Heavyweight solutions wins more housing share

New housing statistics from the NHBC show that the market share of timber frame for housing dropped from 27% in the 1st quarter of 2009 to 18% in the fourth quarter of 2009, a drop of 9%. Whilst explicit figures for masonry are not collected by NHBC, the results indicate a significant rise in masonry construction. The NHBC figures represent over 80% of all new build homes in the UK and so provide an authoritative overview of the new home market.

“The concrete block industry can take heart from the increase in their market share, which augurs well for when construction activity really picks up”, said Andrew Minson, executive director of The Concrete Centre. “The wide range of inherent benefits of heavyweight construction is seeing off the challenge of lightweight solutions.”

Minson believes that the increasing emphasis on sustainable performance and thermal efficiency has resulted in a growing recognition of the role that heavyweight construction can play in reducing heating and air conditioning requirements. “Masonry and concrete construction offer inherent thermal mass. This, when combined with passive solar design, can significantly reduced the need for air conditioning during the summer and heating in the winter. This is long-term sustainability that is built-in and not an added-on gizmo.”

Research carried out by The Concrete Centre in conjunction with A2 demonstrates how heavyweight construction can reach the highest levels of the Code for Sustainable Homes. The new Standard Assessment Procedure will also enable designers to demonstrate the lower CO₂ performance of heavyweight housing and gain credits in codes and assessment tools.

“To the sustainability credentials of heavyweight construction you can add inherent fire resistance, flood resilience and sound insulation benefits of concrete and masonry construction. “These are benefits that are built-in and free of charge. There is no need for additional finishes or coverings”, said Minson.

Minson continued: “There is a wide range of concrete and masonry construction solutions that offer housebuilders traditional benefits with modern standards of cost effective buildability and quality. It appears that housebuilders are increasingly turning to heavyweight construction.”

Ref: TCC639