Timber frame is booming despite house building slumping to a new low for the second year running.
The House Builders Federation, quoting government figures, says fewer new homes were built in 2001 than in any year since 1924 (excluding 1940-1946).
The year-end total is about 162,000 compared with 169,100 in 2000 – a fall of 5%.
Steve Hutchinson, chairman of the newly-formed UK Timber Frame Association (UKTFA), said: ‘While the confirmation of a slowdown in new build housing is disappointing, it is not unexpected.
‘The timber frame industry has, however, never been busier and UKTFA members across the country are reporting full order books.’
He said the latest National House-Building Council statistics, while not giving the complete UK picture, confirm that over the first three quarters of 2001 timber frame’s market share held firm.
