Timber frame construction: sustainable housing solution or risky investment?

It's probably been obvious to many that there is a housing crisis in the United Kingdom, a problem that successive governments have promised to tackle but have failed to address despite best endeavours.

Part of the problem comes with the planning and the siting of such grandiose plans, but the considerable logistical problem of finding the number of necessary construction workers and the cheapest but still durable construction materials has (ironically) led plans to hit a brick wall.

The problem is exacerbated, too, by the government's pledge to maintain a course for “net zero” within the next decade, which could be at odds with the ambitious plans to keep building without destroying habitats and ecosystems, and the drive the use as many environmentally-friendly and sustainably-sourced materials as possible.

The government has stated that it wants to build 1.5m homes in the five-year course of the current Parliament, which means that innovative plans and direction are needed to achieve this stretching target.

To this end, Mary Creagh MP, the Under-Secretary for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), last month announced a Timber in construction roadmap 2025, which details how timber might be used for construction purposes and how it can be sustainably sourced to match the future demand for such houses. 

But, for a country that is used to homes being built from more solid materials, the question is raised regarding its suitability and how that might impact the demand for homes that have been built in this way - particularly if the buyer is wearing their climate change hat and are looking at other places in the world where fires have wreaked havoc in neighbourhoods where wooden construction is the norm.

Financial website This is Money has done an assessment of the how timber-frame homes can benefit buyers and the environment, balancing that with an analysis of the problems that such structures might bring to homeowners in the future.

According to DEFRA, a house which is constructed around a timber frame (rather than brick, concrete and steel) is one of the best ways in which to reduce associated carbon emissions from the build environment. DEFRA estimates construction is responsible for around a quarter of the country's greenhouse gas emissions, while also stating that timber products can store up to 400% more carbon than the concrete equivalent.

Bespoke housing also has benefits since the construction of timber frames can be carried out far quicker than the more traditional methods, with companies that can build much of the architect's design off-site before transporting it to the construction site and building the shell and the floors very quickly.

In addition, This Is Money also noted their expert, Michael Holmes, who said that the design process itself can be far more sustainable as an option, while the public-sector housing fits well with it, largely because it is not susceptible to market forces.

There are also significant advantages in the energy-saving field, which is a major consideration when looking at how the home is to be heated, and keeping the energy use kept to the minimum without impeding the enjoyment of the building's use.

Their expert also noted that the customisation, precision and reduced waste in the manufacturing process all help to make the viability of timber-frame constructions far more appealing to those wanting to buy such a home.

This Is Money notes that the principal concern is the cost of such a project. Because of the construction of the timber frame being done off-site and then brought in for a quick construction, the initial outlay is quite high in comparison to the more traditional methods.

There is also the question on the skilled labour availability to manage the potential demand for this to be a viable solution. With many construction companies preferring the delivery of a build in well-defined and familiar stages, trying to convert to a process that upends the way of delivering new homes may be troublesome.

Further, This Is Money notes that the durability of the timber in comparison to the more rigid materials might be a cause for concern, particularly when it comes to planning the ongoing maintenance schedule to protect the building and, specifically, the timber from which it is constructed. The degradation of the wooden materials over time, along with its continued structural integrity, also need to be considered.

There is the inevitable concern regarding safety, particularly when it comes to the prospect of fire, given that the construction is with more combustible materials than the more traditional methods.

Finally, because timber-frame constructions are not the de facto choice for building a home, This Is Money also notes that it might be more difficult to finance the purchase of such homes with a mortgage, especially from the more mainstream lenders.

When it comes to buying your next property, you'll want to ensure that it is structurally sound and is fit for habitation, whether it is built in the more traditional way with bricks and mortar, or from newer architectural ideas and different materials.

If you are looking for a detailed structural survey on the home you are planning on buying by an experienced and conscientious chartered surveyor, so that you know what you need to budget for remedial projects and maintenance, then look no further than Surveyor Local.

At Surveyor Local, we only work with chartered surveyors who are members of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, ensuring the survey you get is always professionally delivered.

They will work hard to identify all kinds of problems, including the impact of prior flooding on the structure of the property.

Call  to get your no-obligation survey quote started, or to discuss your concerns with the acquisition of your planned property.

Or you can get a quick quote, using Surveyor Local's easy-to-use quote generator. Simply input your name, postcode, email address, phone number and an approximate value of the property (usually the agreed price), and we'll give you an instant quote for the work (with an email copy). Content