Timber frame dwellings are currently described as ‘all the rage’ in private schemes throughout the country – and predictions from the construction industry suggest more than ten thousand new timber framed houses being provided during 2005. It has been claimed by a study group that timber-framed houses are saving homeowners a staggering £700.00stg. annually in heating costs.

This report is excellent news for Rathfriland based QTF Ltd. The Company Director Raymond Moan currently employs in the region of 15-20 workers. QTF take a lead interest in the Sustainable Energy in Buildings Network (SEBnet) – a new national body set up by the government to promote energy efficiency, combat carbon dioxide emissions, and reduce home heating costs, see more at www.sei.ie for more details.

Timber frame homes are already showing statistics of 40% in the Republic and 8-10% in Northern Ireland, with a noticeable growth becoming apparent in Northern Ireland.

QTF produced 150 timber frame houses in 2005 and are on target to produce 300 in 2006, with our new hitech plant with state of the art machinery just outside Newry.

Industry experts expect the figure for timber-frame structures will exceed 18,000 during the coming year – as a result of many private developers now opting for the timber-framed structures.

Raymond said recently – "the new network set up by the government will open home owners’ eyes to the
daylight robbery we face with the exorbitant annual costs of home heating of the traditional type of building." At the moment the average home heating, fuel and electricity bills costs are between £800.00stg. - £950.00stg. per annum, but a timber-frame house costs only around £270.00 a year to heat.

It is also alarming to think that many block houses which are now being built are years out of date by the time they are finished.

An SEB spokesman said recently: " The new network is expected to prove very beneficial in conserving
energy and keeping down cost. It has been set up as statutory authority to promote energy saving
and it is financed by the EU.