the cost savings self building usually delivers, and the majority of these self builders are choosing timber frame. It is important, therefore, that these self builders have access to accurate, up-to-date information on the capabilities of timber frame so they can fully exploit its benefits.”

The Home Builder’s Pack is designed to provide detailed information on all aspects of constructing your own home using timber frame, from choosing a plot to erection. Also included are lists of UKTFA members, including manufacturers, designers and erectors to provide quick reference of high quality timber frame companies that are Q-Mark accredited.

Bryan Woodley continued: “The pack will provide an essential basis of knowledge for the self builder to then begin further detailed discussion about their plans with a professional timber frame designer and manufacturer. Importantly the Home Builder’s Pack allows self builders to achieve a better understanding of timber frame and, ultimately, gain greater control over their project.”

The Timber Frame Home Builder’s Pack is available to buy on the UKTFA website for just £39.00. Click here

The UKTFA is the foremost authority on timber frame construction in the UK, representing over 80% of timber frame manufacture. The Association is committed to increasing the use of timber frame in the UK by educating and informing the industry and consumers, and providing additional support and information to its members.

 

 

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Date: 27 Jul 2004

A new drive to cut greenhouse gas emissions will be at the heart of an industry Code for Sustainable Buildings, said Deputy Prime Minister, John Prescott today.

Nearly fifty per cent of CO2 emissions in the UK are caused by building, maintaining and occupying buildings. Our homes alone account for around twenty five per cent.

The Government gave the green light to the Code in its response to the Sustainable Buildings Task Group report, in which experts from the private, public and non-government sectors pinpointed ways in which industry and Government can work toegether to promote sustainable development.

The new code will establish higher standards for energy and water efficiency, as well as waste and use of materials. This will help to deliver truly sustainable buildings and is expected, through increased efficiency, to generate substantial savings for industry and consumers. Government calls on the whole of the building industry to embrace the Task Groups recommendations.

The first outline of the Code should be complete in time for the Sustainable Communities Summit in January 2005.

This has been formally welcomed by 3 Secretaries of State, namely Deputy Prime Minister, John Prescott, Environment Secretary, Margaret Beckett, and Secretary of State for the Department of Trade and Industry, Patricia Hewitt.

For the news release from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, Member of the Task Group and Chief Executive of the UK Timber Frame Association, Bryan Woodley, was asked to provide the fourth quotation as follows:

"The united approach from three important government departments in welcoming the Code gives a positive and proactive foundation to allow industry to deliver communities and buildings fit for this and future generations.

Even the Codes more aspirational aspects are achievable using timber in construction and co-operative follow-up actions are now being progressed with Government, CPET, Forestry Commission, WWF, Energy Saving Trust, WRAP, BRE and TRADA as well as a broad cross-section of Industry and its supply chain."

The Code should be complete by the end of 2005, in order to take action on a national rollout by early 2006.

 

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·  Managing your own Self Build house or extension

·  Understanding the personal input to Self Building

·  Choice of Building Plot

·  Building Trades jargon

·  Statutory regulations: Planning Control & Building Regulations

·  Employing an Architect or Surveryor

·  Building Technology: Foundations, Superstructure, Timber Frame, Roof Structures, Finishes, Services

·  Understanding Plans, Specifying and Quantifying Materials

·  Determining Building Costs and Financing your Project

·  Programming Work Sequence

Duration
The course runs one evening (Thursday) per week for 16 weeks

·  September 2004 - January 2005

·  February 2005 - May 2005

For more details

Phone the Marketing Section on 0141 566 4150
Glasgow College of Building & Printing
60 North Hanover Street, Glasgow, G1 2BP

 

 

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The UKTFA continues to grow in Membership and during 2004, the following have joined the Association:

·  E R Construction

·  European Timber Systems Ltd

·  Gunnebo Ltd

·  HSB Soft

·  MTE (Leicester) Ltd

·  OFP Limited

·  PTG Treatments Ltd

·  Sydenhams Timber Systems Ltd

·  Team Contracts

·  Xtratherm UK Ltd

On behalf of the Board and the existing Members, UKTFA wishes all these new Members a warm welcome.

 

 

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22 Timber Frame Manufacturing Members have obtained Q-Mark and 15 such Members have now achieved Q-Mark Plus.
These represent about 60% of UK Timber Frame Manufacture. Another remaining 8 Manufacturing Members are making good progress.

Much focus is now coming onto Timber Frame Erectors and Team Contracts are the first such Member to achieve Q-Mark Plus.

Also, Timber Frame Designers are now being further encouraged to obtain Q-Mark.

So that we have a fully integrated supply chain, one of the UKTFA Board Members , Doug Cullen, is now investigating options for all categories of industry suppliers to become involved in the Q-Mark system.

 

 

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The UK timber frame industry is leading the way in Europe for medium rise timber frame construction. Social housing and acoustic technology are also areas of excellence for the UK timber frame industry, according to a contingent from the European Federation of Prefabricated Building, who visited the UK in June to learn more about innovation and technology developed by leaders in the UK timber frame manufacturing industry.

The visit, which was organised by the UK Timber Frame Association (UKTFA), marks the beginning of a closer relationship between the UK and European timber frame industries. The Austrian representatives visited Pace Timber Systems’ factory in Milton Keynes and the sites of two of its current projects, the Potton Show Centre in St. Neots and one of Stewart Milne’s current projects, an all timber frame seven storey block of flats, as well as the highly automated Stewart Milne factory in Witney.

Bryan Woodley, Chief Executive of the UKTFA, organised this visit following a fact-finding trip he made to Austria in September 2003, where he attended the European Federation of Prefabricated Building’s bi-annual general meeting. He commented: “By creating strong links with our European counterparts, both parties have the opportunity to learn a great deal from each others strengths. We are able to share knowledge and expertise in a wide range of areas, such as design technology, manufacturing, construction and marketing.”

The UK timber frame industry leads the way in Europe in a number of areas including medium rise construction; social housing; and acoustic technology. The timber frame industry across the rest of Europe, however, has made considerable advances in closed panel technology and factory manufactured house sections. Timber frame is also far more popular in Europe than the UK, for example, in Austria timber frame’s market share is twice that of the UK.

Bryan Woodley added: “Another area where the European timber frame industry is making great strides is marketing, the success of which is demonstrated by timber frame’s market share in Europe. The timber frame industry in Austria, in particular, puts a strong focus on marketing. For example, the Blaue Lagune park in Austria is the largest show centre in Europe. The centre contains over 80 factory manufactured show houses from 48 different manufacturers and receives an impressive 350,000 visitors every year.”

Although the timber frame market in the UK is going from strength-to-strength, 15% of all new build housing and 30% of new build social housing, it still lags behind rest of the developed world, where 70% of low rise residential housing is constructed using timber frame. Bryan Woodley concluded: “There is a lot to be learnt from countries where timber frame is the first choice for housebuilders and developers and the UKTFA believes forging strong links such as this will serve to have a very positive effect on the timber frame industry in the UK and the rest of Europe.”

The UKTFA is the foremost authority on timber frame construction in the UK, representing over 80% of timber frame manufacture. The Association is committed to increasing the use of timber frame in the UK by educating and informing the industry and consumers, and providing additional support and information to its members.

 

 

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As part of a nation-wide campaign to further improve quality and workmanship, this Pocket Guide provides information on correct procedures in constructing domestic Timber Frame structures. It should be read in conjunction with all project specific drawings and technical details.

This has been technically endorsed by NHBC and Zurich and financially sponsored by Norbord and The A Proctor Group.

It highlights:

·  Information you should refer to

·  The build sequence

·  A checklist of "What you should look for".

·  Key areas - requiring special attention

It is available from the UKTFA Online Shop and also at a discount for bulk orders for UTKFA Members.

 

 

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Bryan Woodley, Chief Executive of the UK Timber Frame Association (UKTFA) has hailed the Sustainable Buildings Task Group (SBTG) report, ‘Better Buildings – Better Lives’, as ‘good news’ for the timber frame industry. This report is the latest of many advocating the use of timber frame, the most recent of which include The Barker Review and Sir John Egan’s ‘Skills for Sustainable Communities’.

