Timber Construction Magazine Issue 1 Autumn 2017

01 AUTUMN 2017 www.timbermedia.co.uk

How EGGER is building on its success OFFSITE CONSTRUCTION: The answer to the housing crisis? PAGE 11 CERTIFICATION: How can you ensure that the timber you are buying has been responsibly sourced?

PREVIEW: Timber Expo PAGE 22

PAGE 18

Owatrol’s powerful, yet eco-friendly varnish, paint and stain removers can always be relied on to bring old timber back to life. Try Prepdeck for your decking or Dilunett gel on your external, vertical wood surfaces - you’ll be amazed at the results.

Has your wood silvered down through exposure to the climate? Then restore its beauty by using Net-trol Wood Cleaner & Colour Restorer for outstanding results. Need to protect your newly laid timber from warping and splitting? Then Seasonite is your answer.

Our high quality finishes not only look great but protect your wood for the long term. The range includes penetrating oils to enhance the natural beauty of soft and hardwood, semi-transparent coloured finishes and opaque paints in a wide range of colours.

CONTENTS AUTUMN 2017 02

WWW.TIMBERMEDIA.CO.UK 02 NEWS

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The latest news from the timber and wider construction sector

08 COVER STORY: EGGER UK Strengthening its position and reaffirming its commitment within the UK construction market, through investment, is a key objective for EGGER UK

11 OFFSITE CONSTRUCTION 11

Offsite construction could hold the key to solving the housing crisis but does the

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sector have the skills and capacity to deliver the homes that are needed to keep up with demand?

14 RESIDENTIAL MARKET Timber frame homes now account for over a quarter of new-build properties in the UK and that number is continuing to rise as developers look to turn projects around more quickly

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18 CERTIFICATION

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Sustainably managed forests can protect wildlife, local communities and the wider environment from the devastating consequences of deforestation but how can you ensure that the timber you are buying has been responsibly sourced?

22 PREVIEW: TIMBER EXPO There will be a focus on addressing safety and quality in buildings when Timber Expo, the UK’s only event dedicated exclusively to timber, returns in October

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31 INSULATION

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Robin Lancashire, senior timber frame consultant at Exova BM TRADA, offers guidance on best practice for party wall thermal bypass when building with timber frame

34 FIRE PROTECTION Gordon Ewbank, technical director at the Wood Protection Association, looks at how flame-retardant treatments enhance the fire performance of wood and wood-based panel products

EDITOR Michelle Gordon  michelle.gordon@timbermedia.co.uk

SALES DIRECTOR Terry Hanlon  terry.hanlon@timbermedia.co.uk  01925 270093

DESIGN Pete Awad  artwork@timbermedia.co.uk

Registered address: 73 Cross Lane, Newton-Le-Willows, Merseyside WA12 9QA Registered in England and Wales. Company Number 10839173. VAT registration number 271 5498 81

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01

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AUTUMN 2017

NEWS

OPTIMISTIC OUTLOOK ON CONSTRUCTION GENDER PAY GAP BUT SEXISM HOLDING 30% OF WOMEN BACK Almost a third of women are afraid of sexism holding them back from pursuing senior roles in construction and 38% of men believe their skills are better suited to the sector than womens, according to a OnePoll survey commissioned by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).

Nearly 39% of workers believe companies aren’t doing enough to attract females into the sector and 42% believe companies need to invest more in training their existing female employees. Equally, those in the sector want to see businesses investing in the future pipeline of talent to build a diverse workforce, with 40% recognising that companies need to invest more in encouraging young girls to pursue a career in construction, so that more women enter the profession.

However, the sector remains optimistic about closing the gender pay gap, with 46% of construction workers saying the gap will be less than 15% by April 2018 and 12% predicting that there will be no gender pay gap at all by this date.

“Although it’s great to see the sector expects the gender pay gap to be lower than the national average, today’s findings highlight that achieving gender equality in the construction sector requires significant commitment from organisations,” said Sean Tompkins, RICS chief executive officer.

