As the industry enters a new era of rigour in building safety, Ben Towe at the Light Steel Frame Association (LSFA) explores how light steel frame construction can help meet the UK’s housing challenges.
Following the reset of national housebuilding goals, developers, councils, registered providers and local authorities now face the formidable task of delivering 1.5 million new homes within five years. That equates to approximately 370,000 homes each year – a figure that many experts say is increasingly unlikely to be achieved.
As building safety regulations evolve, the question facing us is no longer whether we can build at scale – but how we can do so safely, sustainably and efficiently. Ambitious targets demand not only robust policy but also an equally robust and compliant construction supply chain. Getting anywhere near this target will depend on the industry’s ability to combine speed with safety and sustainability.
Behind every headline grabbing housing ambition must sit a practical delivery strategy. From planning reform and funding mechanisms to materials selection and supply chain resilience – everything must align to ‘get Britain building again’.
Cost-effective, sustainable & scalable
Among the modern methods of construction now shaping the future of UK housing, light steel frame (LSF) technology stands out as a proven and cost effective solution. Lightweight, durable, and dimensionally precise, steel framing systems deliver significant advantages in both affordability and build speed, two critical factors in addressing the current housing shortage.
Light steel frame offers developers a faster route to delivery without compromising on safety or quality. It is also inherently sustainable, with low carbon and in the near future, zero carbon steel is set to make it the lowest carbon structural building material available.
Prefabricated light steel systems precision engineered in advanced offsite production facilities drastically reduce waste, labour time and onsite disruption. This precision-driven approach allows housing schemes to be assembled swiftly, lowering costs and ensuring greater predictability in project timelines – an increasingly vital consideration in an uncertain economic landscape.
Building a safer future
As the Building Safety Act reshapes the regulatory environment, material choice has taken on new significance. Safety, particularly fire safety, must be embedded at every stage of the construction process, from design to completion.
Steel is non-combustible and does not contribute to the fire load of a building. The risk of fire during construction is much lower and no welding is required onsite, further reducing risk. With suitable board protection, fire resistance periods of up to 120 minutes are achievable.
The independent review of the Construction Product Testing Regime, led by Paul Morrell OBE and Anneliese Day KC, estimated 20,000 to 30,000 construction products remain unregulated, leaving them outside the scope of the Construction Products Regulation (CPR).
Specifying light steel provides an additional layer of assurance. Many LSFA members are BOPAS accredited, certifying a design life of at least 60 years. Furthermore, Steel Construction Institute (SCI) research suggests that the design life of light steel within a ‘warm frame’ environment exceeds 250 years, significantly reducing maintenance and remedial work over the lifetime of a building.
Digital precision, industrial efficiency
Leveraging digital design tools, industrialised manufacturing techniques and rigorous quality control, our members are redefining what efficient, high quality housing delivery looks like.
The sector’s digital maturity gives it a unique advantage. We are already working in a fully mechanised environment – integrating design, engineering, manufacturing and installation through one continuous digital workflow.
This level of precision supports a wide range of residential solutions. From loadbearing and infill walling systems to volumetric modular homes – all capable of meeting the most stringent Building Regulations and safety standards – above and below 18 metres.
Sustainability for the long term
Beyond speed and safety, sustainability remains the cornerstone of future housing policy. In line with a circular construction approach, steel is infinitely recyclable or reusable. The ability to reclaim and reuse steel without degradation ensures that today’s housing investments can become tomorrow’s material assets.
Through Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) technology – using sustainable power sources and recycled steel, the industry is now making major sustainability strides. In the coming decade, we will see the emergence of zero carbon steel manufacturing. This will position steel as the ultimate sustainable structural material – offering both circularity and resilience.
For councils, local authorities and registered providers under pressure to balance social value with environmental responsibility, this represents a transformative opportunity. Light steel construction not only aligns with the Future Homes Standard but also contributes to net zero carbon ambitions, helping to future proof our housing stock.
Driving engagement & change
The Light Steel Frame Association is committed to supporting developers, designers and decision-makers in understanding the full potential of this technology. Bringing together manufacturers, installers, architects, engineers and clients, the LSFA serves as a central hub for innovation, technical expertise and collaboration across the supply chain.
Our mission is to champion change. We are here to ensure that safety, quality, and sustainability are not competing priorities but shared outcomes. With the right systems and partnerships in place, light steel framing can help the UK meet its housing targets – quickly, safely and responsibly.
Ben Towe is chair of the Light Steel Frame Association (LSFA)