By Gary Gray, general manager of Muir Timber Systems, part of the Muir Group
THE housing crisis in Scotland is becoming ever more acute. More than 110,000 more homes are needed to alleviate what even the Scottish Government calls an ‘emergency’. Not only do these homes need to be delivered quickly, but they need to be delivered in line with our future climate goals.
That is where the benefits of timber frame homes come in. Compared to more traditional masonry builds, these homes are much quicker to erect. The impact of inclement weather, a particular problem here in Scotland, are also significantly reduced. There is no need to stop for rain, frost or snow, and homes can be wind and watertight in a matter of days. The speed and efficiency delivered by building with timber frames means that costs are reduced for the end consumer, whilst performance and quality are enhanced.
There are also significant benefits to the environment during the build process. Timber is lighter than traditional masonry builds, which can lessen the requirement for deep foundations or piling. It also means a more efficient use of land as it becomes more viable to build in areas where ground conditions are slightly more challenging.
Muir timber frames and roof trusses are manufactured in a quality controlled factory environment, where there is reduced waste and any timber by-products are recycled right away too. Timber also has one of the lowest carbon impacts of any building material and is completely renewable. The industry is successful in planting more trees than it consumes, supporting a greater coverage of Scotland in trees – one of the key targets of the Scottish Government’s plans for net zero by 2045.
Moreover, the end product is more energy efficient. Timber frames lead to increased air tightness due to machine manufacture. The thermal properties of wood also help lower heating bills, meaning more efficient running costs for the end consumer, and reduced reliance on fossil fuels to keep homes warm.
Muir Timber Systems is a prime example of how the Scottish construction industry can embrace sustainability and innovation. By using off-site manufacture, sustainable timber, and with a factory powered by solar in Inverkeithing, our in-house technical experts are constantly reducing waste and carbon emissions, whilst delivering high-quality trusses and timber kits that meet the needs of our many customers across the country .
Our reputation as a trusted and reliable partner continues to drive high levels of repeat business and satisfaction. We are strategically placed to lead the way in the timber solutions market and contribute to a greener future as building standards continue to grow ever more demanding.