“Encouragingly, there is a collective agreement from over a third of both men

Companies can’t afford to not have a diverse workforce today and for

and women across the industry that companies are not doing enough to attract

the future, he said and will need a diversity of visible role models to win the

females into the sector. The findings reveal that it is primarily the responsibility of

war for talent.

individual organisations, to invest in schemes and nurture more inclusive cultures that support women to hold more senior roles in the construction industry.

ACCOYA WOOD RETAINS GOLD STATUS FOR SEVENTH YEAR

Flexible working is key, with over a third of women identifying more flexible hours as a means to encourage them to stay in the sector, he added.

TIMBER TOPS THE LIST OF SOARING MATERIAL PRICES SINCE EU REFERENDUM

Accoya Wood has retained its Gold standard status from the Cradle to Cradle (C2C) Product Innovation Institute for the seventh year running.

Gold status recognises the wood’s sustainable credentials across its lifespan and the recertification, which is valid until June 2019, comes as more rigorous assessment processes have been introduced for 2017.

Accoya was awarded the C2C Gold certificate – the industry standard for a product’s environmental performance and societal impact – for its A third of small building firms say that soaring material prices are

sustainable wood sourcing strategy.

It highlights the importance of using the Cradle to Cradle philosophy in construction and joinery products and demonstrates the positive impact of C2C products on the environment.

squeezing their margins, with timber topping the list, according to new research by the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).

Construction SMEs have reported that prices for a range of materials

Accoya, has also retained Platinum standard (the highest possible certification level in the category) in the Cradle to Cradle Material Health

have risen since the depreciation of sterling, following the EU referendum.

Timber tops the list, followed by insulation, bricks, blocks and

classification. This accreditation, which was issued as a separate certificate,

windows, with plasterboard/slate in joint sixth place followed by boilers

highlights that the product does no danger to either the environment or

and radiators and finally porcelain products.

human health.

A third (32%) of construction SMEs have had their margins squeezed,

Non-toxic and free from hazardous chemicals, it is ranked amongst one

22% have been forced to pass material price increases onto their clients

of the top products on Google’s Healthy Materials Portal Portico. Accoya is

and more than one-in-ten builders have reported making losses on their

the only structural building material to achieve the accolade to date.

building projects due to material price increases.

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AUTUMN 2017

BRITISH WOODWORKING FEDERATION LAUNCHES WEATHER TESTING GUIDANCE FOR WINDOWS AND DOORS The British Woodworking Federation (BWF) has launched a new guide for window and door manufacturers explaining weather testing requirements and providing advice to help BWF members to get their products tested.

Weather performance testing is a means of assessing a product’s ability to achieve specific requirements as set out in British Standards and/or European Standards. Windows and doors can be tested for air permeability, water tightness and resistance to wind load.

The publication covers the relevant standards for weather tightness and how to determine what performance level is required, as well as what needs to be considered before testing takes place.

For more information visit: http://bwf.org.uk/publications/windows

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FINE OVER FAILURE TO CORRECTLY PLAN CONSTRUCTION OF TIMBER FRAME HOUSES A construction company has been fined for failing to ensure that work on a development of timber frame houses was properly planned and managed, despite previous warnings.

North Somerset Magistrates’ Court heard how Bristol-based Ikon Construction Ltd didn’t ensure that the construction phase of nine timber frame town houses was planned, managed and monitored correctly. The company had been given previous advice after earlier action was taken by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) at other sites.

Following a complaint from a member of the public, an investigation

by HSE identified several risks to health and safety, including risks from the timber frame development, as well as those relating to work at height, plant, temporary works and spoil piles.

Ikon Construction Ltd of Clifton Road, Clifton, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 33(1) (c) of the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 and Regulation 13(1) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015. The company has been fined £145,000 and ordered

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to pay costs of £2191.20.

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Egger Protect.

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No matter the reason for the delay on-site, whether it be material shortages or lack of skilled tradesman, once laid, EGGER Protect can now be exposed to the British weather for up to 60 days ‌ so we have got you covered! For more information on this product and the EGGER Advanced Structural Flooring System with Lifetime Guarantee call our Building Products Hotline on t 0845 602 4444, visit www.egger.com/lifetime or email building.uk@egger.com

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AUTUMN 2017

NEWS

REPUBLIC OF CONGO JOINS PEFC ALLIANCE of Congo marks an important move forward for the development of certification in the basin”.