The SBTG was set up following the Better Buildings summit in October 2003 by the ODPM, DEFRA and the DTI. The group was tasked with identifying specific, cost-effective measures that the construction industry could deliver in the short and long term to improve the quality and performance of buildings, as well as look at ways in which the Government could help the industry adopt these changes. In order to achieve the overall aim, the SBTG focussed on four areas including water; energy; waste reduction; and timber and other construction materials.

Bryan Woodley, who represented the timber frame industry on the Task Group, commented: “The SBTG report has crucially highlighted the importance of constructing high quality, sustainable buildings using environmentally conscious methods and materials. This is an issue that the timber frame industry has been promoting for some years and it is vital that the construction industry, with the support of the Government, adopts the principles of sustainable development in practice to reduce negative impact on the environment.”

To help facilitate and standardise change, at the centre of the SBTG report is a ‘Code for Sustainable Building’ (CSB). The code sets out best practice on a number of environmental areas such as energy efficiency, water consumption, emissions, flood resistance and waste production and aims to raise quality standards and the use of sustainable natural resources in construction.

Bryan Woodley continued: “All of the SBTG report recommendations are readily achievable using timber frame, which not only meets minimum standards required by Building Regulations, but also satisfies the more aspirational demands of the CSB. Timber frame is currently used for over 15% of all new build housing and a third of all new social housing and, as methods of sustainable development become more widely adopted, these figures are set to rise considerably.”

The SBTG report also recommends that Government funding be provided to implement a ‘Central Point of Expertise on Timber’ (CPET). Bryan Woodley explained: “This will provide Government purchasers with guidance on identifying timber frame from well-managed sources, encouraging its use in the public sector. The CPET initiative will be very instrumental in helping the construction industry make the necessary move to timber frame and, in due course, the service may be extended to the private sector and hence it could become self financing.”

This is just one example of the follow up to the SBTG report that the timber frame industry will be working on, together with organisations linked to the industry and the Government, to facilitate the use of timber frame. Others include the production of more user-friendly guidance on issues such as procurement, life cycle analysis and product labelling, energy conservation of timber frame buildings, flood resilience, recycling and waste minimisation, the use of UK sourced timber and initial cost and whole life cost for timber frame buildings.

The Association also aims to help the industry improve communication to all relevant parties, such as local authorities and housing associations, as well as raise the industry’s profile at events such as the ‘Delivering Sustainable Communities Summit’ in 2005.

The UKTFA is the foremost authority on timber frame construction in the UK, representing over 80% of timber frame manufacture. The Association is committed to increasing the use of timber frame in the UK by educating and informing the industry and consumers, and providing additional support and information to its members.

 

 

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The 48 page Part E technical guidance document entitled Resistance to the Passage of Sound - Part E Guidelines (England & Wales) is finally available!

As this has been a major exercise and a big expense to prepare, it has been decided to print a large number of copies and make it available to Members at cost of run-on printing only (£1.50 per copy for 10 copies or more). This low cost is aimed at Members buying large quantities and distributing it widely to customers, clients, architects, etc.

At the press launch on 27^th May it was noted that it is available free from UKTFA Members and a large white space is available on the back cover for a “supplied by” label with your company name, logo and contact details. If a person wants less than 10 copies, we are charging £5 per copy with a cheque in advance for administrative reasons.

The UKTFA gratefully acknowldges the financial support of the following in the preparation of this document: wood for good; the UKTFA Engineered for Wood committee namely Boise Building Products, FinnForest, Gang-Nail, James Jones and Sons, Masonite Beams, MiTek Industries, TrusJoist & Wolf Systems; and the UK Forest Producers Association.

This document deals with houses, flats and rooms for other residential purposes. It provides guidance to specifiers and designers on timber framed wall and floor constructions which, if constructed with good standards of workmanship, should meet the requirements of the 2003 edition of Approved Document E.

 

 

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The UK Timber Frame Association (UKTFA) has produced a definitive technical guidance document for designers and specifiers of timber frame systems, which contains robust details and site-tested solutions to simplify compliance with Approved Document E (England and Wales) of the Building Regulations.

The document addresses the requirements for residential properties and looks at floor and wall design, including party walls, party floors, internal walls and intermediate floors. Examples of specific details can be found in the document, which include solutions to traditionally ‘weak’ areas for sound insulation, such as junctions and service areas. Also covered in the document is sound absorption in corridors, hallways, stairwells and entrance halls that provide access to residential properties.

The main focus of the document relates to timber frame party walls and party floors, which must comply with requirement E1 of the updated Part E. This covers sound protection from other parts of the building and adjoining buildings. To simplify the solutions, the party wall has been divided into three separate layers and the party floor has been divided into eight separate layers, each with its own set of performance requirements. For each layer, a range of product variables has been identified to enable the architect to ‘pick and mix’ materials and comprise a solution that is suits both them and the project, allowing maximum design flexibility.

Timber frame internal walls and intermediate floors, which must comply with requirement E2 of the updated Part E, are addressed in the document using a similar format. A range of appendices provide additional information on a range of subjects, including acoustic performance of timber party floors supported on masonry walls; plasterboard types and surface mass; and sources of information.

Bryan Woodley, Chief Executive of the UKTFA, comments: “This technical guidance document is designed to take the hassle out of complying with the new Part E requirements. The solutions it provides have been put together by experts in the timber frame industry and all have been proven by on-site testing, which looked at their buildability as well as their ability to meet Part E.”

The UKTFA document also puts a strong focus on the importance of workmanship. Bryan Woodley explained: “Experience over many years of on-site acoustic testing to meet Scottish requirements has highlighted that, no matter how good the design, if workmanship is poor, then all forms of construction can yield poor acoustic performance. We have therefore incorporated key workmanship advice into the document, together with checklists, which we consider to be an integral element.”

The UKTFA document on the new Part E requirements is the second in what will become a series of technical guidance documents, which will provide a comprehensive guide to meeting Building Regulations using timber frame systems. Copies of this document are available free of charge from UKTFA members. A full list of members and their contact details can be found on the UKTFA website www.timber-frame.org.

The UKTFA is the foremost authority on timber frame construction in the UK, representing over 80% of timber frame manufacture. The Association is committed to increasing the use of timber frame in the UK by educating and informing the industry and consumers, and providing additional support and information to its members.

 

 

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27^th April 2004

 

 

Timber frame is fast developing its status as a mainstream method of construction. As a growing number of housebuilders and developers have moved away from masonry construction methods, opting instead for the design flexibility and buildability of timber frame, this increasingly popular building method has enjoyed a consistent increase in market share year-on-year for the last five years.

 

Timber frame accounts for 15.2% of all new build houses and 30% of all new social housing in England and Wales, and over 60% of new build houses in Scotland. These figures represent a valid indication of timber frame’s growing popularity, but what has led to this significant shift in the construction industry’s approach to building?

 

 

In recent years the Government has been eager to see the construction sector move forward and become a more productive industry. Initiatives such as Rethinking Construction and Movement for Innovation have stimulated concerns over energy efficiency, sustainability, affordability and the environmental impact of construction, issues which now play a key role in the industry.

 

Reflecting these Government concerns, Building Regulations have become far more stringent in an attempt to raise standards right across the construction sector. As a result, an increasing number of housebuilders and developers are having to demand more than ever before from a building product and are finding that masonry construction techniques are just not making the grade.

Bryan Woodley, Chief Executive of the UK Timber Frame Association (UKTFA), explained: “Helpful pressure from the Government to use sustainable, environmentally sound building products, combined with the tightening Buildings Regulations have had a very positive impact on the popularity of timber frame. Timber frame systems not only meet Government demands and Building Regulations requirements, they also outperform many other building products in areas such as thermal and acoustic performance.”

