As we enter 2026, the timber frame industry finds itself at a defining moment. After a year of policy clarity, public investment and mounting pressure to build faster and greener, the landscape is changing. For those of us who have long advocated for Modern Methods of Construction, market indications suggest that conditions are aligning not just for growth, but for significant transformation.
At the centre of this shift is the UK Government’s renewed focus on affordable and social housing. In 2025, the Affordable Homes Programme received an additional £2 billion in capital funding, providing a crucial boost to the sector. It’s not just the money that matters, but the message. Affordable housing is being prioritised again, and delivery timelines are being scrutinised more closely. That means capacity, programme certainty and trusted delivery partners are now key to unlocking this funding and meeting government expectations.
But while the funding sends a strong signal, it arrives against the backdrop of a deep and ongoing housing crisis. In fact, recent figures show that the number of new social homes being built in the UK has fallen to its lowest level in nearly 30 years – a stark reminder that change is not happening fast enough. Something needs to give. Funding is part of the solution, but without decisive shifts at the front end to unlock land, streamline the approval process and optimise how we build, we will continue to fall short of the country’s needs.
When it comes to site delivery this is where timber frame and Modern Methods of Construction can offer a real and immediate answer. Faster to construct, easier to scale, and better aligned with today’s regulatory and carbon expectations, timber frame construction can play a decisive role in bridging the gap between ambition and reality.
“It’s no longer enough to be a manufacturer,” says David Crawford, Managing Director of Deeside Timberframe. “The public and private sectors are looking for timber frame partners who can think strategically, who can scale, and who understand the pressure that developers and housing associations are under. The reality is that we’re still building fewer affordable homes than we were three decades ago, and that’s simply not good enough. We’ve invested in that capability so that we’re ready to support the next phase of growth in 2026 and beyond.”
The investment David refers to is Deeside Timberframe’s multi-million-pound expansion at our Throsk facility. Designed to increase capacity and throughput, the upgraded site strengthens our ability to respond to rising demand, not only in Scotland where timber frame is already widely adopted, but across England and the North West where offsite methods are gaining significant traction.
This growth in demand is being driven by a wider industry shift. Modern Methods of Construction are no longer talked about as innovations or alternatives, but positioned as essential. Developers need to derisk their programmes. Councils need homes delivered quickly. Housing associations are being asked to meet ambitious net zero targets while staying on budget. In this environment, precision-manufactured timber frame systems are increasingly seen not as a nice-to-have, but as a critical part of the solution.
The cultural shift in how the industry perceives timber frame was noticeable throughout 2025. We saw more collaboration, more appetite for early-stage engagement, and a growing number of developers integrating MMC into their procurement strategies from the outset. Homes England and other funders have also made it clear that build quality, speed and sustainability are now non-negotiables.
But it wasn’t a year without its challenges. The industry continues to face uncertainty around performance standards and energy efficiency regulations in some areas of the UK. There is also the ever-present constraint of labour availability, particularly in follow-on trades. These factors reinforce the importance of offsite manufacturing. When more of the build is done in a controlled environment, quality goes up, risk goes down, and reliance on stretched site-based labour reduces.
David believes this is exactly where the industry is heading. “We’re seeing the early adopters of MMC now becoming standard bearers. The question for 2026 is not whether to adopt timber frame, but how quickly the wider sector can mobilise around it. The government has been clear that delivery must improve. Our role is to make that possible. That’s why we’ve invested in technology, in people, and in partnerships.”
At Deeside Timberframe, we are entering 2026 with confidence. We’ve proven that timber frame can support volume delivery across private, affordable and self-build sectors. We’ve engaged directly with MPs and MSPs to advocate for smarter procurement and greater investment in offsite methods, and we’ve demonstrated through award-winning projects like Cloverhill that quality, cost-efficiency and social value can go hand in hand.
The year ahead will be defined by delivery. There is political will, public funding and strong demand. Now the focus turns to action and we know timber frame will be central to that effort.
To speak to our team about your next project, email info@deesidetimberframe.com or call us on 01569 767 123.