Why timber frame is finding favour.

What is the market like for timber frame?

It's clearly nowhere near where it was, but we think we're faring better than other build methods. The market for timber frame is down by around 29%, but we think other build technologies are down 40%.

Why has the timber frame market crashed less dramatically?

Social housing has kept going and timber frame has always had a good share of this market. I think it's fared better than the private market, though it's still depressed.

It's still attractive as it's a quicker, more thermally efficient method of build. It also scores highly in terms of eco-homes points and the government is helping drive it in terms of offsite manufacturing.

Are house builders seeking alternative construction methods?

Definitely in terms of meeting new Code for Sustainable Homes requirements. People are already building code three and looking to code four next year. If they have mixed-use schemes, they need to find the best way of working.

Developers and contractors already think timber frame is their best way to meet the code. It's a reliable, risk-free way. And the government is beginning to recognise that to build a high performance home, you can't do it by bolting on elements. You have to start with the most efficient envelope as possible, and bolt-ons come second.

Spend the money in the wall system and you can add technology on later as the price comes down.

Particularly with the mothballing of sites, is there still the issue of fire safety that puts house builders off using timber frame?

I don't think they need to mothball timber frame sites. That's one of its advantages. I know a site where the concrete slab is in and they're waiting for funding, but the minute it's in they're on site and its up. There's no need to slow burn it. You can just do nothing and still hit the same deadline. This is a key advantage as the market changes.

Is this the case in practice?

I think house builders are quite resistant to change. Trying to get them to think this way is difficult, especially when they feel a slow build process using masonry might be more cost-effective.

They have to be able to switch trades on and off as well, and historically they've tried to protect the trades and keep them ticking over with a slow drip of work.

Certainly trades now are ready to be flexible so the model could change. Obviously when the market returns to high volume it will be a different ball game, but where we are right now we can turn it on and turn it off. So I think timber frame ticks a lot of boxes.

What is timber frame's market share now?

Our figures are preliminary, but in 2007 it was 22% in the UK and last year it was 25%. I expect it to be higher again in 2009, mainly because of the social housing to private housing mix. The market looks like 80,000 units of private and 47,000 units of social, so it could be much higher this year.

We had a target of 30% by 2010 and we could do it, but it would be a hollow victory with the market so depressed.

Do you see any improvement ahead?

There has been a bit of an upturn in the past couple of months. We've seen developments that had been mothballed being released. These schemes have already been designed, which means a timber frame supplier can be on site within a week.

Some developers want to get a show house up to pre-sell some units quickly, so they will construct it out of timber frame for its speed. Then later there's a decision on whether to build the rest of the site from masonry or timber frame, but that's market driven. To my mind, they should build the rest of the site from timber frame, stop-start-stop-start, as demand dictates.

So speed is the main attraction when the market is slow?

I think our reaction to the market is an important part of timber frame. We can be on site in the first day of the month, the timber frame could be up by the second week and we would need six weeks to fit it out. So it could be complete in eight weeks if sequenced correctly so the house builder could potentially get the money in before they've paid any out. They'd have to be quick, but it could work.

Does the timber frame industry take it as a compliment that more block manufacturers are looking to providing installation teams?

I would say it's logical for them to do that. Timber framers need to be thinking more in that direction as well. One thing timber frame is good for is producing a high performance envelope through a number of options.

The contractor has to buy the bricks, get the brickie to lay them and then get the plasterer in to ensure the walls are airtight. There are disconnected trades the developer has to take responsibility for, but with timber frame it can all be offsite. It's a logical step for blocks to look offsite too.

How are members staying competitive?

Members recognise it's tough, but there are positive signs for timber frame. But the market is much smaller so it's more competitive.

Due to competitive pressures timber frame has come down in price. Timber is back to 2005 prices and labour costs have come down too.

We've also commissioned a report that has found that the cost predictability of timber frame is better than masonry, particularly when you take the higher levels of the Code for Sustainable Homes.

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Three things you didn't know about Geoff Arnold

1. ● He built his own timber framed house using a Pinewood kit
2. ● He is a keen sailor and is enterprise class fleet captain at Grafham Water Sailing Club
3. ● An Adnams drinker, his favourite pub is Butt and Oyster at Pin Mill, of Swallows and Amazons fam

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Geoff Arnold CV

● Jan 2009-present: chairman, UK Timber Frame Association

● 2004-present: managing director, Pinewood Structures

● 2002-04: commercial director, Pinewood Structures

● 1998-2001: European distribution sales manager, Texas Instruments, Germany

● 1993-98: product marketing manager, Texas Instruments, Germany and the UK

● 1985-93: product marketing engineer, Texas Instruments UK

● 1983-85: electronic design engineer, Philips Scientific UK