Masonry construction is a proven resilient method of construction that is preferred by home occupiers. It offers a highly durable, flexible, adaptable and highly cost-effective building solution.
In an uncertain world being able to source locally and create high value jobs is essential as is the need to build new homes that will be fit for purpose as our climate warms, and we experience severe weather events including high winds, storms, flooding and wildfires.
In an uncertain world being able to source locally and create high value jobs is essential as is the need to build new homes that will be fit for purpose as our climate warms, and we experience severe weather events including high winds, storms, flooding and wildfires.
With 40-degree summers on the horizon overheating will become as bigger an issue as underheating. Lightweight building is proven to overheat leading to a significant risk to life, particularly as our ageing population increases.
Given these challenges it seems incomprehensible that the UK Government and responsible housing developers are advocating the use of timber from abroad to build new homes. In 2013, the UK produced 3.6 million cubic metres of sawn wood, but also imported 5.5 million cubic metres. The structural timber used for building homes is 100% imported as timber grown in the UK does not have sufficient strength. This timber comes from countries including Scandinavia, Canada and most controversially Russia, the latter suspected of flowing into the EU illegally.
Given these challenges it seems incomprehensible that the UK Government and responsible housing developers are advocating the use of timber from abroad to build new homes. In 2013, the UK produced 3.6 million cubic metres of sawn wood, but also imported 5.5 million cubic metres. The structural timber used for building homes is 100% imported as timber grown in the UK does not have sufficient strength. This timber comes from countries including Scandinavia, Canada and most controversially Russia, the latter suspected of flowing into the EU illegally.
Forests are critical to the Earth's ecology. They capture and store carbon out of the atmosphere. They can alter the air quality and quantity of drinking water, and they provide habitat for many of the world's terrestrial species. And yet, alarming rates of deforestation are continuing all over the globe, despite warnings from scientists and urgent calls from environmentalists about the impacts on biodiversity and climate.
If this trend continues unabated, the mass clearing of trees will result in the extinction of many forms of life on this planet. According to the World Animal Foundation, we are losing an estimated 137 species of plants, animals and insects every day due to deforestation. Despite growing awareness of the importance of preserving our forests, deforestation remains a growing problem, driven by various economic, social, and political factors. Deforestation is a global environmental issue that threatens biodiversity, disrupts climate balances, and undermines vital natural resources essential for human survival.
If this trend continues unabated, the mass clearing of trees will result in the extinction of many forms of life on this planet. According to the World Animal Foundation, we are losing an estimated 137 species of plants, animals and insects every day due to deforestation. Despite growing awareness of the importance of preserving our forests, deforestation remains a growing problem, driven by various economic, social, and political factors. Deforestation is a global environmental issue that threatens biodiversity, disrupts climate balances, and undermines vital natural resources essential for human survival.
The benefits are many including:
Off The Shelf Masonry - Available direct and from builders’ merchants which increases flexibility to build at the pace of home sales and reduces the significant cash flow impact of imported building systems.
High Performance masonry construction - Proven to reduce the carbon impact by up to 91% when built with a 150 mm cavity in homes built to meet the Future Homes Standard.
Embodied carbon - Masonry construction is produced using local materials and is designed to last over 150 years with reuse at the end of life. Unlike imported materials the EPD’s reflect the whole lifecycle, and these will only improve as the masonry industry is committed to decarbonisation including the transition to net zero energy in the production process. Current calculation of embodied carbon fails to take account of the whole life carbon impact of imported materials due to the lack if accurate data.
High Performance masonry construction - Proven to reduce the carbon impact by up to 91% when built with a 150 mm cavity in homes built to meet the Future Homes Standard.
Embodied carbon - Masonry construction is produced using local materials and is designed to last over 150 years with reuse at the end of life. Unlike imported materials the EPD’s reflect the whole lifecycle, and these will only improve as the masonry industry is committed to decarbonisation including the transition to net zero energy in the production process. Current calculation of embodied carbon fails to take account of the whole life carbon impact of imported materials due to the lack if accurate data.
Thermal Mass - Masonry absorbs and stores energy allowing buildings to keep warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
High Compressive Strength - Masonry can withstand significant compressive loads and is suitable for all building heights. The use of non-combustible brick slip cladding systems in buildings over 11m is becoming more common and is being widely used to reclad buildings deemed unsafe in the wake of the Grenfell tragedy
Resilience to Climate Change - Wildfires and flooding and macro-economic events such as wars, pandemics and political issues will all become bigger issues in an uncertain world. It is of critical importance that we protect and invest in the UK building products industry and minimise our dependency on imports.
