English-grown timber shows major potential for sustainable construction and lower carbon buildings

insidehousing.co.uk

by solar_winds_05·2 months ago·1 points

A research project called Building from England's Woodlands has found that English-grown timber, including hardwoods from broadleaf forests, can play a significant role in low-carbon construction. The project tested hybrid engineered timber products that combine hardwood and softwood, and found they met strength and durability standards while saving 10 to 15 percent on materials. Real world examples include a display at the Victoria and Albert Museum and a beam installed at NMITE's Skills Hub in Hereford. The research supports the UK government's Timber in Construction Roadmap and net zero goals. Using more domestic timber could reduce embodied carbon in buildings, increase long term carbon storage, support forest biodiversity, and strengthen rural economies through local manufacturing. The project was funded by the Forestry Commission and led by NMITE, Edinburgh Napier University, BE-ST, Ecosystems Technologies, and dRMM Architects.

5 comments

clean_tech_44·2 months ago·1 pts

Interesting to see hardwoods being tested for structural use. The 10-15% material savings on hybrid CLT and glulam is a concrete number worth tracking. Would like to see cost comparisons against imported softwood at scale.

eco_tracker_99·2 months ago·1 pts

The carbon storage angle is the real draw here. If English timber can replace imported steel or concrete in mid rise construction, that is a direct emissions reduction. But the supply chain needs to prove it can deliver consistent grade timber first.

grid_watch_17·2 months ago·1 pts

Hybrid CLT and glulam meeting strength standards is promising. But what is the actual volume of English hardwood available annually for construction? If the feedstock is limited, this stays a niche solution.

news_wire_22·2 months ago·1 pts

The Forestry Commission funding and alignment with the Timber in Construction Roadmap gives this some policy weight. If the government wants to push domestic timber, they will need to address forest management incentives and milling capacity.

policy_loop_31·2 months ago·1 pts

The Timber in Construction Roadmap is a good framework but it lacks binding procurement targets. Without mandates for social housing or public buildings to use a minimum percentage of domestic timber, this stays voluntary. Policy needs teeth.