Brice Séverin Pongui, chairman of PAFCCongo added: “There have been strong evolutions in the way forests are managed in the Republic of Congo, but certification is struggling to develop and become widespread.

“PAFC is set to help promote sustainable forest management, making it more accessible and inclusive, thanks to its development respecting the local context.

“With its careful balance of the environmental, social and economic benefits forests provide to the local forest owners and communities as well as society at large, we are convinced that PEFC certification is the right choice for our country.”

The PEFC is strengthening the capacity Republic of Congo has become the latest

“The forests in the Congo Basin are home to

of PAFC-Congo, mapping all respective

member of the PEFC alliance, joining recent

more than 10,000 species. They provide food,

stakeholders and developing and validating

recruits the Council for Sustainable Forest

water and shelter to more than 75 million people,

the national sustainable forest management

Management and Certification in Bulgaria and

and are of significant economic importance,” said

standard.

the South African Forestry Assurance Scheme

Ben Gunneberg, CEO of PEFC International.

(SAFAS).

“With PAFC-Congo becoming a member of

“This will all be done through a transparent and inclusive process, involving everyone

PEFC and their work on developing a national

interested, through departmental and national

several initiatives to promote uptake of forest

forest certification system, we are taking a huge

workshops,” said Séverin Pongui.

certification in Africa, with a particular focus on

step towards safeguarding the benefits the

Central Africa. Working under the common name

forests in the region provide. We are thrilled to

international PEFC requirements, as well as the

Pan-African Forest Certification (PAFC), there are

welcome PAFC-Congo into the PEFC alliance.

PAFC standards in Gabon and Cameroon, in

Since 2011, PEFC has been engaged in

now three PEFC members in the region: PAFC Cameroon, PAFC-Congo and PAFC Gabon.

“We have been working in the Congo Basin for several years, and the addition of the Republic

“We will also study and analyse the

order to best develop our national certification system”.

KIER LIVING COMMITS TO PLANTING 45,000 TREES BY 2020 TO OFFSET ITS CARBON USAGE Kier Living, part of the Kier Group, has committed to planting 45,000 trees by 2020 to offset its carbon usage.

As part of its new Greener Living campaign, it has partnered with Forest Carbon, a company leading the way in voluntary carbon woodland creation in the UK to create new woodlands over the next three years – to balance, in time, its annual 3,500 tonne CO2 footprint.

Kier Living is also implementing greener

working practices across its development sites and

committed to achieve, and we’re looking forward

on top of carbon capture. Kier Living’s tremendous

helping new home buyers at its developments to

to becoming a more carbon efficient house builder

contribution is across all these project types.”

become more energy efficient in everyday life.

by 2020.”

John Anderson, executive director, Kier Living,

Forest Carbon has planted 5.5 million trees

Stephen Prior, director at Forest Carbon,

in the UK since 2006 and is removing over 1.2m tonnes of CO2 from the atmosphere. Its efforts

said: “Although we are pleased to be leading by

added: “UK forestry is in desperate need of

example and to be the first UK housebuilder to

expansion. We are among the least forested

also support flood mitigation, river improvement

commit to this initiative with Forest Carbon, we

countries in Europe, and yet for example a

and public access and are assured by the UK

know that we – and the house building industry

staggering 80% of the timber we use is imported.

government’s Woodland Carbon Code (WCC)

– need to do more for the environment. It is a

We also need new woodlands for habitat, flood

for important areas such as additionality, risk

major undertaking but one which we are 100%

mitigation, cleaner rivers and community access, all

management and carbon capture estimates.

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AUTUMN 2017

NEWS

JOINERY INDUSTRY OPTIMISTIC DESPITE RISING MATERIAL COSTS Its Joinery State of Trade Survey for the second

followed by demand (25%) and capacity (20%).

quarter of 2017 revealed that 42% of respondents

Half of respondents anticipated an increased

reported an increase in sales volumes over the last

labour force over the next year with 38% reporting

quarter, with 52% reporting an increase over the

increasing their labour force in the last year.

Raw material costs were noted as an

last year.

