Timber frame construction is one of the fastest-growing methods of housebuilding and commercial property development in the UK.

This seems like an odd statement given that timber frame construction has been a traditional method of building for centuries, but 21st-century timber construction is a world away from the methods used in the past.

What’s driving the growth of timber frame construction?

Lowering carbon emissions and protecting the environment are the primary reasons why construction methods are changing.

Producing building materials such as masonry and steel are damaging to the environment so to achieve the government target of net zero by 2050, the industry has had to change.

Timber frame is now widely chosen as the material of choice for construction. As a renewable resource, timber has a low environmental impact and through modern methods of construction, timber frame is also helping to improve build times and reduce costs.

How does timber frame benefit the environment?

Sequestered carbon in trees is a gift of nature. Trees naturally capture and store carbon dioxide which helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Even when trees are harvested, the carbon stays trapped in the wood.

FACT: Every cubic metre of timber saves 0.8 tonnes of C0² so a typical home that we build saves around 4 tonnes of carbon dioxide.

Timber is also an organic, renewable resource. Target timber sources its timber from certified sustainable European forests that grow annually by around 3,500 square miles. Every tree harvested is replaced with two new saplings.

Timber frame construction improves energy efficiency

We all know that timber is naturally warm. This means it has unique insulating qualities that help to improve energy efficiency.

Prefabricated wall panels help to lower energy use by retaining heating and cooling, making them perfect for homes.

In fact, Target Timber’s closed panel timber frames achieve some of the lowest U-Values possible, down to 0.15 W/m²K, including the outer brickwork.

When combined with renewable heating technologies, timber frame homes are the most energy-efficient and eco-friendly.

Timber frame reduces building costs

Unlike traditional building methods, timber frame systems are fully prefabricated offsite. This controlled environment ensures minimum waste and speeds up construction time.

An entire house can be prefabricated in less than 12 weeks and fully constructed in days, saving labour costs, time, and money.

Timber frame construction is creating long-term job opportunities

The growth of timber frame construction is creating new job opportunities in timber processing, timber frame production, carpentry, joinery, quality, and project management.

The growth in offsite timber frame manufacturing is also creating job opportunities in communities across the UK which in turn injects money into local communities.

Timber frame construction is a sustainable, eco-friendly, and economically advantageous method of building modern homes and commercial properties.

Above all, sustainably grown trees, with their valuable ability to sequester and retain carbon, will enable us to build environments that are harmless to the planet. This ensures that future generations can live and work in harmony with nature.