 

 

The Government now stipulates that all partners in the building industry must contribute to reducing overall CO2 emissions. This has led to planning and fiscal policy favouring ‘green’ development and ever tightening thermal requirements, covered in Building Regulations Part L, which aims to improve the energy efficiency of buildings.

 

Bryan Woodley continues: “Part L currently states that the U-value for external walls must be no greater than 0.35W/m2K in England and Wales, and 0.30W/m2K in Scotland and further reductions are anticipated in the next few years. As timber is a naturally insulating material, timber frame systems can more easily meet these requirements than masonry alternatives. For example, timber frame technology has developed to a stage where properties can be designed that do not need space heating systems at all – reducing overall CO2 emissions and heating bills.”

 

 

Acoustic performance is one of the latest issues to be addressed by Building Regulations, with the introduction of the latest edition of Part E for England and Wales.

 

On this issue Bryan Woodley comments: “These developments are very encouraging for the timber frame industry. Timber frame can achieve Part E requirements for party walls far more effectively than other methods of construction, due to the combination of acoustic de-coupling and sound deadening mass inherent in the construction of the frame itself.”

 

 

Sustainable construction and sustainable communities are also currently issues of particular concern for the Government. This has most recently been highlighted by the formation of the Sustainable Buildings Task Group, set up to identify cost effective methods to improve the quality and environmental performance of buildings.

 

Bryan Woodley, who represents the UKTFA on the Task Group, says: “The issue of sustainability is growing and housebuilders and developers are under increasing pressure to use sustainable building products. Timber frame has a genuinely unique combination of environmental credentials matched by no other building product; it is sustainable, renewable, natural, recyclable and has low embodied energy.  Importantly, the UKTFA also positively supports sustainable construction and encourages its Members to follow a Code of Practice that includes the active promotion of the use of timber products sourced from well-managed sustainable sources.”

 

European softwood plantations are currently in surplus production with standing stocks of timber increasing annually by 252 million cubic metres – almost 30 times the UK annual consumption of wood*. In order to police timber trading, an internationally recognised system of third party timber certification and labelling is currently emerging that allows timber companies to provide assurances that their timber has originated from sustainable managed sources, a move supported by the UKTFA.

 

As well as these environmental and energy efficiency credentials demanded by Government, timber frame has also demonstrated that it offers numerous practical benefits for housebuilders and developers that fundamentally improve the construction process and greatly reduce overall project costs. For example, timber frame offers 30% shorter build times than masonry construction, which leads to a much faster return on investment. The flexibility of timber frame means design capabilities are greatly increased and precision factory engineering offers predictable high quality with fewer defects. Factory manufacture also reduces on-site waste, loss by theft and makes for a tidier, and importantly, safer, site.

The lighter overall weight of a timber frame building requires reduced and less expensive foundations and allows more brownfield sites to be redeveloped. Also, using timber frame means removing brickwork from the critical path, allowing subsequent trades to begin work sooner, reducing drying out time for wet trades, and therefore the risk of shrinkage cracks and expensive call backs.

 

In light of these benefits, it is easy to see why over 70% of the population of the developed world live in timber frame housing and why timber frame accounts for 90% of low-rise buildings in USA and Canada. The UK is beginning to follow suit, with a growing number of builders and developers, including eight out of the top ten housebuilders, adopting timber frame systems for new build projects across the UK.

 

Bryan Woodley concludes: “In recent years timber frame has demonstrated that it has the design flexibility, speed of build and environmental and energy efficiency credentials to satisfy Government pressures, Building Regulations and meet the needs of builders, as well as consumers. As demand is increasing, a growing number of timber frame manufacturers are beginning to enter the market in order to provide greater capacity and offer new ideas and technology, which can only serve to have a positive effect on the industry and make for a brighter future for UK construction.“

 

 

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27^th April 2004

In recent years the Government has been eager to see the construction sector move forward and become a more productive industry. Initiatives such as Rethinking Construction and Movement for Innovation have stimulated concerns over energy efficiency, sustainability, affordability and the environmental impact of construction. Sustainable construction and sustainable communities, in particular, have most recently been highlighted by the formation of the Sustainable Buildings Task Group, set up to identify cost effective methods to improve the quality and environmental performance of buildings.

 

The combined efforts of these Government backed initiatives have served to highlight areas for improvement in housebuilding, in terms of productivity, whole life cost effectiveness and the environment. These issues now play a key role in the housebuilding industry and, combined with increasingly stringent Building Regulations, social housebuilders have to demand more than ever before from a building product.

 

Bryan Woodley is chief executive of the UK Timber Frame Association (UKTFA) and represents the timber frame industry on the Sustainable Buildings Task Group. He comments: “An increasing number of housing associations and other RSLs are recognising that masonry construction is not easily meeting many of the standards the Government now requires for new build residential properties. Timber frame, however, has demonstrated that it not only meets these demands, but in some cases exceeds them, and, consequently, a growing number of housebuilders have adopted timber frame systems for new build projects across the UK. Timber frame now accounts for a significant 30% of new build social housing in England and Wales.”

 

This figure is proportionately more than timber frame’s share of the housebuilding market as a whole in England and Wales, which is 15.2%. However, timber frame has enjoyed a consistent increase in market share year-on-year for the last five years and, with eight out of the top ten housebuilders now using timber frame, the UKTFA is confident this is set to continue.

 

In particular, the UKTFA anticipates a significant increase in demand following the release of the final recommendations of the Barker Review, a report that looks at the issue of housing supply in the UK. The report highlights the long term upward trend in real house prices that the UK has been experiencing; 2.4 per cent per annum over the last 30 years. It makes clear, that in order to deliver greater affordability, this trend must be reduced.

 

Bryan Woodley explains: “The report indicates that in order to restrict the trend in real house prices to around 1.8 per cent, an additional 70,000 houses each year in England might be required. To bring the real price trend in line with the EU average of 1.1 per cent, an extra 120,000 houses each year might be required. In order to meet these significant figures, the recommendations have set the housebuilding industry challenging targets to improve performance, service quality and consumer satisfaction, and importantly improve production techniques. These calls underline the value of off-site construction and, particularly, timber frame, which is very positive for our members.”

 

However, it has not all been left to the construction industry. The recommendations also call for the speeding up of planning to enable developments to progress more quickly in the early stages. Bryan Woodley continues: “Timber frame’s speed of build dovetails ideally with this concept of speeding up the housebuilding process right through from the initial stages to completion. Exemplar projects use partnership with timber frame manufacturers from the outset to achieve economies, speed and quality.”

 

Inextricably linked to the issue of increasing the level of construction is the issue of reducing CO2 levels. The Government now stipulates that all partners in the building industry must contribute to reducing overall CO2 emissions in an attempt to meet UK and EU targets. In light of this, there is extreme pressure from the Government to ensure all new housing is constructed using energy efficient methods and materials that make for energy efficient buildings.

 

Bryan Woodley comments: “Part L of the Building Regulations, which aims to improve the energy efficiency of buildings, currently states that the U-value for external walls must be no greater than 0.35W/m2K in England and Wales, and 0.30W/m2K in Scotland, with further reductions anticipated in the near future. As timber is a naturally insulating material, timber frame systems can more easily meet these requirements than masonry alternatives.

 

“Timber frame manufacturers are aware, however, that housing associations and other RSLs have long been demanding performance characteristics over and above minimum Building Regulations across the board. In response, our members have developed various degrees of enhanced building solutions to meet these requirements. For example, timber frame technology has developed to a stage where properties can even be designed so that they do not need space heating systems at all – reducing overall CO2 emissions and heating bills.”

 

Similarly, timber frame manufacturers have been making developments in acoustic performance, one of the latest issues to be addressed by Building Regulations, with the introduction of the latest edition of Part E for England and Wales.

 

On this issue Bryan Woodley says: “These developments are very encouraging for the timber frame industry. Timber frame can achieve Part E requirements for party walls far more effectively than other methods of construction. The combination of acoustic de-coupling and sound deadening mass inherent in the construction of the frame itself is extremely effective in this area.”

