Labour is pushing for more timber frame homes, saying they would be better for builders, and for the planet. 

Keir Starmer's government wants to build 1.5million homes during the course of this parliament, and last month environment minister Mary Creagh unveiled plans to boost the number of those with a wooden framework.

She said: 'This Government is getting Britain building. Our Plan for Change will build 1.5million homes this Parliament. Timber will play a vital role, benefiting development and nature.' 

Only one in 11 homes in England was built with a timber frame in 2019, but the government wants to ramp this up significantly. 

Richard Stanford, chief executive of the Forestry Commission, said: 'To reach net zero, we must increase timber production from homegrown trees and use that timber in our buildings to sequester carbon.' 

This is Money examines the pros and cons of timber frame properties, what they cost and whether or not they are likely to become widespread across Britain. 

Benefits of timber frame homes

Timber frame properties are largely constructed using wood.  

According to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, building homes largely from wood is 'one of the best ways to reduce emissions from buildings.'

It added: 'Around 25 per cent of the UK's greenhouse gas emissions are from the built environment, and larger buildings can store up to 400 per cent more carbon when built out of engineered timber products compared to when built with concrete.'

The speed at which timber-built homes can be constructed is also viewed as a  benefit, as is the fact much of the work for construction can be done off-site in factories. 

Michael Holmes, a homebuilding and renovation expert for the Homebuilding & Renovating Show, told This is Money: 'Timber frame homes present a compelling solution to some of the UK's most pressing housing challenges, particularly in terms of speed and sustainability.

'The offsite manufacturing process enables greater precision, reduced waste, and significantly faster on-site assembly compared to traditional masonry construction.

'This efficiency is especially value in a market where the demand for new homes constantly outstrips supply.' 

He said timber frame construction was 'well-suited' to public-sector housing projects 'which are less vulnerable to the speculative market.' 

Holmes also said timber frame-constructed homes were growing in popularity among people wanting to build their own home. 

He said: 'The ability to customise designs further enhances its appeal, allowing self-builders to create homes tailored to their specific needs and preferences.' 

Timber frame is also available in different widths, meaning more insulation can be added. 

According to World of Wood, timber is 10 times more thermally efficient than concrete and 400 times more than steel. 

Stevenson said: 'They also offer better insulation, which can help reduce heating costs.' 

Drawbacks of timber frame homes

One potential sticking point in Labour's push to increase the number of timber frame homes being built is cost. 

Holmes told This is Money: 'While timber frame offers excellent long-term energy efficiency savings, the initial outlay tends to be higher than for traditional masonry.

'This makes it less appealing to volume housebuilders, who favour methods that align with phased building schedules and sales rates. 

'Moreover, while timber frame homes can be clad in various materials, including brick, stone and render, the continued preference for brick in the UK places additional strain on the skilled labour market, reducing some of the efficiency benefits that timber construction provides.'

Structural problems, fire safety concerns and durability issues have all been flagged as further areas of concern. 

Nick Mendes, mortgage technical manager at John Charcol, told This is Money: 'If built with lower quality materials, they can be prone to structural issues, dampness and rot, particularly in areas with high moisture levels.

'Older timber frame buildings, especially those constructed with softwood, may require more maintenance to prevent degradation over time.' 

Can you get a mortgage? 

Another major issue with timber frame homes is that getting a mortgage on them can be challenging, particularly from the perspective of mainstream lenders. 

Mendes told This is Money: 'Getting a mortgage on a timber frame home can be more challenging than securing one for a traditional brick-built property. 

'Many mainstream lenders classify timber frame homes as non-standard construction, meaning they pose a greater perceived risk in terms of resale value, durability, and structural integrity. 

'However, while not all lenders offer mortgages for timber frame homes, many do, particularly if the property meets certain conditions.

'A key factor that affects mortgage approval is the age and quality of the timber frame construction.'

He added: 'If a property is older or has been built with lower-quality materials, securing a mortgage may require a larger deposit, often around 25 per cent or more.

'Lenders will typically insist on a full structural survey before deciding, as they want to ensure the building is in good condition and does not pose significant risks.

'Another consideration is the type of insulation and cladding used in the home. Some lenders refuse to lend on timber frame homes that have certain insulation materials, such as foam-filled cavity walls, as these can present risks of damp and structural instability. 

'Similarly, if a property has extensive timber cladding, particularly if it lacks brick or stone reinforcement, it may be more difficult to secure a mortgage.'

In cases where high street banks are unwilling to lend, specialist mortgage providers and building societies may offer solutions, although these often come with higher interest rates. 

Will timber frame homes become the norm?

The number of timber frame homes being built looks set to increase, but it remains unclear whether they will become the go-to construction type.  

Mendes said: 'As the UK faces a growing housing shortage, developers may turn to timber frame construction to meet demand more quickly and affordably.

'Prefabricated timber frame homes, which can be assembled rapidly with minimal labour costs, could play a crucial role in future housing developments.

'However, there are still barriers to timber frame homes becoming the norm. One of the biggest challenges is lender hesitancy.'

He added: 'Unless mortgage providers become more flexible with non-standard construction properties, buyers may continue to struggle to secure financing, which could limit demand. 

'Additionally, there is still a perception among some buyers that timber frame homes are less durable than traditional brick-built properties, which may slow their adoption.' 

Mendes believes that while timber frame homes are unlikely to completely replace traditional brick and stone houses in the near future, their role in the housing market will grow. 

Holmes told This is Money: 'While timber frame homes are unlikely to completely replace masonry in the near future, their adoption is set to increase as demand for energy-efficient, high-quality housing continues to grow.

'Overcoming barriers to cost, lending, and traditional aesthetics will be crucial in determining whether timber frame construction becomes a mainstream choice.'