Contrary to what is being claimed, the fire resistance of timberframe dwellings is not open to question or debate. Timber frame is a modern method of construction which more than meets fire regulatory requirements across the world. If it didn't, it wouldn't account for 90% of low-rise housing in the US and Canada. Nor would it have a new-housing market share of 20% in England and Wales, 75% in Scotland and 30% in Ireland. Timber frame's market share increased by 14% in Northern Ireland last year and it is interesting to note that up to 90% of self-build homes in the UK are timber frame, despite similar negative advertising there.

There's a belief that concrete has better heat-retention properties but what the advertisements don't say is that concrete takes a long time to heat up and not so long to cool down, especially when hollow block is used. The net result is higher heating bills. Meanwhile independent studies have shown that a reduction of 30% in heating costs can be achieved when building in timber frame. In terms of sustainability, all wood sourced by Irish timber-frame manufacturers comes from renewable resources which are the ultimate in environmental friendliness. It is well known that trees, particularly young forests composed of growing trees, absorb carbon dioxide which is then converted into oxygen and released back into the atmosphere. For every tonne of CO2 absorbed nearly three quarters of a tonne of oxygen is emitted. No concrete manufacturing facility can lay claim to this. Through Sustainable Energy Ireland the government has now implemented the EU's Energy Performance of Building Directive and Building Energy Ratings will be phased in over the next two years or so. Both timberframe and concrete dwellings, whether residential or nonresidential, will be affected. But under the formula used to calculate a building's energy rating, timber frame will in fact score better than concrete, where all other factors used in the calculation are equal.

We are told that concrete floors and walls greatly reduce noise between rooms but most houses today are built with timber floors and timber partitions and noise transfer is prevented by installing the required levels of sound insulation. It's no different with timber frame. The adverts refer to 'lightweight construction' but don't acknowledge its inherent strength. Timber frame is engineered and manufactured to precise tolerances and is as strong and durable as any other form of construction. Otherwise it wouldn't meet Irish building regulations. This is particularly true of frames supplied by a member of the Irish Timber Frame Manufacturers' Association, all of whom are all quality-approved by the National Standards Authority in Ireland under the authority's certi"cation scheme. What the factory supplies to the builder is a highly engineered ready-to-go product which can be erected and roofed within a week. There is no drying out period, which allows the follow-on trades to complete their part of the process without wasting time. The end customer can take possession in about half the time that it would take to build a dwelling using traditional construction methods.

In conversation with June Edwards