 

As a result of benefits such as these, timber frame is fast developing its status as a mainstream method of construction. Government pressures through task groups and Building Regulations have led to growing numbers of housebuilders moving away from masonry construction methods and opting, instead, for the design flexibility, buildability and environmental credentials of timber frame.

 

Bryan Woodley concludes: “Importantly, the timber frame industry has the capacity and is fully geared up to meet this significant increase in demand, which is only set to continue to rise as more housebuilders recognise the benefits of timber frame. In addition to capacity, however, UKTFA members have the knowledge and the commitment to develop existing and new ideas and technology to ensure timber frame remains the only building method that can truly fulfil the housing needs of today’s modern society.”

 

 

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7^th April 2004

The use of timber frame in Scotland is at an all time high, now representing over 60% of all new housing and making considerable in-roads into the commercial sector. Timber frame systems have proved to meet housebuilder’s and developer’s needs for speed of erection, design flexibility and buildability. Timber frame also has the credentials to meet increasingly tighter Building Regulations and demands to adopt environmentally sound, sustainable building practices, which have been spurred on by the Achieving Construction Innovation and Excellence recommendations.

 

As a result, in Scotland virtually all major housebuilders use timber frame, which is helping to secure its status as a mainstream method of construction and consistently increase its market share year-on-year.

 

However, as the popularity of timber frame grows, it is important that high quality standards and workmanship in the design, manufacture and erection of timber frame systems continue to develop with it.

 

The UK Timber Frame Association (UKTFA) considers this issue vital to the continued success of the timber frame industry and has adopted a number of initiatives to help raise and maintain quality standards. Bryan Woodley, Chief Executive of the UKTFA, explains: “The timber frame industry is rapidly expanding as an increasing number of construction companies move away from masonry construction to timber frame. As capacity grows by way of new timber frame companies and personnel entering the market, it is crucial that training and education programmes exist to ensure industry wide standards are upheld.”

 

As the industry body, the UKTFA is dedicated to rising to the challenge of training and educating the sector to safeguard its future. The UKTFA’s Health & Safety and Education & Training Committee was formed specifically with this task in mind.

 

The committee has been responsible for a number of successful training initiatives since its formation in 2002 and has a number of large-scale projects currently in development, which are due for launch later this year. The most recent initiative to be introduced by the committee is a suite of training packages for ‘sales’, ‘technical’ and ‘site’ personnel, launched in February. These training packages offer the most comprehensive source of information for the timber frame and wider construction industry that has ever been available, compiled by individuals who are experts in their field.

 

Each package is presented in a simple to use format and contains relevant and straightforward information that can be easily and effectively applied in working practice, helping companies and their staff use timber frame to its full capabilities.

 

The ‘sales’ training package aims to ensure that experienced sales staff dealing with either the builder/developer or the customer/homeowner, can effectively communicate the benefits of timber frame that are particularly relevant to either group. This package provides sales staff with the knowledge to discuss issues such as flexibility of design, fast build times, reduced overall costs, precision quality, sustainability and environmental credentials.

 

The ‘technical’ training package looks at the key aspects of design and detailing, and covers the factors that affect the quality of a finished timber frame building, including fire and acoustic design, differential movement and accuracy on-site.

 

The package for ‘site’ based staff provides vital information on the critical areas that affect the long-term performance of a completed timber frame structure. This package puts a strong focus on the importance of a high standard of workmanship and attention to detail in areas such as foundations, delivery and storage, scaffolding, health and safety, frame erection and builder work.

 

Bryan Woodley continues: “It is important that the industry has access to accurate information regarding key aspects in the design, erection and sale of timber frame buildings and, as the industry body, it is the responsibility of the UKTFA to deliver this vital resource. The aim of these training packages is to demonstrate the ease in which companies can make the transition to timber frame, as well as to ensure technical, on-site and sales personnel working with timber frame gain the underpinning knowledge to safeguard standards across the industry.

 

“Continuous training and development is vital in all areas of construction. The UKTFA wholeheartedly embraces this ethos and constantly strives to produce training packages to support timber frame manufactures and improve standards. The UKTFA is committed to broadening the use of timber frame and firmly believes that continual, high quality training is essential to achieving this and will serve to have a very positive impact not just on the timber frame industry, but the construction industry as a whole.”

 

The training packages are available on CD from the UKTFA. To request a copy telephone the UKTFA on 01259 272140.

 

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17^th March 2004

Timber frame is fast developing its status as a mainstream method of construction. As a growing number of housebuilders and developers have moved away from masonry construction methods, opting instead for the design flexibility and buildability of timber frame, this increasingly popular building method has enjoyed a consistent increase in market share year-on-year for the last five years.

 

Timber frame accounts for 15.2% of all new build houses and 30% of all new social housing in England and Wales, and over 60% of new build houses in Scotland. These figures represent a valid indication of timber frame’s growing popularity, but what has led to this significant shift in the construction industry’s approach to building?

 

In recent years the Government has been eager to see the construction sector move forward and become a more productive industry. Initiatives such as Rethinking Construction and Movement for Innovation have stimulated concerns over energy efficiency, sustainability, affordability and the environmental impact of construction, issues which now play a key role in the industry.

 

Reflecting these Government concerns, Building Regulations have become far more stringent in an attempt to raise standards right across the construction sector. As a result, an increasing number of housebuilders and developers are having to demand more than ever before from a building product and are finding that masonry construction techniques are just not making the grade.

 

 

Bryan Woodley, Chief Executive of the UK Timber Frame Association (UKTFA), explained: “Helpful pressure from the Government to use sustainable, environmentally sound building products, combined with the tightening Buildings Regulations have had a very positive impact on the popularity of timber frame. Timber frame systems not only meet Government demands and Building Regulations requirements, they also outperform many other building products in areas such as thermal and acoustic performance.”

The Government now stipulates that all partners in the building industry must contribute to reducing overall CO2 emissions. This has led to planning and fiscal policy favouring ‘green’ development and ever tightening thermal requirements, covered in Building Regulations Part L, which aims to improve the energy efficiency of buildings.

 

Bryan Woodley continues: “Part L currently states that the U-value for external walls must be no greater than 0.35W/m2K in England and Wales, and 0.30W/m2K in Scotland and further reductions are anticipated in the next few years. As timber is a naturally insulating material, timber frame systems can more easily meet these requirements than masonry alternatives. For example, timber frame technology has developed to a stage where properties can be designed that do not need space heating systems at all – reducing overall CO2 emissions and heating bills.”

 

Acoustic performance is one of the latest issues to be addressed by Building Regulations, with the introduction of the latest edition of Part E for England and Wales.

 

On this issue Bryan Woodley comments: “These developments are very encouraging for the timber frame industry. Timber frame can achieve Part E requirements for party walls far more effectively than other methods of construction, due to the combination of acoustic de-coupling and sound deadening mass inherent in the construction of the frame itself.”

 

Sustainable construction and sustainable communities are also currently issues of particular concern for the Government. This has most recently been highlighted by the formation of the Sustainable Buildings Task Group, set up to identify cost effective methods to improve the quality and environmental performance of buildings.

 

Bryan Woodley, who represents the UKTFA on the Task Group, says: “The issue of sustainability is growing and housebuilders and developers are under increasing pressure to use sustainable building products. Timber frame has a genuinely unique combination of environmental credentials matched by no other building product; it is sustainable, renewable, natural, recyclable and has low embodied energy.  Importantly, the UKTFA also positively supports sustainable construction and encourages its Members to follow a Code of Practice that includes the active promotion of the use of timber products sourced from well-managed sustainable sources.”

 

European softwood plantations are currently in surplus production with standing stocks of timber increasing annually by 252 million cubic metres – almost 30 times the UK annual consumption of wood*. In order to police timber trading, an internationally recognised system of third party timber certification and labelling is currently emerging that allows timber companies to provide assurances that their timber has originated from sustainable managed sources, a move supported by the UKTFA.

