Timber frame construction grows 7.5%

The UK Timber Frame Association has said timber frame grew three times faster than any other construction method last year. The figures are contained in an interim report which said timber frame had a 20.5% market share for all new housing in 2006.

The report says overall growth in housing starts was 3.5% and that it estimates growth in timber frame construction was 7.5% compared to 2.4% for masonry. Bryan Woodley, chief executive of the UKTFA said he expected growth in timber frame housing to expand at twice the average rate to 2009, and that the highest growth would be concentrated in the social housing sector. A full market report will be available this autumn.