Sometimes it's easy to forget the basics – the facts and figures corroborated by independent research that remind us why timber frame construction is such a hit. Here are my top 10 reasons for housebuilders to use it.

1. It's fast

Timber frame (both open and closed panel systems) requires 20% fewer on-site labour days than masonry construction, and ensures a significantly faster construction period overall. This means a faster return on investment, reduced disruption to local communities, and tidier, safer and more efficient sites.

2. It's cost-effective

Timber frame is already cost comparable to traditional brick and block construction. According to last year's National Audit Office (NAO) report into modern methods of construction (MMC), open panel timber frame construction in England and Wales costs £798/m2, compared to £799/m2 for brick and block construction. Housebuilders have the capacity to build one additional house per week with exactly the same cost and resources if they swap to an MMC such as timber frame.

3. It's low risk

There are no high risks associated with open panel timber frame compared to traditional construction which is perceived to be at high risk of price fluctuations, delays due to bad weather, lack of key trade skills, service installation faults, health and safety hazards, construction errors and defects.

4. It's good for tricky sites

Multi-storey buildings favour MMC like timber frame because the costs of complying with Building Regulations for high-rise increase faster for brick and block construction than for off-site manufactured elements. Timber frame systems are also particularly suited to brownfield sites with poor soil conditions (sites that favour lighter buildings), and sites with restricted access.

5. It's highly marketable

Among design-conscious and environmentally-aware home buyers, contemporary timber frame housing is incredibly popular. It's a lifestyle choice – a preference for light, airy homes with inbuilt design flexibility and fantastic environmental credentials. Recent UKTFA research among the top 10 housebuilders showed that the majority perceive there is no customer resistance to timber frame homes.

6. It's a doddle to meet Part L

Adopting a 140mm stud depth in standard open frame wall panels allows a designer to achieve lower U-values with little or no change to the wider technical specification. Using the 140mm solution achieves U-values between 0.30-0.27 using readily available and standard insulation, and using higher performance insulation and insulating breather membranes can boost these figures even more. Even ground floor flats with electric heating could still pass the regulations if they are built using the 140mm timber frame solution.

7. It's a great carbon saver

Wood is effectively a carbon-neutral material (even allowing for transport), and timber frame has the lowest CO2 cost of any commercially available building material. For every cubic metre of wood used instead of other building materials, 0.8 tonne of CO2 is saved from the atmosphere, and every timber frame home saves about 4 tonnes of CO2 – about the amount produced by driving 14,000 miles.

8. Its other environmental credentials are second to none

Timber is an organic, non-toxic and naturally renewable building material. UK timber frame uses 99% European softwood, and it is environmentally sound to manufacture as 75% of the energy used in the production of wood products comes from wood residues and recovered wood.

9. It produces fewer defects

The NAO report confirmed that snagging costs are 33% lower than masonry homes because of the tighter quality control of factory-produced components. NHBC claims records also show that timber frame homes generate fewer complaints.

10. It's easier to get skilled workers

Many housebuilders find that when they decide to try timber frame they can take block work out of the equation and tap into a more readily available workforce of trained erectors and trades experienced in timber frame. The UKTFA has developed an Open Learning Training and Accreditation Scheme for timber frame erectors that leads to a full UKTFA/City & Guilds Accreditation recognised by all the leading manufacturers in the industry. It aims to ensure all site erectors employed directly or indirectly will be so qualified in 2007.