Manufacturers felt that sales volumes would

inflationary factor for unit costs for 97% of

improve in the next quarter, with a balance of 61%

respondents, with wages & salary increases pushing

predicting an increase for the next quarter and a balance

up unit costs for 76% of respondents on balance.

of 60% predicting an increase over the next year.

A current order book of future work extending

Exchange rates were a factor in inflating unit costs for 63% of respondents. Over the previous

Although rising raw materials costs and labour

beyond three months was reported by 42% of

year a balance of 64% of respondents had invested

availability are exerting pressure on joinery

companies – up 13% from the previous quarter,

in improving their products with 60% spending on

manufacturers, the industry is optimistic

with 41% saying that their order book extended

plant/equipment. Product improvement was set for

over sales figures and product investment

from between one and three months.

the highest capital investment over the next year,

opportunities, according to the British Woodworking Federation.

Labour availability was listed as the most likely constraint on output by 27% of respondents,

with a balance of 70% planning to invest and with 60% set to spend on plant/equipment.

GENERAL MANAGER APPOINTED Donaldson Timber Engineering (DTE) has appointed

at Gang-Nail Systems in 1996 as a trainee design

forward to leading the team at Andover,” he said.

Sean Annells as general manager of its branch in

engineer and was there for 16 years, working his

“Over the least two decades, I feel like I’ve picked up

Andover, Hampshire.

way up through the design team before becoming a

many of the best practices for customer service and

technical support representative. He later worked at

operational management and I can’t wait to make a

Consultec Timber Frame and Scandia Hus.

start at building on the already terrific work we do at

Annells, who joined the truss manufacturer in 2015 as a design technician, has more than 20 years’ experience in the industry. He started his career

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“This is a great opportunity and I’m really looking

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Andover, and across all of DTE’s branches.”

AUTUMN 2017

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by Appointment to Her Majesty The Queen Manufacturers Of Wood Preservatives Protim Solignum Ltd Marlow, Buckinghamshire

AUTUMN 2017

COVER STORY: EGGER

BUILDING ON SUCCESS products division which included a new tongue

allowed EGGER to grow production capabilities

and groove (T&G) panel processing and packaging

of melamine faced boards by up to 30%,

ailure to invest in any business can

line, a lamination line and the development of an

including EGGER Protect, its market-leading

ultimately lead to the demise of even the

onsite demonstration rig and testing area for its

structural flooring product.

most successful operation.

structural flooring products.

INVEST, INVEST, INVEST........

F

new technology and the production of

market-leading products EGGER aims to give its customers confidence in the knowledge that they are being supplied with the best quality materials.

NEW TECHNOLOGY TO DRIVE PRODUCTIVITY Bob Livesey, commercial director at EGGER UK, explains: “Investment in our new T&G line means we are utilising the very latest technology

EGGER MAKES £10 MILLION CAPITAL INVESTMENT IN THE FUTURE OF UK BUILDING PRODUCTS Strengthening its position and reaffirming its commitment within the UK construction market, through investment, is a key objective for EGGER UK.

The previous line started life in 1986 and has served EGGER and the market well, pressing over

Through continued investment in

19 million boards. This 200 million m2 of production is equivalent to 28,500 football pitches worth of board if laid end to end, and enough to stretch around the world over two and a half times.

The new lamination line increases output and

to boost productivity, which also gives us the

board quality at a time when the housebuilding

capacity to further secure supply to the UK

market needs to grow quickly in order to meet

market for many years to come. This enables us

government targets and public needs.

to lead the way in a challenging market place and reinforces our commitment to our customers.

“The new T&G investment also involves

CHANGING WITH THE MARKET Driven by the needs of housebuilders, the

the installation of a new Peel Clean surfacing

construction market has witnessed a change

facility to bring production of our EGGER Peel

in demand from basic raw P5 flooring to more

EGGER’s Hexham plant is home to one of the

Clean Xtra boards in-house. This means we

innovative products such as EGGER Peel Clean

most technically advanced manufacturing

can continue to develop our product portfolio

Xtra and EGGER Protect.

facilities in Europe, supplying chipboard products

for UK housebuilders at a time when there is a

to the UK construction and furniture industries.

recognised need to build more homes.”

