74 STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS
construction industry an opportunity to signifi cantly reduce its carbon footprint through zero carbon design and low embodied carbon. The demand for environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles in construction projects driven by clients is on the rise, as illustrated by market research conducted by PwC.
Furthermore, timber offers specifi ers a genuinely renewable alternative to traditional construction materials. Typically, for every tree cut down in a well-managed and maintained farmed forest, another fi ve are planted. In terms of energy consumption of buildings in use too, energy-saving technologies make it easier to super insulate a timber frame or SIPs home, which will signifi cantly reduce the energy required to heat the home. Achieving the same fabric effi ciency in a traditional masonry build would be much harder, taking more space as well as costing more time and money. This is a positive development for both the environment and the homeowners’ budgets, making a home cheaper to heat and cutting its emissions over its lifetime. Apart from substantially reducing carbon emissions, the use of timber in construction offers other benefi ts. When
considering Pre-Manufactured Value (PMV), a timber frame building can represent between 30% and 55% of the building fabricated offsite. So, for those housebuilders looking to develop their social housing share as a result of the Government’s £11.5bn Affordable Homes Programme 2021-26 (AHP), under which 25% of funded projects must be delivered using MMC, there’s real commercial potential.
MAINTAINING PROGRESS & COMPLIANCE As the economic downturn begins to impact everyone across the construction industry, we certainly encourage construction companies to not revert back to traditional methods of construction, and instead consider the whole life costs of the building.
We need to continue the progress made with the use of timber in construction, but it must not happen at the expense of standards and build quality. The Structural Timber Association’s Quality Assurance Scheme – STA Assure, offers fi rm reassurances that STA members are supplying products and systems to an audited quality scheme, meeting or even exceeding current legislation and regulatory requirements. The scheme ensures that members keep on top of the constantly increasing industry expectations on quality and competency, and as legislation continues to evolve, the technical support offered by the STA is invaluable. The importance of these schemes cannot be overstated and offers all stakeholders confi dence in the quality of the homes built.
In what is a challenging 2023, and looking forward, it will be essential for industry stakeholders to collaborate to achieve growth. By prioritising compliance, early engagement and collaborative working, there is plenty of cause for optimism for the year ahead.
Andrew Orriss is the chief operating offi cer of the Structural Timber Association (STA)
SterlingOSB Zero strikes the right pitch
Essex Pitch UK Ltd, which undertakes the most challenging joinery and timber frame constructions, has been making extensive use of West Fraser’s SterlingOSB Zero boards including for a development of stick-built homes on a site in south Essex. A director of the company commented: “We choose to use SterlingOSB Zero because it is net carbon negative and more cost-effective than the alternatives. It is also a heavier, stronger
material than other OSB boards. The boards are versatile as well as being available in larger sizes when we require them.”
uk.westfraser.com/housebuilders The Impacts of the Amended Parts L & F HBD06_West Fraser_Structural Elements - Structural
Timber_Edit.indd 1 © Quickslide 06/06/2023 15:39
INDUSTRY VIEWFINDER OCTOBER 2022
RESPONDING
TO CHANGE - THE IMPACTS OF THE AMENDED PARTS L AND F
PRODUCED IN ASSOCIATION WITH
As of 15th June 2022, new homes starting construction must produce at least 31% less carbon than under the previous regulations, legislated under changes to Part L and F of the Building Regulations. Intended to perform as a stepping stone towards the wider Future Homes Standard, the new Building Regulations will eventually evolve to a target of 75% less carbon by 2025, and net zero by 2050. In this research, Housebuilder & Developer intends to find out
how their readers are adapting to these changes, how well these and future changes are understood, and the impacts they will have on their businesses. Request your free copy of the report today.
https://bit.ly/3z4sLmD WWW.HBDONLINE.CO.UK HBD_White
Papers_Edit.indd 1 20/02/2023 09:09
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