Merronbrook Ltd

26/08/2026

New research suggests English-grown timber has significant untapped potential to support more sustainable construction.

As demand for lower-carbon building materials grows, increasing the use of domestic timber could strengthen supply chains, reduce transport emissions and create greater resilience across the construction industry.

Of course, expanding the use of home-grown timber isn't simply about planting more trees.

It also requires long-term investment in forestry, processing capacity, manufacturing capability and skills to ensure the right timber is available in the right quantities for construction.

For the timber frame industry, it's encouraging to see recognition of timber's importance for UK construction.

A stronger domestic supply chain has the potential to support both environmental ambitions and greater certainty for developers and contractors planning future projects.

Read more:
https://www.insidehousing.co.uk/news/english-grown-timber-has-major-potential-in-sustainable-construction-research-finds-97760

What role do you think UK-grown timber could play in the future of construction?

This is great work by the Forestry Commission, New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering (NMITE), Edinburgh Napier University, Built Environment - Smarter Transformation (BE-ST), Ecosystems Technologies and dRMM Architects

A research initiative by Building from England’s Woodlands has demonstrated “major potential” for English-grown timber in sustainable construction.

21/08/2026

Sustainably certified forests play a vital role in responsible timber sourcing. But sustainability certification and carbon performance are not the same thing.

Timber is increasingly promoted as a low-carbon building solution, but not all “sustainable” forests deliver the same long-term carbon outcomes. Two forests can both be FSC or PEFC certified and still deliver materially different long-term carbon outcomes. Carbon sequestration is continuous, variable, and highly consequential, while certification is fundamentally binary.

The carbon credentials of timber products rely in part on the future recovery and sequestration performance of the forests they come from. Differences in forestry performance directly influence the amount of carbon ultimately stored in construction projects, meaning that simple certification labels are not enough to guarantee climate impact.

As our Technical Director, Andy Gibson, explains, it is important to distinguish between operational sustainability and actual carbon performance. Introducing more granular forestry EPC-style carbon-performance measures may help the construction industry make increasingly sophisticated carbon claims with greater confidence.

12/08/2026

Much of the conversation around reducing carbon in construction focuses on the materials we specify. But the way buildings are designed and delivered matters too.

A recent article from RICS explores how Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) can contribute to lower carbon emissions by reducing waste, improving manufacturing efficiency and creating more predictable construction processes.

For developers and contractors, this highlights an important point. Reducing carbon is rarely achieved through a single design decision. Instead, it comes from a series of interconnected choices that influence material use, logistics, quality, programme and operational performance.

Timber frame fits naturally within this approach. Offsite manufacturing can help improve consistency, reduce site waste and support more efficient construction programmes, while also contributing to lower embodied carbon when specified appropriately.

However, achieving these benefits depends on early collaboration between architects, engineers, manufacturers and contractors.

The earlier structural systems and build methodology are considered, the greater the opportunity to optimise both project performance and carbon outcomes.

Read the RICS article here:

A recent research paper highlights problems with syntax, naming conventions and accurate definitions that challenge the reputation of modern methods of construction as a pillar of climate change mitigation

10/08/2026

As carbon accounting becomes central to construction, Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), material passports, whole-life assessments and embodied-carbon limits are becoming more mainstream and are increasingly being requested by architects, developers and housebuilders during specification and design.

For SME manufacturers, this is an exciting time, but many also face challenges trying to meet this need for credible carbon data, while balancing that against the fact that the methodologies, standards and regulatory frameworks are still rapidly evolving.

In this article, our Technical Director, Andy Gibson, explores how SMEs can begin to build carbon-data capability through practical steps:

➤ Understand dominant material and energy impacts
➤ Develop product-family logic instead of assuming uniformity
➤ Separate fossil emissions from biogenic carbon
➤ Organise data consistently
➤ Focus on progress rather than chasing perfect precision
➤ Be transparent about uncertainty

The practical path forward is incremental: helping businesses progressively improve carbon transparency, creating real capability rather than waiting for perfect precision.