Located in the heart of Northumberland,

The company recently commissioned a multi-million-pound investment within its building

This has prompted further development of these value added materials, to deliver higher

A further investment of approximately £6

results and further peace of mind onsite. These are

million to replace one of five lamination lines has

trying times for builders, with delays to the building process causing issues. Aside from the great British weather, builders are also suffering from material shortages and lack of skilled tradesmen. These delays can mean floors are left exposed for longer and at risk of becoming structurally unsound.

New research and rigorous testing of EGGER’s flagship flooring product, EGGER Protect, has shown that the structural board can remain exposed to the elements for 60 days. This is a substantial increase on the previously cited 42 days and is unrivalled in the industry.

As well as the 60-day protection, the board

All EGGER flooring boards have enhanced moisture-resistant properties with a precision T&G profile created using diamond-tipped tooling.

has a hard-wearing, anti-slip surface, is quick to install, and can be used with underfloor heating systems and tiles.

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AUTUMN 2017

 One of the latest Hexham upgrading lines.

 A new and improved woven film used on EGGER’s Peel Clean Xtra board has also been developed.

By laying the floor properly they benefit from

for growth from these areas may be restricted.

finish, which means no post-installation painting

the EGGER Advanced Structural Flooring System

Add the fact there’s been a significant shift

is required. EGGER Protect can also be installed

lifetime guarantee – another industry first.

from flats and apartments to larger four to five

Time saving features include a concrete-effect

during light rain conditions and is easily cleaned in preparation for handover to the customer.

A new and improved woven film used on

The Advanced Structural Flooring System

bedroom properties, the actual number of units

is designed to save time, money and manpower

built year-on-year is not getting us close to where

on projects without compromising on quality. It

we need to be.

“Therefore, growth must come from SME

EGGER’s Peel Clean Xtra board has also been

is based on the EGGER portfolio of structural P5

developed. This has made the covering stronger

grade flooring boards – EGGER P5, EGGER Peel

housebuilders, with government support to help

and offers better slip resistance contributing to

Clean Xtra and EGGER Protect and suitable for

deliver more housing. Our new investments,

onsite safety.

traditional masonry, offsite modular and timber-

particularly in the value-added structural

frame builds.

flooring boards EGGER Protect and EGGER Peel

Nick Dyke, divisional head of group procurement at Taylor Wimpey, commented

All EGGER flooring boards have enhanced

Clean Xtra, come at a time when the UK needs housebuilding to increase dramatically.

on EGGER’s leading building product: “Taylor

moisture-resistant properties with a precision

Wimpey have been working in partnership with

T&G profile created using diamond-tipped tooling.

Egger for over 10 years and recognise the true

This strong, tight fitting joint minimises air gaps

detailed in the recent white paper ‘Fixing our

value of quality materials in our homes. Egger’s

preventing water entering the core of the board.

broken housing market’. Since the 1970s, the UK

Peel Clean Xtra was used as our standard flooring

Unique in the market, it provides a consistent

“It is high on the government’s agenda as

has averaged around 160,000 homes per year. We

until the introduction of Egger Protect, which is

joint on every board, giving customers the

now need 250,000 - 275,000 annually to catch up

now used on over 30% of our sites. Egger Protect

confidence that every EGGER T&G panel will fit

and keep up with demand.

gives us the added benefit of a ‘finished’ floor

together perfectly. This is only possible due to the

“The various incentives and funds set up by

and crucially up to 60 days protection from the

high-grade formula used to make EGGER’s P5

the government show how serious the UK is about

elements before our roofs are complete – no other

core board which provides the market with the

building more homes, and being more innovative

manufacturer can offer this comfort.”

best possible structural flooring boards to meet

in the ways in which we build. From traditional

their needs.

masonry, to increasing timber frame and offsite

EGGER UK has also invested in a new

construction, now more than ever is the time for

customer demonstration area and testing rig, so as to replicate onsite conditions. The rig has a concrete base with a joist system, typical of those

STEP UP AND SECURE SUPPLY Dan Soulsby, category manager for EGGER

manufacturers of key products in the market to step up and secure the supply of these products as

found on building sites. This allows EGGER to

Building Products, keeps his eye on what is

well as continuing to develop and be innovative to

run real-time condition tests on all its structural

happening in the construction market and told

assist the builders in achieving these numbers.”

flooring products, providing the market with

us: “Housebuilding in the UK does appear to be

EGGER UK is well placed to step up and

the assurance that EGGER boards are the best

growing, with higher numbers in both starts and

secure supply of its products thanks to the recent

available for the job.

completions, however we still remain far behind

investment in new technology and innovative

the figures required to meet the housing demand

product development. With its users in mind,

and government aspirations.

