UK Timber Frame Industry Releases Vital Statistics

An UK Timber Frame Association product story

Edited by the Buildingtalk editorial team Apr 29, 2003

The UK Timber Frame Association has released its "state of the industry" statistics for 2001, covering the performance of the timber frame industry throughout the UK for the first time.

The statistics revealed a 24.5% increase in industry turnover to £306 millions (£246 millions in 2000); a 21.4 % increase in the number of units manufactured to 29,272 (24,115 in 2000); and a UK market share for timber frame houses of 14.1% (12% in 2000).

On a country by country basis, 9% of all new housing in England was timber frame (6.8% in 2000); in Wales 8.3% of all new housing was timber frame (6.0% in 2000); and in Scotland, traditionally the UK area showing highest timber frame penetration, 55% of all new housing was timber frame (50% in 2000).

Growth was achieved in Northern Ireland also.

Comparing English and Scottish figures against all new housing UK-wide in 2001, English timber frame "starts" represented 6.8%, while Scottish timber frame "starts" represented 6.7% of all new housing in the UK.

Thus for the first time for many years the number of units of timber frame built in England has exceeded that of the number built in Scotland in any one year.

In terms of types of unit, the trend to develop markets outwith traditional low rise residential continued with mid rise dwellings (over 2 storey) taking 23.2 % of the timber frame market (16.3% in 2000); and commercial projects taking 7.7% of market (6.6% in 2000).

UKTFA Chief Executive Mr Bryan Woodley commented: " The message that timber frame construction offers sound economic, environmental and lifestyle advantages is clearly being accepted by both the construction industry and the public, with one in seven new houses now being built in modern timber frame.

Across the country, UKTFA member companies are delivering a factory -engineered, quality assured product that is right for 21st century living." For further information on timber frame or UKTFA membership please visit our website at www.timber-frame.org.