» Timber framed homes make a comeback

Persimmon produces carbon friendly homes fast!

Article Published: 3rd February 2010

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When Persimmon, Britain’s biggest homebuilder, bought Westbury, another smaller builder, it also inherited Space4 in 2005. Space4 built mostly affordable homes of timber frame and in the down turn that followed their acquisition, Space4 barely made 1,000 homes a year and although remained with Persimmon, struggled to increase their market share during difficult times for house builders.

Since then, things have gradually picked up and Space4 built around 2,000 homes last year with expectations that its eco friendly framed homes will increase by a further 500 a year by 2011. The number of timber framed houses being built in 1990 was around 8% of the total for the UK, some people felt timber frames were less robust and may be prone to fire hazards. By 2008 the figure had risen to 25% of the total new housing market. Consumers are now looking at the fact that the homes are made from a renewable source, a plus point for builders who are under pressure by the government to produce zero carbon homes for the future.

The homes are constructed in a fraction of the time taken for other structures and can be ready for the market within 8-10 weeks compared to 12-14 with other homes. The 1,200 square foot homes are built using panels which are prepared in the factory in Castle Bromwich and transported to sites around the country. The homes have improved thermal insulation and look exactly the same as conventional homes.