 

As well as these environmental and energy efficiency credentials demanded by Government, timber frame has also demonstrated that it offers numerous practical benefits for housebuilders and developers that fundamentally improve the construction process and greatly reduce overall project costs. For example, timber frame offers 30% shorter build times than masonry construction, which leads to a much faster return on investment. The flexibility of timber frame means design capabilities are greatly increased and precision factory engineering offers predictable high quality with fewer defects. Factory manufacture also reduces on-site waste, loss by theft and makes for a tidier, and importantly, safer, site.

 

The lighter overall weight of a timber frame building requires reduced and less expensive foundations and allows more brownfield sites to be redeveloped. Also, using timber frame means removing brickwork from the critical path, allowing subsequent trades to begin work sooner, reducing drying out time for wet trades, and therefore the risk of shrinkage cracks and expensive call backs.

 

In light of these benefits, it is easy to see why over 70% of the population of the developed world live in timber frame housing and why timber frame accounts for 90% of low-rise buildings in USA and Canada. The UK is beginning to follow suit, with a growing number of builders and developers, including eight out of the top ten housebuilders, adopting timber frame systems for new build projects across the UK.

 

Bryan Woodley concludes: “In recent years timber frame has demonstrated that it has the design flexibility, speed of build and environmental and energy efficiency credentials to satisfy Government pressures, Building Regulations and meet the needs of builders, as well as consumers. As demand is increasing, a growing number of timber frame manufacturers are beginning to enter the market in order to provide greater capacity and offer new ideas and technology, which can only serve to have a positive effect on the industry and make for a brighter future for UK construction.“

 

 

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15^th March 2004

The Scottish construction industry is preparing itself for an agenda of improvement and advancement, courtesy of the Achieving Construction Innovation and Excellence in Scotland recommendations, compiled by the Modernising Construction Strategic Group. The first step has been the creation of the Construction Innovation and Excellence Forum, but on the advent of this new drive to improve quality and standards, how is the industry utilising its most viable building product?

 

The use of timber frame in Scotland is at an all time high, now representing over 60% of all new housing – a significant portion of the industry.

 

For some time, timber frame systems have met housebuilder’s needs for speed of erection, design flexibility and buildability, as well as meeting increasingly tighter Building Regulations and demands to adopt environmentally sound, sustainable building practices. As a result, in Scotland virtually all housebuilders use timber frame, which is helping to secure its status as a mainstream method of construction and consistently increase its market share year-on-year.

 

As well as timber frame experiencing considerable success in the housebuilding market, in commercial construction it is also seeing increased growth. Timber frame offers commercial developers all the benefits that housebuilders enjoy and, like housebuilders, it enables them to fundamentally improve the construction process and greatly reduce overall costs on medium rise projects, such as offices, schools, healthcare facilities and hotels.

 

For example, timber frame offers 30% shorter build times than masonry construction, which leads to a much faster return on investment. The flexibility of timber frame means design capabilities are greatly increased and it can accommodate a wide range of external finishes and claddings. To further reduce build times, the design of a timber frame structure allows for fast and simple installation of services.

 

Fully integrated computer design, engineering and manufacturing systems can produce the timber frame structure of a complete building quickly and accurately, increasing the predictability and pace of build programmes. Each panel is prepared for immediate erection when it leaves the factory, requiring no further adjustment once on-site, minimising handling and the risk of damage on site. Constructing using this method reduces on-site waste, loss by theft and makes for a tidier, and importantly, safer, site.

 

The lighter overall weight of a timber frame structure requires less expensive foundations and also enables larger buildings to be constructed on sites with poor ground conditions, allowing more brownfield sites to be redeveloped.

 

Using timber frame means removing brickwork from the critical path, allowing subsequent trades to begin work sooner, reducing drying out time for wet trades, and therefore the risk of shrinkage cracks and expensive call backs.

 

However, while these benefits are unrivalled by other building methods, architects and builders in today’s construction industry need more than construction performance alone. Sustainable construction and sustainable communities are issues of concern for the Government and timber frame’s environmental and sustainability credentials help builders meet these demands.

 

Bryan Woodley, Chief Executive of the UK Timber Frame Association (UKTFA), comments: “The issue of sustainability is growing and architects and builders are under increasing pressure to use sustainable building products. Timber frame has a genuinely unique combination of environmental credentials matched by no other building product; it is sustainable, renewable, natural, recyclable and has a low embodied energy.  Importantly, the UKTFA also positively supports sustainable construction and encourages its Members to follow an Environmental Code of Practice that includes the active promotion of the use of timber derived from well-managed sustainable sources.”

 

European softwood plantations are currently in surplus production with standing stocks of timber increasing annually by 252 million m3 – almost 30 times the UK annual consumption of wood*. In order to police timber trading, an internationally recognised system of third party timber certification and labelling is currently emerging that allows timber companies to provide assurances that their timber has originated from sustainable managed sources, a move supported by the UKTFA.

 

As planning and fiscal policy has begun to strongly favour ‘green’ development, architects and builders in today’s construction industry are under increased pressure to adopt more environmentally friendly practices.

 

The reduction of overall CO2 emissions is considered of great importance. Building Regulations Part J attempts to ensure the harmful effects of CO2 are minimised by reducing the need to heat buildings. As regulations tighten, architects and builders need to choose a building product that is intrinsically insulating to construct energy efficient buildings.

 

Bryan Woodley explains: “Part J currently states that the U-value for external walls must be no greater than 0.30W/m2K in Scotland, however further reductions are anticipated in the next few years. Timber is a naturally insulating material and therefore timber frame systems can more easily meet Building Regulations requirements. For example, timber frame technology has developed to a stage where properties can be designed that do not need space heating systems at all – reducing overall CO2 emissions and heating bills.”

 

Even before timber frame reaches the site it has already significantly reduced CO2 emissions. The ‘embodied energy’ of a building product, or the amount of energy required to convert the product from raw material to useable building component, varies dramatically between the different building methods. The amount of energy required to convert wood into timber frame takes far less energy and generates far fewer greenhouse gases than any other mainstream alternatives. For example, concrete uses five times more energy to convert than timber frame and steel uses six times more.

 

Acoustic performance is one of the latest issues to be addressed by Building Regulations. Bryan Woodley, comments: “These developments are very encouraging for the timber frame industry. Timber frame can achieve Building regulations requirements for party walls far more effectively than other methods of construction, due to the combination of acoustic de-coupling and sound deadening mass inherent in the construction of the frame itself.”

 

In summary, timber frame offers the Scottish building industry a commercially viable building product that provides increased productivity, build quality, flexibility and unlocks brownfield sites that would not be suitable for masonry construction. The environmental benefits of timber frame; thermal properties, acoustic properties, energy efficiency and sustainability, importantly allow architects and builders to meet demands on the industry to become more environmentally conscious, as well as construct buildings under the increasingly stringent Building Regulations.

 

With these benefits in mind it is easy to see why virtually all housebuilders in Scotland choose timber frame and why timber frame is increasingly being adopted in more commercial development projects. In order for the construction industry to continue to move forward and raise standards across the board, more architects and builders need to be aware of the benefits of timber frame and recognise that it can go beyond domestic housing.

 

 

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11^th March 2004

There is increasing pressure from the Government on housebuilders and developers to meet the growing housing demand using energy efficient, sustainable, environmentally friendly and affordable methods. In response, the construction industry is notably moving away from masonry construction methods and choosing timber frame, which increases housebuilders’ productivity and building performance, and helps them meet Government pressures.

 

As a result, timber frame is fast developing its status as a mainstream method of construction. David Hart, Chairman of the UK Timber Frame Association’s PR committee, looks at the pressures faced by housebuilders and how timber frame meets the demands of the Government and the industry.

In recent years the Government has been eager to see the construction sector move forward and become a more productive industry. Initiatives such as Rethinking Construction and Movement for Innovation have stimulated concerns over energy efficiency, sustainability, affordability and the environmental impact of construction. These issues now play a key role in the industry and, combined with increasingly stringent Building Regulations, construction professionals have to demand more than ever before from a building product.

