As builders work to meet ambitious housing targets, many are seizing on the benefits of timber frame homes.
Off-site manufacturing and time-efficient construction mean England is beginning to follow the lead of Scotland, where timber frames account for around 90% of new homes.
And while this shift away from traditional masonry won’t happen overnight, it still represents a significant new trend.
In fact, according to the Structural Timber Association (STA), by 2030 we could see around 77,000 timber frame homes being built each year – an increase from 35,000 currently.
It isn’t just one industry body that’s recognising the transition to timber.
At NHBC, our steering group of representatives from house builders and trade organisations have echoed this pattern, calling for us to support the construction sector in developing the specialist skills needed to build more timber frame homes.
That’s why we’re busy creating a brand-new Timber Frame apprenticeship, with the first intake in June at our Lichfield Hub, to train the in-demand next generation at our purpose-built training hubs.
The recent BEYOND '26 LIVE event also saw us recognise the construction method’s growing prominence with the introduction of the conference’s new Timber Frame Zone.
A uniquely hands-on experience
Adding to the interactivity in place at last year’s inaugural BEYOND LIVE event, the new area was the result of our close collaboration with Vistry Group and the STA.
The idea was simple: to give delegates of any background the opportunity to see how timber frame homes are built up close – and give it a try for themselves, too.
Plenty of thoughtful, painstaking preparation from the team at the Vistry Works Leicester off-site manufacturing facility transformed that ambition into a reality, with a large section of the expansive exhibition hall at Coventry Building Society Arena turned into a custom-made area designed to boost attendees’ confidence.
From here, expert timber frame specialists from our partners and NHBC guided the attendees through the different stages of timber frame construction and discussed the finer details of installation to achieve best practice, capitalising on the time and space available to go in depth.
Most excitingly, hard hats and hi-vis vests were ready and waiting for teams willing to attempt building a timber frame house – with an added incentive that saw many a company’s delegate group step forward.
For every timber frame home built successfully, NHBC had pledged to donate £100 to Crisis, the conference’s official charity partner.
Even VIPs such as NHBC CEO Paul Turner and BEYOND ’26 LIVE host Louise Minchin took the chance to give the Zone a go.
But it was the near-constant stream of house builders, subcontractors, tradespeople and site professionals wanting to test themselves that reflected the growing interest in timber frame homes across construction.
A sign of things to come
It’s clear that this technology is only going to grow and continue to play its part in building more new homes across the UK.
And to do that at scale, it’s essential the industry can access the skilled, specialist labour it needs to meet future demand.
Together with our upcoming apprenticeship and other timber frame-related training opportunities, engagements like the Timber Frame Zone will help us all achieve that.
