Helping Shift U.K. Homebuilders to Wood from Brick
In England, brick has long defined the skyline. From rows of terraced homes to new suburban developments, traditional brick-and-mortar construction has been the norm. Now, as the government moves to dramatically increase housing supply while accelerating net-zero goals, momentum is building to put wood at the centre of the solution.
As demand grows for faster, lower-carbon building methods, new opportunities are emerging for wood products, including West Fraser’s Scottish-manufactured panels. West Fraser Europe is playing a key role in supporting the shift toward timber-frame construction.
To support this shift, West Fraser welcomed homebuilding leaders to our Inverness, Scotland, Sterling OSB mill last October as part of a Timber Learning Journey, an industry education session.
“Organized by the Structural Timber Association, the visit gave builders, housing partners and government groups a hands-on look at how wood-based construction can help the U.K. — particularly England — meet both its housing targets and climate goals by moving from traditional brick-and-mortar builds to modern timber frame systems,” said Simon Woods, Director, Sales, Marketing and Logistics. “This offers great market development potential for West Fraser.”
He added that growing the market depends on helping builders understand how wood-based building systems work, from structural integrity and speed of construction to environmental benefits and building confidence in their long-term value.
Unlocking potential
Scotland already leads the U.K. in low-carbon homebuilding, with 92 per cent of new homes being built using timber-frame construction. In England, however, brick-and-mortar still dominates.
That may be changing. New housing targets and climate friendly policies in the U.K. are creating new opportunities for wood-based building systems. With the U.K. government aiming to deliver 1.5 million homes over the next five years, construction leaders are calling for proven solutions to accelerate sustainable house building.
Timber Learning Journeys are designed to show how timber frame methods can help meet both housing demand and net-zero goals — building more homes faster and with a lower carbon footprint.
A tour of Inverness
The visit to our Inverness mill took delegates through the manufacturing process for SterlingOSB Zero. Dan C., West Fraser Europe’s Senior Key Account Manager for the Housebuilding Sector, explained how SterlingOSB Zero plays an integral part as a structural panel in timber frame construction and that it has net carbon-negative certification.
“Timber Learning Journeys are focused on supporting English-based developers as they transition from masonry to timber frame construction,” Dan said. “Most large homebuilders are already committed to timber frame but need technical support to scale up, and the small- and medium-sized sector represents significant untapped potential.”
All of West Fraser’s U.K.-manufactured engineered wood panels are produced from sustainably sourced timber, are 100 per cent renewable and are the only major building material that stores carbon throughout its service life.
A key part of the session demonstrated how incorporating these products can help housebuilders reduce Scope 3 emissions and, because they are net-carbon negative, offset building emissions.
Timber frame construction is emerging as a strong and innovative alternative to traditional brick-and block methods. It is crucial that we educate the market, particularly in England, on the benefits of adopting timber frame methods.
Theresa-Marie M., Strategic Analysis Manager
The Structural Timber Association and attendees were overwhelmingly positive following the Inverness tour. “Thank you to the team at West Fraser Europe for your generous hospitality and for sharing the story behind SterlingOSB Zero with such passion and clarity. It was a real highlight of the Timber Learning Journey and a powerful example of the innovation driving the U.K.’s timber sector.”
Additional Timber Learning Journeys are planned over the coming months.