 

An increasing number of housebuilders are recognising that masonry construction is just not meeting the standards the Government now requires for new build residential properties. However, timber frame is demonstrating that it not only increases productivity and performance, but also meets Government demands and Building Regulations.

 

One area where this is apparent is thermal efficiency. The Government now stipulates that all partners in the building industry must contribute to reducing overall CO2 emissions. This has led to planning and fiscal policy favouring ‘green’ development and ever tightening thermal requirements, covered in Building Regulations Part L, which aim to improve energy efficiency.

 

Part L currently states that the U-value for external walls must be no greater than 0.35W/m2K in England and Wales, and 0.30W/m2K in Scotland, however further reductions are anticipated in the next few years. As timber is a naturally insulating material, timber frame systems can more easily meet these requirements than masonry alternatives. For example, timber frame technology has developed to a stage where properties can be designed that do not need space heating systems at all – reducing overall CO2 emissions and heating bills.

 

Acoustic performance is one of the latest issues to be addressed by Building Regulations, with the introduction of the latest edition of Part E for England and Wales. These developments are very encouraging for the timber frame industry. Timber frame can achieve Part E requirements for party walls far more effectively than other methods of construction, due to the combination of acoustic de-coupling and sound deadening mass inherent in the construction of the frame itself.

 

Sustainable construction and sustainable communities are also currently issues of particular concern for the Government. This has most recently been highlighted by the formation of the Sustainable Buildings Task Group, set up to identify cost effective methods to improve the quality and environmental performance of buildings, adding to the pressures faced by housebuilders.

 

Timber frame can help housebuilders meet these demands with its genuinely unique combination of environmental credentials matched by no other building product; it is sustainable, renewable, natural, recyclable and has a low embodied energy.  Importantly, the UK Timber Frame Association (UKTFA) also positively supports sustainable construction and encourages its Members to follow an Environmental Code of Practice that includes the active promotion of the use of timber derived from well-managed sustainable sources.

 

European softwood plantations are currently in surplus production with standing stocks of timber increasing annually by 252 million m3 – almost 30 times the UK annual consumption of wood*. In order to police timber trading, an internationally recognised system of third party timber certification and labelling is currently emerging that allows timber companies to provide assurances that their timber has originated from sustainable managed sources, a move supported by the UKTFA.

 

 

As well as these environmental and energy efficiency credentials demanded by Government, timber frame has also demonstrated that it has the design flexibility and buildability to meet the needs of a modern construction industry. In light of this, it is easy to see why a growing number of housebuilders, including eight out of the top ten, have adopted timber frame systems for new build projects across the UK.

 

As a result, timber frame is fast developing its status as a mainstream method of construction and has enjoyed a consistent increase in market share year-on-year. Timber frame now accounts for 15.2% of all new build houses and 30% of all new social housing in England and Wales, and over 60% of new build houses in Scotland, a valid indication of its growing popularity.

 

It is vital for the construction sector to continue its development into a truly productive industry and raise standards across the board. With this in mind, more housebuilders need to be aware of timber frame’s practical design and construction benefits and its ability to meet Government demands for environmentally sound, sustainable building practices.

 

 

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27^th February 2004

The Scottish construction industry is preparing itself for an agenda of improvement and advancement, courtesy of the Achieving Construction Innovation and Excellence in Scotland recommendations, compiled by the Modernising Construction Strategic Group. The first step has been the creation of the Construction Innovation and Excellence Forum, but on the advent of this new drive to improve quality and standards, how is the industry utilising its most viable building product? Bryan Woodley, Chief Executive of the UK Timber Frame Association (UKTFA), looks at the popularity of timber frame and where its future lies in Scotland.

 

The use of timber frame in Scotland is at an all time high, now representing over 60% of all new housing – a significant portion of the Scottish construction industry.

 

The housebuilding market is where timber frame has really proved its worth. For some time, timber frame systems have met builder’s needs for speed of erection, design flexibility and buildability, as well as meeting increasingly tighter Building Regulations and demands to adopt environmentally sound, sustainable building practices. As a result, eight out of the top 10 housebuilders use timber frame, which is helping to secure its status as a mainstream method of construction and consistently increase its market share year-on-year.

 

As well as timber frame experiencing considerable success in the housebuilding market, in commercial construction it is also seeing increased growth. Timber frame offers commercial developers all the benefits that housebuilders enjoy and, like housebuillders, it enables them to fundamentally improve the construction process and greatly reduce overall costs on medium rise projects, such as offices, schools, healthcare facilities and hotels.

 

For example, timber frame offers 30% shorter build times than masonry construction, which leads to a much faster return on investment. The flexibility of timber frame means design capabilities are greatly increased and precision factory engineering offers predictable high quality with fewer defects. Factory manufacture also reduces on-site waste, loss by theft and makes for a tidier, and importantly, safer, site.

 

The lighter overall weight of a timber frame structure requires less expensive foundations and allows more brownfield sites to be redeveloped. Also, using timber frame means removing brickwork from the critical path, allowing subsequent trades to begin work sooner, reducing drying out time for wet trades, and therefore the risk of shrinkage cracks and expensive call backs.

However, while these benefits are unrivalled by other building methods, builders in today’s construction industry need more than construction performance alone, they need a building product that will help them meet demands to adopt environmentally sound, sustainable building practices, as well meet increasingly tighter Building Regulations.

 

Building Regulations for thermal and acoustic performance are more easily met using timber frame systems than masonry alternatives. For example, timber is a naturally insulating material with thermal performance that is unmatched by any other building product, enabling timber frame systems to easily achieve the required U-value of 0.30W/m2K for external walls. Timber frame can also meet the acoustic Building Regulations requirements for party walls far more effectively than other methods of construction, due to the combination acoustic de-coupling and sound deadening mass inherent in the construction of the frame itself.

 

As well as thermal and acoustic performance, sustainable construction and sustainable communities are issues of concern and builders are under increasing pressure to use sustainable building products. Timber frame has a genuinely unique combination of environmental credentials matched by no other building product; it is sustainable, renewable, natural, recyclable and has a low embodied energy.  Importantly, the UKTFA also positively supports sustainable construction and encourages its Members to follow an Environmental Code of Practice that includes the active promotion of the use of timber products sourced from well-managed sustainable sources.

 

With these benefits in mind it is easy to see why eight out of the top 10 housebuilders choose timber frame and why timber frame is increasingly being adopted in more commercial development projects. In order for the construction industry to continue to move forward and raise standards across the board, more builders need to be aware of the benefits of timber frame and recognise that it can go beyond domestic housing.

 

 

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30^th January 2004

 

Energy efficiency, sustainability, affordability and the environmental impact of construction are now key issues for the housebuilder, a move stimulated by initiatives such as Rethinking Construction and Movement for Innovation.

 

It is widely recognised that masonry construction methods for housing are generally not performing well enough for the industry or for the consumer. As a result, an increasing number of housebuilders are moving away from masonry construction and choosing timber frame, but what is the major pulling power of timber frame, and how does it meet the demands of the industry, the Government and the consumer?

 

 

Timber frame offers numerous practical benefits for housebuilders that fundamentally improve the construction process and greatly reduce overall project costs. For example, timber frame offers 30% shorter build times than masonry construction, which leads to a much faster return on investment. The flexibility of timber frame means design capabilities are greatly increased and precision factory engineering offers predictable high quality with fewer defects. Factory manufacture also reduces on-site waste, loss by theft and makes for a tidier, and importantly, safer, site.

 

The lighter overall weight of a timber frame house requires less expensive foundations and allows more brownfield sites to be redeveloped. Also, using timber frame means removing brickwork from the critical path, allowing subsequent trades to begin work sooner, reducing drying out time for wet trades, and therefore the risk of shrinkage cracks and expensive call backs.

 

However, while these benefits are unrivalled by other building methods, housebuilders working in today’s construction industry need more than construction performance alone, they need a building product that will help them meet Government demands to adopt environmentally sound, sustainable building practices as well.

