Housebuilders, and eventually the people who will live in those houses, are to benefit from a collaboration between the construction and engineered wood industries. The Structural Timber Association, or STA, and the Trussed Rafter Association, or TRA, have committed themselves to a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to foster a closer working relationship between the two organisations.
Better Craftsmanship
This MOU aims to improve the standard of products and services and increase skills in the construction of roofs, walls and floors. New warranties and technical guidelines are being drawn up to govern installation and assembly of wooden elements of new homes. In addition, the codes of practice for building timber roofs and installing wooden floors are being updated too.
Other areas of focus as part of the imitative include improvements to the supply chain and fostering activities that encourage fresh talent to enter the engineered wood industry, including apprenticeships, professional continual development and quality assurance to enforce consistent standards. It is hoped that by sharing skills and knowledge and collaborating on development that best practice and safety issues can be addressed and progressed to generate growth in the market for engineered wood and timber products.
Increased Demand for Engineered Wood
Engineered wood flooring can offer advantages over solid wood, as it is less susceptible to buckling due to the effects of moisture and temperature changes. For some more information about installing a wooden floor over an existing floor, see this article in The Telegraph.
If you are looking for engineered wood flooring options, it would be a sensible idea to consult experts in the field such as http://www.woodfloorwarehouse.co.uk/engineered-wood-flooring.html, who can give you advice.
Signing the MOU is seen as the beginning of a long-term relationship that will give a boost to raising standards in the use of timber across the construction industry. The TRA members include major manufacturers and those involved in the construction and design of floors and roofs, along with professionals delivering joists and trussed rafters. The STA has hundreds of members who are part of the engineered wood industry or construct timber house frames. The collaboration also aims to raise standards of technical guidance, and in general to raise the quality of products used in house construction and help ensure better finished results.