Timber frame increases market share

7 November 2016


Timber frame construction increased its share of the UK new housing sector to 27.6% in 2015, according to the latest figures from the Structural Timber Association (STA).

The latest Timber Trends report, published by the STA, also predicts that the sector has the potential to reach a 32.4% market share by 2018.

Growth predictions of a 27% market share by 2017 in the older 2014 Timber Trends report have thus been surpassed ahead of time.

2015 was officially the second best performing year for structural timber frame in the housing sector since records began in 2002.

“Following the release of The Farmer Review, which indicates the urgent need for the construction sector to utilise the benefits of pre-manufacture to modernise, in order to meet government housebuilding targets, the latest Timber Trends report clearly demonstrates that mind-sets are changing and evolving,” said Andrew Carpenter, STA chief executive.

“Exceeding the 2014 report’s predicted market share showcases just how suitable structural timber frame is to the challenges currently inhibiting the growth of the construction sector – the skills shortage, availability of materials and the need for high quality properties, fast.”

UK housing starts totalled more than 176,500 in 2015, with the structural timber frame market enjoying a 22.2% market share in England.

“These compelling statistics and the launch of the RIBA Plan of Work 2013: Designing for Manufacture and Assembly signal only the beginning for a consistent increase in pre-manufacture and use of structural timber frame,” said Mr Carpenter.