EGGER UK has positioned itself clearly in the

The testing rig is also used for customer demonstrations and hands-on training. Customers can observe how easy EGGER structural flooring panels are to lay, and have a go themselves.

“With around 75% of all private sector starts delivered by the top 50 housebuilders, the room

market as a leading provider of value added flooring products.

To find out more about EGGER Protect contact the EGGER building products hotline on 0845 602 4444, email building.uk@egger.com or visit egger.com/building.

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AUTUMN 2017

The preferred design software for Timber Frame Manufacturers, Engineers & Designers • • • •

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AUTUMN 2017

FEATURE: OFFSITE CONSTRUCTION

IS OFFSITE THE ANSWER TO THE HOUSING CRISIS? Offsite construction could hold the key to solving the housing crisis but does the sector have the skills and capacity to deliver the homes that are needed to keep up with demand?

By Michelle Gordon

T

he UK is failing, despite the best efforts of successive governments, to build enough homes but could a renewed focus on offsite construction be the key?

Offsite construction techniques have

come a long way since the pre-fabricated buildings of the post-war era and today’s precision engineered factory-built homes are constructed to the highest standards with excellent environmental credentials.

Offsite construction currently accounts for less than 10% of total output but as the housing crisis worsens and Brexit threatens to exacerbate the skills shortage, there is a real opportunity to boost its use.

Mark Farmer’s Modernise or Die report into the construction skills shortage, published last year, recommended a focus on offsite manufacturing and

 Homes being built at Liverpool Mutual Homes’ development at Belle Vale

manufacturing and construction than many people

the industrialisation of construction.

“If you buy a new car, you expect it to have been built in a factory to exacting standards, to be delivered on time, to an agreed price and to a

are led to believe and this perception needs to change, starting in the housing market.”

There has been an increased Government focus

per year from eight production lines.

Earlier this year Rosie Toogood, former business development director for Rolls Royce’s Civil Aerospace Business, was appointed as CEO of the

in recent years and more firms are investing in offsite

modular housing business. Nigel Wilson CEO of

manufacturing methods, such as Swan Housing

Legal and General said: “Almost every other industry

so that the investors, developers or building owners

Association and Legal & General (L&G) Modular

has seen radical innovation brought about by digital

hiring construction firms increasingly dictate the

Homes, which have both invested in new factories

technology advancements. And yet we continue to

use of modern methods of delivery and invest

for building modular homes.

build houses the same way that the Victorians did.

predetermined quality,” said Farmer.

“This needs to happen more in construction,

appropriately in the skills agenda to grow this part of the industry.

“There are more similarities between

L&G wants to “do for housing what Henry Ford

“We need more entrants to the sector, new

did for the modern automotive industry” and is

technologies and business models to deliver the

building the capacity to produce up to 3,500 homes

100,000 shortfall of new homes. Just as the car

FIRST FOR SOCIAL LANDLORD Liverpool Mutual Homes’ (LMH) development of 33 two and three-bedroom

built in a controlled

houses in Belle Vale is through to be one the largest modular home schemes

indoor environment and

in the UK from a social housing landlord.

not exposed to the wet

The properties were produced in a factory by Bowsall and craned into place. Ground floors, upper floors and roofs were constructed in sequence before utility supplies were connected and interiors were fitted out.

The £3.5 million project was part funded by the Homes and Communities

winter.

“It has great potential, not just for

Agency and LMH bid for funding via JV North, a consortium of nine other

our tenants but also the

housing associations.

country as a whole. If

“This is the first time we have carried out a scheme building homes offsite and the results are tremendous,” said Steve Coffey, chief executive at

this type of construction method can be rolled out on a large scale, we could speed up the entire housing building process significantly.

