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Structural Timber Association
A Blueprint For Design, Compliance & Commercial Success As the UK construction sector strives to align with net-zero targets and rising housing demands, the STA’s interim CEO Andrew Orriss explains why structural timber is key to transforming the way we build.
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hile its sustainability credentials are well established, timber also brings impressive commercial benefits, bolstered by a growing library of technical guidance and tools. Timber frame construction significantly reduces build times compared to traditional masonry methods and homes can be completed in as little as 15 weeks – almost half the time of masonry alternatives. This expedited timeline leads to reduced on-site risks, fewer delays, and greater predictability, particularly beneficial in the context of largescale housing projects or sites where efficiency is paramount. Timber enables projects to become weathertight up to 10 weeks sooner, allowing interior works to progress well ahead of schedule. Combined with a just-in-time approach enabled by offsite manufacturing, this contributes to less waste, lower costs, and improved project management. With material waste minimised and fewer weather-related delays, timber stands as a robust commercial alternative, especially in affordable housing and high-volume developments.
New guide for design Recognising the need to support best practice as timber use scales across the sector, the STA recently released its most comprehensive design tool to date, ‘Structural Timber: Design and Construction Guidance.’ Aligned with the RIBA Plan of Work, this guide empowers architects, engineers, developers, and insurers to make informed decisions at every project stage, from inception to long-term maintenance. The guide addresses vital topics such as early-stage planning, procurement, fire safety, moisture management, and construction logistics. Crucially, it also demystifies timber construction methods,
Structural Timber Magazine – Issue 39 – Summer 2025
Timber construction is a key part of the route to hitting net zero targets and delivering energy efficient homes
including open and closed panel timber frames, structural insulated panels (SIPs), cross laminated timber (CLT), and volumetric modular systems. By standardising the approach and highlighting the nuances of timber-specific design, the STA is helping designers incorporate timber confidently and compliantly. With the UK’s commitment to reducing embodied carbon in construction, timber offers a sustainable, efficient, and high-performance alternative to traditional materials. This guidance not only supports best practice but also provides clarity for stakeholders across the supply chain, ensuring confidence in timber-built solutions.
Expanding the knowledge base Despite timber’s potential, one of the most significant barriers to its widespread adoption remains knowledge. Too often, design teams approach timber as a one-for-one substitute for masonry or steel, rather than a system requiring its own design considerations and competencies. To overcome this, early collaboration between architects, engineers, contractors, and clients is critical. Understanding the unique characteristics of timber frame systems, from load paths
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