View point

Sep 19 2007 by Ian Maciver director of consultants Sutcliffe, Liverpool Daily Post

TIMBER frame construction is a tried and tested building method, with benefits widely acknowledged across the developed world. If only that were true in Liverpool. I am constantly surprised at the reluctance of some developers to utilise this cost effective and highly sustainable form of construction.

Timber frame construction received a bad press in the UK during the 1980s because of problems associated with the quality of a large volume of houses built using this method.

The problems back then, however, were more to do with poor quality control and bad workmanship and should not detract from a way of building that is commonplace in advanced western countries.

I’m impressed by the efficiency of timber and the cost savings it delivers. When compared with alternative materials, timber is by far the cheapest, a trend that is likely to continue as the price of steel rises further.

Timber also has fantastic carbon credentials, boasting the lowest CO2 cost of any building material.

Timber also performs extremely well in terms of strength and durability, exceeding other materials like steel and concrete in certain circumstances.

I have specified timber frames on dozens of residential schemes in Manchester which has resulted in huge savings in both cost and time.

Unfortunately however there is a general reluctance from clients here in Liverpool to do the same. I’m already advising the use of timber on a number of schemes in the city centre, including the expansion of our own premises on Harrington Street, and will continue to lobby for increased use of timber frames throughout the region.