Structural Timber Association Ltd

THE GOVERNMENT’S TIMBER IN CONSTRUCTION ROADMAP WILL BOOST INVESTMENT TO DELIVER THE HOMES OF THE FUTURE With the Labour Party having pledged to build 1.5 million homes by 2029, structural timber can accelerate the delivery of sustainable construction by offsetting carbon emissions and providing a faster time to build than alternative materials. Following the publication of the Timber in Construction Roadmap 2025 last week, Structural Timber Association CEO Andrew Carpenter said: “The Government has a target of building 1.5 million homes while reducing emissions from building. Factory-based, modern methods of construction such as timber frame will be vital to helping meet this target. “Already we are seeing major housebuilders make investments in their own production capacity, this roadmap will encourage more timber-frame investment to develop the sector further. “This is a win-win for Government and industry.” #CONFOR #DEFRA #TDUK #TIMBERCONSTRUCTION https://lnkd.in/eyxRYdpg

This is a significant moment for timber in construction At STA, we welcome the Government’s Timber in Construction Roadmap and its focus on sustainable, low-carbon building solutions. As Andrew Carpenter has consistently highlighted, modern timber construction will be key to meeting the UK’s housing targets while reducing emissions and driving economic growth. The benefits are clear: Lower carbon emissions. Faster, high-quality construction. Stronger domestic timber supply chains. With growing investment in timber frame solutions and major housebuilders already expanding their production capacity, this roadmap paves the way for greater industry confidence, innovation, and long-term sustainability. Exciting times ahead for timber in UK construction! #TimberConstruction #Sustainability #NetZero #MMC #LowCarbonBuilding #DEFRA #CTI #CONFOR #TDUK

We at the STA are excited about the future of timber in construction! As Andrew Carpenter highlights: "With the Government’s ambition to build 1.5 million homes while cutting emissions, timber frame and factory-based modern methods of construction (MMC) will be essential. We’re already seeing major housebuilders invest in their own production capacity, and this roadmap will drive even greater adoption of timber-frame solutions. A true win-win for both Government and industry!" #TimberConstruction #MMC #SustainableBuilding #NetZero

Andrew Carpenter, CEO of Structural Timber Association, said:   “It's encouraging to see the construction sector demonstrating resilience with modest growth, even amid economic uncertainties. The government's recent commitment of an additional £350 million towards affordable housing is a positive step. However, to achieve the ambitious target of building 1.5 million homes, it's crucial for the government to implement comprehensive planning reforms and address challenges such as labour shortages and planning delays. Offering faster on-site assembly and less need for specialist skills, the adoption of timber frame as a building material can supercharge the construction of homes. Now is the opportune moment for decisive action to ensure the construction industry can meet the nation's housing needs, and building with timber frame is a viable strategy that policymakers should support.” https://lnkd.in/esHFjrc6

Andrew Carpenter, CEO, Structural Timber Association: “The Government’s £350 million investment announced today is no doubt a positive move. But there is a lot more work to do.   “If Sir Keir Starmer is to succeed where many a Premiership has failed on housing, the Government must embrace change - change in how we build and the materials we use.   “Timber frame takes less time to install than masonry and can, according to Future Homes Standards, deliver a 16 percent carbon saving during construction. There is existing capacity in the established structural timber manufacturing sector to rapidly double timber frame manufacturing output to achieve 100,000 homes per annum – equivalent to one-in-three of the 300,000 homes needed each year.” https://lnkd.in/ePHieWpk

The UK construction industry is undergoing a significant transformation, with structural timber playing a key role in achieving Net Zero targets. But for timber to reach its full potential, architects must move beyond material substitution and embrace timber-specific design principles. What’s needed? ✅ Early collaboration with engineers & contractors ✅ Understanding CLT, glulam & timber frame systems ✅ Compliance with fire, durability & acoustic regulations ✅ Leveraging offsite manufacturing for efficiency With STA Assure ensuring quality & timber’s commercial viability growing, now is the time for architects to lead the way. 📖 Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/ejtdSRZD #SustainableDesign #StructuralTimber #Architecture #Construction #STAAssure #OffsiteConstruction

This week, at Simon Fraser University and Renewable Cities Programme  Mass Timber Round Table, an important conversation took centre stage—one that’s been holding back progress in the sector for too long. Andrew Orriss represented the STA and STA Assure, speaking on a topic that’s critical to the future of sustainable construction: overcoming insurance resistance in mass timber projects. If you’ve worked with mass timber, you’ll know the frustration. The potential is undeniable—lightweight, low-carbon, and breathtakingly beautiful structures. And yet, securing insurance remains one of the biggest roadblocks. Why? Because risk perception hasn’t kept pace with innovation. 🔹 The challenge? Insurers often view mass timber as "unknown territory," defaulting to outdated concerns around fire performance and durability. 🔹 The reality? Mass timber, when designed and built correctly, performs exceptionally well. The evidence is there—it just needs to be recognised. 🔹 The solution? Bridging the knowledge gap between insurers and the industry, showcasing robust data, best practices, and proven track records. That’s exactly what STA Assure is about—setting high standards, providing reassurance, and giving insurers the confidence they need. Because when we remove these barriers, we open the door to a more sustainable, innovative future for construction. Conversations like these matter. #MassTimber #SustainableConstruction #Insurance #StructuralTimber #STAAssure #Innovation

Our CEO Andrew Carpenter was featured in The Herald Scotland on Saturday.   He wrote… BRITAIN needs to build homes fast. And Westminster should urgently look to Scotland for inspiration on how to do that.   Some 92 percent of the new build homes completed annually are timber framed in Scotland. In contrast, in England the figure stands at approximately nine percent. This is key because timber frame take considerably less time to install than masonry.   In Scotland, timber frame has been the construction solution of choice for many decades. It’s high time the rest of the UK grasped the immense potential of timber to speed up the delivery of new houses in 2025 and beyond.   #Scotland #HousingCrisis #TimberFrame #StructuralTimber #OffsiteConstruction #BuildingWithWood #LowCarbonConstruction #ConstructionInnovation #FutureOfConstruction

As we look toward 2025, the future of the UK timber industry is brimming with opportunity and innovation. A recent article by TTJ (Timber Trades Journal) highlights key predictions and trends shaping our sector, and we at the Structural Timber Association (STA) are thrilled to be at the forefront of this transformation. At the STA, we’re committed to advancing the use of structural timber as a sustainable, efficient, and versatile building solution. Our mission is to support the UK construction industry in embracing timber, ensuring success for all stakeholders—from manufacturers to builders to end-users.

At the STA, we’re thrilled to see industry giants like Microsoft exploring sustainable construction materials like wood for their data centres. Timber’s carbon-sequestering properties, combined with its strength and versatility, make it an ideal solution for reducing embodied carbon in modern construction. This initiative demonstrates how innovative engineering and sustainable materials can go hand in hand to address climate challenges without compromising on performance. It’s a shining example of what’s possible when sustainability becomes a core focus in design and construction. We applaud Microsoft for leading by example and showing the world that timber can play a pivotal role in the future of sustainable building. To the architects, engineers, and innovators behind this project – your work is inspiring, and we can’t wait to see what’s next! https://lnkd.in/dZRRq9xn #structuraltimber #CLT #sustainability