16/07/2026

As adoption of timber frame increases, the construction sector is facing a growing challenge — the availability of trained installers and site teams. As the NHBC highlights, demand is increasing faster than training capacity in many regions.

For developers and contractors, this means timber frame success is not only about design, performance and time savings — it is about working with the right partner and upskilling your team.

Merronbrook helps contractors and developers with this transition through on-site support, guidance and training to help teams deliver timber-frame projects with confidence. Get in touch to discuss how we can support your company.

Full article here:

Rising demand for timber frame homes brings skills challenges, creating demand for specialist training and new career opportunities.

25/02/2026

“𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘮𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬"

That’s a message we hear often.

For most clients, timber frame isn’t just about speed or sustainability — it’s about the peace of mind Merronbrook Ltd offers:

• Confidence in delivery
• Clear communication
• Expert support with design and engineering
• Confidence in manufacturing

Get in touch to discuss your specific project requirements. Our expert team is happy to offer technical and design support to help you move forward with clarity and confidence.

📞01252 844 747 📧 [email protected]

27/01/2026

Speed and sustainability often pull in different directions, but not on Thame Builders Ltd’ recent development at Ickford.

With Merronbrook’s advanced timber frame system and our on-site QA support, the project achieved significant programme reductions and strong sustainability gains.

Offsite manufacturing delivered reliability, energy efficiency, and a smoother build sequence, helping the team maintain momentum throughout the project.

Explore the full case study: https://www.merronbrook.co.uk/news/thame-builders-cuts-build-time-by-30-with-merronbrooks-timber-frame-system/

Thame Builders Ltd partnered with Merronbrook Ltd to deliver two bespoke timber-framed homes in the village of Ickford, Buckinghamshire. With a focus on durability, energy efficiency, and modern building techniques, Director Enis Evlat, opted for Merronbrook’s precision-engineered timber frame sys...

20/01/2026

Lenders are beginning to recognise what the construction sector has known for years. Timber frame can accelerate delivery, improve quality, and support net zero targets, making it a key part of unlocking housing growth.

This article from Orriss at the Structural Timber Association Ltd highlights why lender confidence and modern methods of construction must move in step to meet the UK’s housing challenge.

Read more: https://theintermediary.co.uk/2025/12/why-lenders-and-timber-frame-construction-are-crucial-to-addressing-the-housing-crisis/

Andrew Orriss, CEO at the Structural Timber Association, discusses why timber frame construction is vital in tackling the UK’s housing crisis.

15/01/2026

Timber is now central to sustainable architecture, and those who understand its potential will lead the way. With regulations evolving and new performance expectations emerging, this is the right moment for architects to design confidently with structural timber.

Timber helps meet Future Homes Standard targets and supports offsite construction, while delivering speed, adaptability and the lowest carbon footprint of any mainstream material. However, achieving the right performance and navigating compliance requirements can be complex.

That’s why we provide expert support at no cost, helping you design with confidence from the outset.

How we support your practice:
➤ Technical design support, including full timber frame build-ups and specification guidance
➤ Bespoke panel design and manufacture to meet targeted thermal and performance outcomes
➤ Specialist advice across regulatory requirements, including fire safety and acoustic performance
➤ Integrated design, fabrication and site coordination
➤ Value engineering to improve programme, cost and material efficiency
➤ Quality assurance throughout design, manufacture and installation

With more than 50 years of experience, our team designs and manufactures STA pattern tested timber frame kits, joists and trussed rafters at our Hampshire facility.

We offer free technical consultancy and CPD sessions to help architects design confidently with timber from concept to construction.

Get in touch today to learn more - T: 01252 844 747 E: [email protected]

06/01/2026

Timber frame continues to gain traction across the UK housing sector because it solves several challenges at once:

✔ Faster delivery for time-sensitive schemes
✔ Predictable programme sequencing
✔ Strong fabric-first performance
✔ Lower embodied carbon
✔ Better cost control through off-site manufacture

As a result, timber frame is increasingly the preferred approach for delivering high-quality, energy-efficient homes at scale.

If you’re planning a new build housing development in 2026, we’d be happy to support early-stage design and specification.