The Plantation Pine Framing Alliance have launched a new regional TV advertisement campaign, screening from July through September 2004. The main message of the campaign is to confirm and promote the advantages of using plantation pine timber framing:

Over 90% of detached houses constructed in Australia each year are built with a timber frame because it is preferred by builders and homeowners alike. This campaign aims to confirm plantation pine's leading position in the framing industry by reminding the community of the advantages of using the product it knows and trusts.

It's strong

Timber framing has been refined over many years to provide a strong and consistent “skeleton” for the home which has been proven to resist all of the forces and loads that nature and time can muster. Timber is tough and resilient on site and is naturally earthquake resistant and predictable in the event of fires. Exciting developments in engineered timber products enable plantation pine timber products to span very large distances.

Flexible

Modern and exciting architectural forms require a product that can be adapted and shaped to produce the desired result in an efficient manner. Prefabricated or built on site timber frames are the product that builders choose – and following trades understand and trust. Plantation pine frames are lightweight, readily available, and easy to shape and install.

Environmentally friendly

• Plantation pine framing is harvested from renewable and environmentally sustainable forests that are carefully managed and use minimal water, fertilizers and other resources.
• During growth, plantation pine trees actually absorb greenhouse gases and store carbon.
• Plantation pine requires less embodied energy to be processed. The table below compares the amount of embodied timber contained in timber to other building materials:

A research report “Environmental Properties of Timber”, commissioned by the Forest & Wood Products Research & Development Corporation in 1996

And Termite protected.

Building regulation requires where termite attack is possible, that houses are protected. This means that all houses, irrespective of construction, should have a termite management system in place that includes ground-line physical or chemical barriers and regular inspection for termite entry. Additionally, where termite risk is high or the builder or homeowner wants additional peace of mind against termite attack, cost effective and readily available termite protected framing can be specified. (see the media page for press release regarding termites and the new termite protected framing products).

For further details regarding media releases please contact:
Nick Livanes
Tel. (02) 9279 2366