“Given the national housing shortage, landlords and developers have a

Liverpool Mutual Homes.

“The quality is second to none as the majority of each home has been

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weather we endured last

duty to look at alternative methods to build homes more efficiently.”

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AUTUMN 2017



FEATURE: OFFSITE CONSTRUCTION as shallow foundations, lightweight construction and acoustic performance, which lend themselves to constrained sites.

“These buildings are high quality and outstanding in terms of performance,” said the report. “Their construction is more environmentally-friendly than traditional construction methods and they are a far cry from their prefabricated predecessors.

“The lack of a single design standard or mass market demand has held back the sector’s growth.

This is a once in a generation opportunity to work collaboratively with investors, developers and policy makers at a time where experts, central and local

 London Mayor Sadiq Khan has been urged to back offsite manufacturing to meet housing demand in the capital

government are all calling for the same thing to happen. The Mayor is ideally placed to respond to the

industry was automated, so the UK’s traditional

which needs a minimum of 50,000 homes a year to

house building sector now needs to step up. We

keep up with demand.

need to build houses faster and more efficiently than ever before. Rosie has a mandate to deliver this.”

L&G has since unveiled its turnkey modular

But the sector must be galvanised to fully

An “innovative approach to delivering new

harness the benefits and one of the biggest setbacks

homes is vital” said Nicky Gavron, chair of the London

to the growth of offsite construction could be an

Assembly Planning Committee but a change of

inadequately trained workforce.

housing prototype for a two-storey, two-bedroom

mindset, collaboration between the construction and

home and expects to deliver its first homes in the first

housing sectors and bold political leadership is needed.

The report’s recommendations include providing

half of 2018.

report’s recommendations and call to action.”

A recent research report from the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) says that offsite construction could revolutionise the construction

“Modular construction is set to revolutionise

clear and strong leadership in raising the awareness

industry and provide a solution to the UK housing

the house building sector bringing new materials

of offsite construction’s potential; working towards

shortage if the sector develops the right skills.

along with methods and processes used in industries

defining and adopting a Manufactured Housing

such as car-making to raise productivity and help to

Design Code, looking at the potential of using TfL-

Offsite Construction’ follows the recommendations

address the UK’s chronic shortfall of new homes,”

owned land to stimulate the offsite manufacturing

set out in the Farmer Review and assesses how the

said Toogood.

sector and setting up a dedicated offsite

adoption of offsite is changing the skills and training

manufacturing-specific procurement framework for

landscape for construction.

While not a panacea, offsite manufacturing will be critical in bridging the gap between the number

‘Faster, Smarter, More Efficient: Building Skills for

“The growth of offsite has seen a blurring of

London.

“Meeting London’s housebuilding target is a

the lines between manufacturing, engineering and

industry can deliver and the level of housing need

huge task and traditional construction techniques will

construction, creating the need for new skills and

that is anticipated in the next 20 years says a

only take us so far. Offsite manufactured housing is

redefining existing ones,” it says.

new report from the London Assembly Planning

an innovative, forward-looking and exciting way to

Committee.

close the gap,” said the report.

of new homes that the traditional construction

“We need to not only train the entrants in a range of new skills but also upskill our existing

‘Designed, sealed, delivered: The contribution

Modern precision-manufactured homes can

workforce. The digitalisation of the construction

of offsite manufactured homes to solving London’s

offer an increased level of consistency and quality

industry and the link that provides to offsite also

housing crisis’ calls upon Mayor Sadiq Khan to give

control with additional benefits in terms of speed of

offers a chance to attract a new cohort of skilled

his support to offsite manufacturing in the capital,

delivery, cost efficiencies and safety on site, as well

workers.”

THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX Estonian developer Kodasema is launching its KODA house to the UK

would provide a cost-effective option to house those on the waiting list

on the BRE’s Innovation Park in Watford.

for affordable accommodation or offer temporary rental apartments for

Already in use across Holland and Estonia the factory-made

young professionals, students and those looking to downsize.”

modular home, which can be erected on site in a day for as little as £150,000, doesn’t require extensive digging or laying foundations and materials can be disassembled and used easily.

