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The UK Timber Frame Association believes government commitment to zero carbon homes will bring a big boost for the timber frame industry.
Housing minister Grant Shapps has confirmed that future Building Regulations will concentrate on getting the fabric of the building right.
“The Minister is essentially saying that leaky, poorly built homes with fancy renewable energy systems will, in time, no longer be acceptable – the emphasis should be on putting the fabric first,” says UKTFA chairman Geoff Arnold.
“We only need to look at the social housing market to appreciate this point – social housing regularly achieves Code 4 and it’s no surprise that these homes, plus homes achieving Code levels 5 and 6, are timber frame.
“It’s all well and good central government setting the standards but it’s a positive step to see government accept that delivery has to be led by local decision makers if zero carbon homes are to be a reality.”
The Hanson ECOhouse at the BRE was the first masonry house to achieve code 4 of the Code for Sustainable Homes.