 

 

The Government now stipulates that all partners in the building industry must contribute to reducing overall CO2 emissions. This has led to planning and fiscal policy favouring ‘green’ development and ever tightening thermal requirements, covered in Building Regulations Part L.

 

Bryan Woodley, Chief Executive of the UK Timber Frame Association (UKTFA), explains: “Part L currently states that the U-value for external walls must be no greater than 0.35W/m2K in England and Wales, and 0.30W/m2K in Scotland, however further reductions are anticipated in the next few years. Timber is a naturally insulating material and therefore timber frame systems can more easily meet Building Regulations requirements. For example, timber frame technology has developed to a stage where properties can be designed that do not need space heating systems at all – reducing overall CO2 emissions and heating bills.”

 

Acoustic performance is one of the latest issues to be addressed by Building Regulations, with the introduction of the latest edition of Part E for England and Wales.

 

Bryan Woodley, comments: “These developments are very encouraging for the timber frame industry. Timber frame can achieve Part E requirements for party walls far more effectively than other methods of construction, due to the combination acoustic de-coupling and sound deadening mass inherent in the construction of the frame itself.”

 

As well as thermal and acoustic performance, sustainability of building materials and completed buildings are issues of concern to the Government. Most recently this has been highlighted by the formation of the Sustainable Buildings Task Group, set up to identify cost effective methods to improve the quality and environmental performance of buildings.

 

Bryan Woodley, who also represents the UKTFA on the Task Group, comments: “The issue of sustainability is growing and housebuilders are under increasing pressure to use sustainable building products. Timber frame has a genuinely unique combination of environmental credentials matched by no other building product; it is sustainable, renewable, natural, recyclable and has a low embodied energy.  Importantly, the UKTFA also positively supports sustainable construction and encourages its Members to follow a Code of Practice that includes the active promotion of the use of timber products sourced from well-managed sustainable sources.”

 

As they have become more familiar with the benefits of timber frame, such as sustainability, more and more housebuilders, including eight out of the top ten, have adopted timber frame systems for new build projects across the UK, a valid indication of its growing popularity.

 

Bryan Woodley, concludes: “Timber frame is fast developing its status as a mainstream method of construction and has enjoyed a consistent increase in market share year-on-year, now accounting for 15.2% of all new build houses and 30% of all new social housing in England and Wales, and around 55% of new build houses in Scotland.

 

“Broadly this is due to an increasing number of housebuilders recognising the construction benefits of timber frame. Pressure from the Government on the industry to use sustainable, environmentally sound building products has also had a positive impact on the popularity of timber frame. The tightening Building Regulations have had a similar effect as timber frame not only meets all regulations, but outperforms many other building products in areas such as thermal and acoustic performance.

 

“An increasing number of timber frame manufacturers are beginning to enter the market in order to meet growing capacity and offer new ideas and technology. Timber frame has demonstrated that it has the design flexibility, speed of build and environmental and energy efficiency credentials to satisfy Government pressures, as well as the demands of a modern construction industry. “

 

 

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UKTFA Chief Executive Bryan Woodley is to join the newly formed Sustainable Buildings Task Group, a joint initiative launched on Friday 21 November 2003 by the Deputy Prime Minister, John Prescott, Trade and Industry Secretary Patricia Hewitt and Environment Secretary Margaret Beckett.

 

The Task Group will be co-chaired by Sir John Harman, Chairman of the Environment Agency and Victor Benjamin, Deputy Chairman of English Partnerships. Mr Woodley will represent the interests of Timber and other construction materials.  This is one of four key interest areas identified for the
Group’s attention: the other three are Water, Energy and Waste Reduction.

 

The aim of the Task Group is to examine these four areas and to make recommendations to improve the quality of buildings in terms of environmental performance, in support of sustainable development in new communities and in refurbishment and renewal.

 

UKTFA Chairman Mr Steve Hutchinson said

 

“ I am delighted that this important new Group has recognized the key role of timber in sustainable construction and has invited UKTFA Chief Executive Bryan Woodley to represent the interests of timber and other construction materials.”

 

Bryan Woodley added

 

“ As the world’s only truly renewable standard construction material, timber has a vital role to play in delivering homes fit for the 21st century.”

 

Photography attached:

 

Mr Steve Hutchinson

Mr Bryan Woodley

 

Press information from Anne McDonald, AM Communications

Tel:0131 441 2619 email info@amcomms.co.uk

 

For further information on timber frame please visit UKTFA’s website at www.timber-frame.org. or contact UKTFA on 01259 272140

E-mail : office@timber-frame.org

 

Available literature includes:

 

Strategic Statement on Environmental Performance

A FREE full colour booklet on timber frame homes “Timber Frame - the Choice is Yours.”  Technical Guidance Notes on Part L/J/F (Conservation of Fuel and Energy)

Literature specific to architects, builders and developers and social housing providers.

 

 

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The UKTFA’s (UK Timber Frame Association) latest industry survey reveals that over 2002, growth in timber frame has out-performed growth in all other house building methods. The survey also reveals that “hotspots” for timber frame growth include Greater London and the South East.

 

The statistics reveal a 7.8% increase in industry turnover to nearly £330 million; an 8.5% increase in the number of units manufactured to 31,800; and a UK market share for new Timber Frame houses of 15.2%.

 

This represents a 9.4% growth in volume for Timber Frame housing. Given that non-Timber Frame housing achieved a 4.5% volume growth in the same period, this means that timber frame outperformed the collective growth of all other forms of house building in the UK in 2002.

 

Over the past 5 years, Timber Frame’s market share has virtually doubled, going from 8% in 1998 to 15.2% in 2002. 

 

On a country by country basis, 10% of all new housing in England was Timber Frame; in Wales 7% of all new housing was Timber Frame; and in Scotland, traditionally the UK area showing highest Timber Frame penetration, 60% of all new housing was Timber Frame. Timber Frame construction in Northern Ireland more than doubled to reach 4.6%.

 

The total number of all housing starts in England is around 6 times greater than that in Scotland, so despite the predominance of timber frame in Scotland, for a second year running more Timber Frame houses were actually built in England than in Scotland. English Timber Frame starts reached 14,400 and Scottish Timber Frame starts reached 14,000.  “Hot spots” for Timber Frame construction in England were Greater London and the South East, which together with Scotland now account for 70% of UK Timber Frame housing.

 

Generally speaking fewer detached houses were built in the UK in 2002, but semi-detached, terraced and flatted developments moved ahead.  Against this background, Timber Frame increased its market share of detached housing by 4% to achieve 17.4% in 2002.

 

Within this pattern of overall growth, the figures for social housing are particularly significant. In 2002 over 30% of social housing was built in Timber Frame. 

 

UKTFA Chief Executive Bryan Woodley comments:

 

“ The performance of Timber Frame housing in 2002 is very encouraging. Our independent survey shows that Timber Frame is winning acceptance on an ever-widening basis – among building professionals and consumers in the public and private sectors. The message is clearly getting through that modern Timber Frame builds warm, quiet, cost-efficient and environmentally sound homes. I look forward with confidence to future growth.”

 

Press information from Anne McDonald AM Communications

Tel:0131 441 2619 email info@amcomms.co.uk

 

Illustrations: (available from AM Communications)

 

UK Timber Frame Industry Vital Statistics 2002

Chart 1. UK Timber Frame Market Share

Chart 6. % Growth of New Housing

Five Year Trend of UK Market Share

Photography : A Modern Timber Frame House

                        Bryan Woodley, Chief Executive, UKTFA

 

 

For further information on timber frame please visit UKTFA’s website at www.timber-frame.org. or contact UKTFA on 01259 272140

email office@timber-frame.org

 

Available literature includes a FREE full colour booklet on timber frame homes “Timber Frame - the Choice is Yours.”  Technical Guidance Notes on Part L/J/F (Conservation of Fuel and Energy) and literature specific to architects, builders and developers and social housing providers is also available.

 

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4 September 2003

 

The UK Timber Frame Association has updated its website, www.timber-frame.org  so that all the key information on Timber Frame is just three clicks away. With specialist areas devoted to Self-Build and Builders & Developers, the site also offers a Help Desk facility as well as general information on topics such as the environment, the benefits of timber frame construction and latest timber frame news.

