Builders know ‘a nice bit of wood’ when they see it. Yet timber is much more than a day-to-day building material. It’s the means by which builders can play their part in reducing climate change. Wood locks up CO2 in its fibre so the more you plan into your building projects, the better it is for the climate.
As a builder, if you use timber wherever possible in building an average 3-bed semi-detached house – from the roof structure and carcassing to the floors, stairs, windows and doors – you’ll be locking up a total of around 19 tonnes of CO2. It will stay locked away for the lifetime of the timber in use.
If you are working with architects responding to the RIBA 2030 Challenge, remind them that timber is the lowest embodied-carbon building material. If you’re asked for a Life Cycle Analysis to prove that you can find them here.
Timber Trade Federation members supply high quality ‘Timber you can Trust’. Use our search to find a TTF member or product.
Timber and wood products also move with the times. Innovative products include strength-graded finger-jointed carcassing; sheet materials for Passiv Haus building projects and breathable wood fibre insulation; fully-exterior MDF, and solid wood decking with a water repellent surface available in many colours.
If your customers require assurance that the timber you’re using or proposing for their project has been legally-harvested then make sure you source from a Timber Trade Federation member.
Our strict due diligence system, the Responsible Purchasing Policy, is recognised by NGOs and authortites for its rigour. Our members’ actions in sourcing responsibly are subject to random, independent, third-party audit at any time.
They also have to formally report their actions annually and must adhere to any updates to our Code of Conduct as and when they are issued. Visit our ‘Responsible Sourcing page and download a copy of our latest Responsible Purchasing Report.
Looking for inspiration for your customers’ projects? Visit our TimberWorks Case Studies page. You’ll find almost 60 different projects, from domestic extensions to commercial and retail settings and schools. They feature a wide range of timber species and formats and you can download a copy if you wish to show your clients.
Download a copy of our leaflet for builders: Wood, Good for Business, Naturally. It opens out in the centre to show half a dozen inspirational projects to show you all the benefits of working with wood.
We are gradually expanding our resources for builders so check back with this page regularly. We also feature regular in the Builders Blogs on the Federation of Master Builders’ website. Additionally we have occasional features in Master Builder and Professional Builder magazines.
You can also find us on Twitter: @TimberTradeFed or @TTF_Timberworks and on LinkedIn.
Watch these practical talks from Roger Bisby on Wood Campus TV, detailing the installation of everything from fire doors through to cladding and battens with clear step by step instructions.
Timber Trade Training seeks to give you a brief run down on all the need to know information about timber, from installing roof battens and cladding through to treatment, species and sourcing sustainable timber.
