Traditionally built homes embracing innovation

nhbc

Three in four new homes currently being built are using ‘traditional’ construction, but they contain a wealth of innovation, according to a new report from NHBC Foundation. Construction methods and the products that are used in house building continue to evolve and reflect advances in technology that are often overlooked.

Despite changing fashions and regulations, the appearance of British homes and the techniques used in construction may appear to have remained essentially unchanged for centuries, yet they incorporate forms of construction that were once seen as “modern methods of construction” (MMC). House building: a century of innovation looks at the technology and materials used in the construction of the modern home, charting the progress made over the last century.

Over recent decades, winters have become wetter and summers drier, this report shows how the NHBC Standards and building regulations have adapted to ensure homes today are ready for the future. When built to the latest standards, new homes are far more robust, they have intrinsic resistance to ground movement, include additional measures to keep rainwater out, as well as achieving high energy efficiency levels. Components such as timber trussed rafters and engineered floor joists now set today’s new build homes apart from previous generations of housing. A home built to modern standards is not only more environmentally friendly but is cheaper to run and can cost half as much to heat as a Victorian home.

This report highlights the advantages achieved when new homes are built to modern standards lead to a much more comfortable living environment whilst saving occupiers money on their bills.

Neil Smith, Head of Standards, Research & Innovation at NHBC, said: “People living in newly built homes are able to reap the many benefits of improved building standards, ranging from better energy efficiency levels, which not only help look after the environment but also leads to greatly-reduced fuel bills.

“This report is a useful reminder of the technology and materials incorporated in the construction of a modern home whilst comparing the performance achieved in relatively recent times with the advancements of the last two decades. What’s more, this report makes clear that what lies beneath the skin of new homes is quite different from what has gone before.”

NHBC

NHBC is the leading warranty and insurance provider for new homes in the UK. NHBC's ten-year Buildmark warranty covers around 80% of new homes built in the UK,

You May Also Enjoy

small house bird box
Breaking News

UK First Time Buyers better off than many other global nations

Is it really that bad being a first-time buyer? UK better off than many other global nations when it comes to affordability The latest market analysis from Yopa, the full-service estate agents, reveals that first-time buyers (FTBs) in the UK may be paying 63% more to get a foot on the property ladder than they…
Read More
new build homes colchester essex
Breaking News

Building Safety Regulator Reform

The Government has announced reforms to the Building Safety Regulator, including leadership, process and investment. The changes are hoped to deliver 1.5 million homes. The reforms pave the way for creation of a single construction safety regulator, as recommended by the Grenfell Tower enquiry. David Smith, property litigation partner at London law firm Spector Constant…
Read More
Breaking News

New anti-money laundering rules now in effect: what landlords need to know

New anti-money laundering (AML) rules came into effect this month, marking a significant change for landlords and the lettings industry as a whole. The new rules mean financial sanctions checks are now required for all lettings, regardless of how much rent is charged. Here, Steve Bond, managing director of residential lettings for Beresfords, explains what…
Read More
Breaking News

What landlords need to know about the upcoming Renters Rights Bill

The government’s long-awaited Renters Rights Bill is one of the most significant overhauls of the private rental sector in decades. While it has not yet received royal assent, the legislation is expected to come into effect late this year, or early in 2026. With the bill moving closer to becoming law, Steven Bond, managing director…
Read More
Breaking News

Mortgage approvals bounce back in May

The latest figures show that: – Mortgage approvals on house purchases for May sat at 63,032 up 3.9% from 60,656 in April. The monthly increase seen in May marks the end of four months of previous decline, with approval levels having fallen each month since January of this year. Approvals are also 2.5% higher than…
Read More
Breaking News

Money and Credit – May 2025

Key points: Net borrowing of mortgage debt by individuals increased by £2.8 billion to £2.1 billion in May, following a large decrease in net borrowing of £13.8 billion to -£0.8 billion in April. Net mortgage approvals for house purchases increased by 2,400 to 63,000 in May. Approvals for remortgaging also increased by 6,200 to 41,500…
Read More