 

Recently the UKTFA office has found itself inundated with requests from members of the public about which company can provide them with the timber frame home or development of their dreams. UKTFA has therefore created a unique web search facility where, by specifying the project location, size of development, building type and services required, the website automatically searches for the relevant Timber Frame Manufacturers, providing contact details, e-mail and website hyperlinks and *Q-Mark status. This works for single dream homes for self-builders to larger developments for house buyers.

 

(*Q-Mark is the Association’s independently monitored quality scheme which all manufacturers are required to achieve.)

 

UKTFA Chief Executive, Bryan Woodley notes “ Timber Frame is the fastest growing mainstream method of construction in the UK today and therefore it is important that good up-to-date information on Timber Frame is readily available to the broadest possible cross-section of the community. As this construction method already has the answers to so many peoples’ requirements, it is vital that house buyers and builders have ready access to these answers.”

 

The Home page gives immediate access to the latest headlines, a main feature (currently highlighting the UKTFA’s new, user-friendly literature) and a broadly based article on Timber Frame and its benefits.

 

For Self-Builders, as well as “10 Top Tips”, there is an interactive facility to assist in finding a suitable plot of land from over 6000 choices nationwide. There is also practical assistance about self build and case studies of people who have successfully built their dream home.

 

The Help-Desk highlights Frequently Asked Questions; a check list to Timber Frame Erection offered as “Dos and Do Nots”; as well as key extracts from the full range of literature, which is available free of charge from the UKTFA  Head Office.

 

Bryan Woodley has commented “ Although more can always be done, I am pleased with this new website. We get up to 50,000 hits per month and have had enquiries from Fiji to Finland! Clearly we’re providing a service the public wants, as more and more people are finding out about the benefits of building in timber frame.”

 

 

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11 June 2003

 

 

As part of their commitment to promoting the benefits of timber frame construction, the UKTFA (United Kingdom Timber Frame Association) has produced an exciting, new series of informational literature, with the support of wood.for good.

 

The series consists of three separate brochures aimed, respectively, at architects, at the housing association and local authority sectors and at the building and contracting sectors.

 

UKTFA’s Chief Executive Bryan Woodley has commented:

 

“We felt it was important to recognise the different interests and needs of these key timber frame user groups. We know, for example, that for architects, issues such as the integration of design, manufacture and sustainability in construction are vital. For private sector housebuilders we know that issues of project predictability, quality and cost control are important. For social housing providers we are aware that special concerns include ensuring low maintenance and low running costs. Our new brochures address these - and a host of other - user specific issues in relation to timber frame construction.”

 

 

The architect’s brochure is entitled “ Homes fit for the 21^st Century”; the housing association and local authority brochure is entitled “ Building a future fit to live in”; and the brochure for the building and construction sectors is entitled “A better way to build better homes”.  All are fully–illustrated and highly informative.

 

UKTFA has also updated and reprinted two very popular existing publications, of special interest to self builders. These are the “Top Tips for Self Builders” and the “Timber Frame Erection Check List.”

 

Other available literature includes a brochure aimed at consumers “Timber Frame - the Choice is Yours” and “Technical Guidance Notes on Fuel and Power Conservation – Parts L/J/F”, available at a cost of £5 for non-members and £3 for members. Discounts are available on bulk orders.

 

 

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23 May 2003

 

 

 

Over 50 delegates attended the first AGM of the UK Timber Frame Association held on Thursday 15 May 2003 in the East Midlands.

 

In his opening remarks Chairman Steve Hutchinson particularly commended the “staggering amount of commitment from members ….and their hard work on the various UKTFA committees.”  He also commented on the “tremendous support” which the Association had received from wood.for good, thanking in particular wfg Chief Executive Charles Trevor.

 

In his report to the Association, Chief Executive Bryan Woodley reported that the UKTFA, which promotes the benefits of timber frame construction UK wide, was financially sound; indeed since its launch in January 2002 the Association had grown to have over 50  manufacturing and 90  supply chain members – representing over 80% of  UK timber frame manufacture.

 

 On average, a new member had joined the UKTFA every 11 days. Mr Woodley noted that the UKTFA genuinely “took forward timber frame as a mainstream method of construction throughout the UK to the benefit of the complete supply chain, the construction industry, the environment and society.”

 

UKTFA had also successfully established a high profile with other construction industry bodies and government departments.  In terms of public perception, over 41 million people had had the opportunity to read about the UKTFA in its exposure in trade and consumer publications over 2002.

 

Mr Woodley described 2002 as a “Year of New Beginnings”. Committees were established  with responsibility for Technical Matters; Education and Training; Engineered Wood Products; Membership; and PR and Marketing.

 

Key projects undertaken and now heading for completion included a Health and Safety Booklet; a Timber Frame Training CD; and a Pocket Guide to Timber Frame for Site Staff. Literature had been produced, specifically Technical Guidance on Part L/J/F; and a free Consumer Booklet “Timber Frame – The Choice is Yours”.

 

Very importantly, a two-level, independently assessed Quality Scheme, Q-mark and Q-mark Plus, had been launched and a Technical Helpline established.

 

Marking the end of this period of hard work and achievement, Mr Woodley took the opportunity at the AGM to announce several changes in office bearers.

 

New members of the Main Board included Mr Doug Cullen of Cullen Building Products; Mr Stewart Dalgarno of Stewart Milne Timber Systems; Mr David Hart of Prestoplan Purpose Built; Mr Stephen Henry of Crown Timber; and Mr Phil Key of Pace Timber Systems. 

 

Mr Barrie Lane stepped down from the main Board and as Chairman of the Education and Training Committee and will be succeeded by Mr Phil Key. Mr Stewart Dalgarno will succeed to the Chairmanship of the Technical Committee, in place of Mr Hugh MacKay. Mr Charles Grant will step down as Chairman of the PR and Marketing Committee at the end of June and will be succeeded by Mr David Hart.

 

Looking towards the future, Mr Woodley announced that UKTFA were expecting to publish Technical Guidance on Part E by early summer; that work was underway on the implications of Eurocode 5 and ce marking for the industry; that UKTFA was formulating an Environmental Policy; that Technical Datasheets were to be created; and that the latest specialist grouping to be formed within UKTFA was the Insulation Suppliers Forum.

 

Photography is available from, AM Communications, of UKTFA Chairman Steve Hutchinson and Chief Executive Bryan Woodley.

 

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17 April 2003

 

 

 

Do you believe that a wall or a floor has to be thick or solid to insulate you from sound?  If you do then you are wrong!

 

“This is a common mistake” says Bryan Woodley, Chief Executive of the UK Timber Frame Association, the organisation which promotes the benefits of living in a timber frame home.

 

“ Some people think that the walls and floors of their house need to be thick and solid to keep out sound. That’s called ‘mass’. Research shows that ‘isolation’– the method where high-tech housing components are constructed so that sound- bearing parts don’t come into contact with one another –or are ‘isolated’- can be more effective than mass. This is how timber frame houses are constructed.”

 

Concerns about sound have been brought to the fore because the Building Regulations relating to sound insulation (Part E) are about to change in England and Wales. With the increase in noise pollution in all our lives – just think of all those hoovers, televisions, stereos, and washing machines, to say nothing of traffic and aircraft noise- the Government is keen to cut down on noise nuisance within the home and also between homes.

 

 This is something the UK Timber Frame Association welcomes.

 

Bryan Woodley of the UKTFA believes that the Regulation changes will lead to even more homes being built in timber frame, because of how good these homes are at providing insulation against noise – particularly noisy neighbours.

 

 His views are backed by independent scientific research undertaken by the BRE (Building Research Establishment) who state:

 

“ If all dwellings had sound insulation as good as that measured in party walls of timber frame dwellings, the problems of noise from neighbours would be greatly reduced.”

Bryan says  “ Research shows that timber frame party walls are the best performing in the industry – for curr