While the cost of bricks and blocks used in most new home construction will continue to rise disproportionately due to skyrocketing gas prices, the introduction of tough new building regulations expected in April will also encourage more house builders and housing associations to try timber frame construction.

This is the view of the trade body for the timber frame industry, the UK Timber Frame Association, who says the tangible business benefits of this way of building will keep the construction industry coming back for more during 2006.

A recent report from the National Audit Office into modern methods of construction confirms that timber frame is already cost comparable to traditional brick and block construction methods. In fact a financial advantage to developers of up to £35 per square metre is obtainable.

Phil Key, chairman of the UKTFA says: "Timber frame is extraordinarily well placed to benefit from the economic and legislative developments that will affect UK house building in 2006."

"Spiralling materials costs are already hitting the construction industry hard, and gas-guzzling plants are closing as energy prices continue to rise. In contrast, timber frame manufacturers are extending their production capacity around the country."

"We are nowhere near as dependent upon expensive fossil fuels. In fact, 77% of the energy used in the production of wood products in the UK comes from wood residues and recovered wood. Through recycling our own waste we help to keep our manufacturing costs and environmental impact as low as possible."

"These economic advantages come at the same time as regulatory changes that will hit masonry construction hard, but that are negligible to us. New energy efficiency regulations for the construction of new homes being introduced from 1 April 2006 can be achieved with a simple, highly insulated timber frame solution that is already standard across our industry."

"This means more timber frame homes that use less energy to run, which is a benefit to home buyers that will continue to increase in importance as domestic fuel bills rise."