High Compressive Strength - Masonry can withstand significant compressive loads and is suitable for all building heights. The use of non-combustible brick slip cladding systems in buildings over 11m is becoming more common and is being widely used to reclad buildings deemed unsafe in the wake of the Grenfell tragedy
Resilience to Climate Change - Wildfires and flooding and macro-economic events such as wars, pandemics and political issues will all become bigger issues in an uncertain world. It is of critical importance that we protect and invest in the UK building products industry and minimise our dependency on imports.
Fire Resistance
Masonry is non-combustible, providing excellent fire protection. It can safeguard occupants and their belongings during a fire incident. The risk of fire is often associated with tall and high-risk buildings but, evidence from Paradise in California in 2018, shows how a wildfire destroyed the town with 85 lost lives and massive ongoing distress. Non-combustible masonry homes would have saved lives.
Wildfires now affect the United Kingdom more frequently. Since 2012 wildfires have been included in the national risk register of events which public bodies and businesses should be preparing for. Statistics from The European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS) show there were 151 large wildfires of 30 hectares or more, from Loch Garve in Scotland to Dorset on the south coast. The recent fires in LA California are a stark reminder of the dangers of building homes in wood. Not only have we witnessed a tragic loss of lives and property but we have also seen carbon released that dwarfs that produced by fossil fuels.
Floods - Over 5.2 million homes and properties in England are currently at risk from floods. Flooding often has a worse impact on lower-income households who cannot afford to make their homes flood-resistant or the insurance premiums to cover flooding.
Increased rainfall warmer air can hold more water, climate change is also leading to heavier rainfall and extreme floods in other areas. This claims lives, destroys homes and infrastructure, and puts a huge economic burden on our societies. This will lead to wet timber frame systems becoming very wet with the moisture sealed in with no way to dry out and the strong likelihood of long- term rot, moisture ingress and damp and mould growth.
Increased rainfall warmer air can hold more water, climate change is also leading to heavier rainfall and extreme floods in other areas. This claims lives, destroys homes and infrastructure, and puts a huge economic burden on our societies. This will lead to wet timber frame systems becoming very wet with the moisture sealed in with no way to dry out and the strong likelihood of long- term rot, moisture ingress and damp and mould growth.
Indoor air quality and preventing overheating - The Homes of the future will be more mire airtight and we will see long hot summers resulting in overheating. Our homes should be designed and ventilated to offer good indoor air quality and should include thermal mass and natural shading to mitigate overheating.
Comfort - We need homes that are energy efficient, well-ventilated and don’t overheat. PhD research and Future Homes Standards Demonstrators post occupancy evaluation, carried out by Birmingham City University “Centre for Future Homes” provides evidence of the solid performance of masonry construction.
Natural Hazard Resistance - Masonry structures are more resistant to natural disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and even gunfire. Their durability is evident in ancient architecture that still stands today.
Comfort - We need homes that are energy efficient, well-ventilated and don’t overheat. PhD research and Future Homes Standards Demonstrators post occupancy evaluation, carried out by Birmingham City University “Centre for Future Homes” provides evidence of the solid performance of masonry construction.
Natural Hazard Resistance - Masonry structures are more resistant to natural disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and even gunfire. Their durability is evident in ancient architecture that still stands today.
Natural Habitat - Trees provide natural habitats and a natural carbon sync. Deforestation and the importation of trees will be a net contributor to undermining our ability to meet our climate change objectives.
Longevity - Masonry has an exceptionally long usable life. Unlike wood, there are masonry structures that have endured for millennia. Masonry homes are constantly reimagined to meet future needs. Sustainable construction can not be achieved with 60 years or less design life.
Adaptability - Masonry construction is highly adaptable allowing home occupiers to fix to and make changes such as home extensions.
Longevity - Masonry has an exceptionally long usable life. Unlike wood, there are masonry structures that have endured for millennia. Masonry homes are constantly reimagined to meet future needs. Sustainable construction can not be achieved with 60 years or less design life.
Adaptability - Masonry construction is highly adaptable allowing home occupiers to fix to and make changes such as home extensions.
Speed of construction
An important factor, but not at the expense of quality. Masonry construction can start immediately as there are no long lead times associated with offsite systems. Masonry is fast but flexible allowing the rate of build to align with the sales rate. The under delivery of new homes is all to do with planning, finance and market forces and ot the method of construction.
Unfair Government policy has seen direct grants, public subsidy and 106 agreements requiring the use of imported MMC building systems. This policy has reduced the delivery of affordable housing, added cost and has damaged British Industry and investment.
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