Member News
16th December 2010
Reflecting on 2010 and looking forward to 2011, the UKTFA demonstrates the environmental credentials of timber frame construction
2010 has been a difficult year for the UK construction sector, with both the private and public sector having to face up to the challenges of operating in depressed times. Nevertheless the government’s drive towards zero-carbon homes and the reduction of waste has provided the perfect springboard for one sector of the industry.
The UK timber frame industry has proven extremely resilient as the key benefits of this type of construction meet and far exceed the government’s sustainability agenda. Timber frame is without question the most sustainable form of construction; commercial forests absorb C02 from the atmosphere as the raw material grows and then during production, it uses the most meagre amount of energy, especially when compared to the massive energy consumption of concrete and steel alternatives. But perhaps the greatest benefit lies with the homeowner or resident.
Quality homes, built under exacting factory conditions, fit together perfectly on site; no gaps for expensively generated warm air to leak out. The thermal efficiency of timber frame is proven, providing a robust, high-performance building envelope to reduce the dependence on high-energy heating systems. The ‘fit and forget’ advantage of a warm, efficient timber frame structure is the preferred choice of many social and affordable housing providers, with no lifetime maintenance issues to consider.
Earlier in the year, the UK Timber Frame Association (UKTFA) launched its extremely successful FabricFirst campaign, highlighting the advantages of a well-constructed, thermally efficient building envelope. Indeed, it was quite reassuring for the UKTFA to hear Grant Shapps extol the virtues of a fabric-first approach to meeting higher levels of the Code for Sustainable Homes in a recent statement on its revision, as reported by building4change. http://www.building4change.com/page.jsp?id=560.
But timber frame isn’t just the preferred choice of social landlords, it is fast becoming the build method of choice in retail, schools and other public buildings, recognising that timber frame can help reduce heating bills. Retail giant Tesco has recently embarked on a programme of eco-store developments.
The rollout of at least 27 timber-frame stores across the Tesco supermarket chain is fantastic news for the timber frame industry, says UKTFA chairman Geoff Arnold:
"Tesco is well known as the progressive brand within the supermarket industry and this stance on timber frame construction demonstrates once again that Tesco leads the way on sustainable development. Let this be the start of more good news for the timber frame sector as we embark on 2011."
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