Market for timber frame housing rises

Thanks to the increasing demand for low carbon homes, the market for timber frame housing grew three times faster than any other method of construction in 2006, according to the UKTFA's first Interim Market Report for members.

The market share for timber frame construction has more than doubled since 1999 and now stands at 20.5% of all new housing in 2006, according to the first Interim Market Report published for members of the UK Timber Frame Association (UKTFA).

Against overall growth in all housing starts of about 3.5% last year, timber frame is estimated to have increased by 7.5% - three times faster than masonry methods which are estimated to have grown by just 2.4%.

Bryan Woodley, Chief Executive of the UKTFA, says: “When you match our industry figures to the Government’s housing starts and official construction output data, it’s clear that timber frame has constantly outperformed the rest of the market in recent years.

“We expect timber frame housing to expand at about twice the rate of the average for the market, leading to further increases in market share in each of the years to 2009.

"I think we’ll see the highest growth in the social housing sector where timber frame is still expected to continue to outperform all other methods of construction.

"The recent huge surge in interest from the private housebuilders in low risk, cost effective ways of building zero carbon homes is also likely to enhance the timber frame industry’s prospects in coming years.”

UKTFA interim figures show that more than 51,700 timber frame housing and commercial units were built in 2006, realising a growth of 8.1% on 2005.

The value of the timber frame industry is also expected to have grown by 11% in 2006, rising to £542 million.

A full market report will be available in the autumn. This will include more detailed information on the performances by country and region, with details on the trend of private and social housing and developments by type of dwelling.