The emphasis on the building fabric of homes is a boost for the timber frame industry whose Fabric First campaign has sought to influence regulators and builders to concentrate on the building fabric and not "eco bling" or bolt-on renewable energy.

"The uplift is less ambitious than the industry would have hoped for, but we are positive that these changes will push the industry forward to the longer-term goal of zero carbon by putting fabric first, which can only be a good thing for timber frame," said Andrew Carpenter, chief executive of the UK Timber Frame Association.

The long-awaited revisions to Part L aim to cut carbon emissions in newbuild homes by 6%, saving £200 on typical new homes’ fuel bills. There will also be a 9% uplift in efficiency standards for non-domestic buildings.

The changes will come into effect next April and communities minister Don Foster said they would keep on track the government target of zero-carbon homes in England from 2016.

A big change would be homebuilders facing a new target for fabric energy efficiency. The UKTFA argues timber frame can more easily fulfil tighter energy-efficiency standards, compared with masonry construction. The Federation of Master Builders has criticised the new regulations as a hindrance to the supply of new housing.

John White, chief executive of the Timber Trade Federation, said: "The uplift in energy efficiency requirements from April 2014 will give a clear opportunity to timber as a material with a low U-value, as well as to timber systems and engineered building elements which can also be very easily insulated."

No changes are to be made to energy-efficiency standards for extensions and replacement windows to existing homes. A government spokesperson said it would be inconsistent with recent reforms to extend permitted development rights and would impose additional costs on families trying to improve their homes.

Iain McIlwee, chief executive of the British Woodworking Federation, described the revisions as a relatively light touch on newbuild and with little impact on replacement doors