The UK Timber Frame Association (UKTFA) is holding meetings with a number of major English housebuilders as the organisation aims to try to capture a larger share of the mass English housebuilding market.
In recent months the Association has been working closely with housebuilders, focusing on understanding their businesses better in order to properly meet their needs and to encourage timber uptake within the industry. Working in collaboration with housebuilders, such as Crest Nicholson, the UKTFA has been getting to know their customers properly, learning how they work and establishing what their key needs are.
Timber products are traditionally used more in Scotland than in England, and currently only make up around 10 per cent of English production. The UKTFA is hoping to turn the material into a standard product in England by working with the English housebuilders and increasing understanding of the benefits of timber frame construction.
The UKTFA is setting out an analysis of the English market covering the entire housebuilding process, from wastage on site to standardised components, and involving the whole supply chain. Given the improved energy efficiency of timber homes, the organisation is also looking into lobbying the UK Government to link energy performance of homes to mortgage rates. Bodies such as RICS have been calling for this move since recognising the need to improve the energy efficiency within the UK housing stock.
Lawrence Young, Chairman of the UKTFA explains:
“The importance of timber frame construction is increasing as sustainability moves higher up the agenda. Timber frame is one of the best ways to deliver quality, low carbon homes and we’re keen to work collaboratively with the house builders, and to support them through any building regulation changes we might encounter along the way.
“We believe that this is a matter of education – we’re learning about their businesses and understanding their issues to see if we can improve the ‘fit’ into their operations. This partnership approach means that we can not only help housebuilders build more efficiently, but we are able to respond in a much shorter lead time, giving timber frame a better chance of being specified.
“To meet increasing energy standards we must change the way we think, and change the way we build. By working together with house builders we are moving one step closer to changing the industry mindset and culture. We’re finding this approach to be very successful so far and the housebuilders have been extremely co-operative. We’re still at an early stage in the process, but we’re very enthused by the positive feedback we’re receiving.”
The UK Timber Frame Association (UKTFA) represents more than 85% of the timber frame industry including suppliers, manufacturers, erectors and designers, as well as associate members which include contractors, architects and housebuilders.