The 25m2 building has been designed to allow stacking, with multistorey modules scheduled for release in 2018.

John O’Brien, associate director for construction innovation at the BRE said: “The simple yet effective design could help alleviate the pressures of the housing crisis on local authorities, providing temporary homes or workspaces on empty sites. This trend of short-term use of derelict land, which can be left untouched for years, even during the planning stages, is becoming more common, especially in London. KODA

12

WWW.TIMBERMEDIA.CO.UK

AUTUMN 2017

FEATURE: OFFSITE CONSTRUCTION In a sector characterised by an ageing and migrant

Workers will increasingly need the skills to

such as the Construction Leadership Council, to

dependent workforce, the skills shortage is sure to

move between offsite and onsite environments

drive innovation and create ‘centres of excellence’

worsen as skilled workers retire and Brexit begins to

and so the training for these areas must evolve to

for skills and knowledge.

affect the flow of labour coming into the UK.

meet the changing demand, it says but there are

Future activity, following the development of

significant barriers including a shortage of qualified

standards will include ensuring support is in place

homegrown workforce to drive forward offsite

training providers and assessors and a lack of

for the delivery of training for onsite elements,

construction and how do we make the sector

awareness of available training and qualifications.

working with industry to develop new qualification

So how do we ensure that we have a

attractive and accessible to young people?

Existing training does not include the required

units and standalone knowledge courses and

offsite and some companies are delivering their

linking new standards and qualifications to the

that an industry-wide move towards offsite

own ‘in-house’ training, which leads to non-standard

CITB training grants. As well as supporting the

manufacturing could make a career in the

approaches.

development of bespoke teaching materials for

The London Planning Committee believes

construction sector more attractive to young

In partnership with employers, the CITB will

schools, FE and HE; promoting offsite training to

people. “Being able to offer professional careers in

lead a review of National Occupation Standards

encourage the uptake of standardised courses and

a permanent place of work should help the industry

(NOS) to identify the need for new standards for

funding industry experts to deliver training and

to attract a broader pool of talent – especially

roles that are core to the CITB scope.

assessments.

women and young people,” its report says.

It will also work with the design, engineering

It is clear that there is an appetite for offsite

and manufacturing sectors to apply the standards

manufacturing and great strides are being made in

functions required for successful implementation of

developed in these areas to a construction context,

terms of training and changing attitudes but there

offsite, what skills are needed, the gaps in training

to support key offsite functions, as well as working

is still much to be done if factory-built homes are to

provision and what industry and CITB can do to

with industry to develop a competency framework

become the norm.

address these challenges.

for offsite construction, focusing on attitudes and

The CITB report identifies the different

“We identified the need to understand the specific changes to skills and new skill requirements

behaviours, to embed in training for all functions.

CITB will help to promote career opportunities

at that individual level and really asking that question

in offsite using existing avenues such as Go

– to what extent are they new skills and new roles

Construct and will work alongside other bodies,

 Photo courtesy of Stewart Milne Timber Systems (SMTS), which designs and manufactures a range of timber build systems and has over 40 years’ experience in offsite construction.

versus tweaking or updating and adapting existing skills and roles? And how does that vary across the different functions involved in an offsite build?” said Ben Lever, future skills strategy manager at CITB. The findings of the report provide the CITB and industry with the intelligence to establish what is needed and how that stacks up against existing training provision and qualifications, and to act accordingly said Lever.

The report outlines six key skills areas related to offsite construction: digital design; estimating/ commercial; offsite manufacturing; logistics; site management and integration and onsite placement and assembly.

How to build com

pliant

RAISING THE ROOF The Trussed Rafter Association (TRA) is publishing new roofing guidance, endorsed by the NHBC, to boost housebuilders’ use of offsite components.

A recent NHBC survey of 8,000 new homes sites revealed that about 17% were already using spandrel panels and trussed roof manufacturers report

“We have collaborated with the STA and NHBC to so the standard of installation is as high as possible.

The guide has been developed by the TRA in association with the NHBC and the Structural

volume housebuilders building low-rise housing and apartments.

Timber Association (STA) and will receive further

costs and waste from poor spandrel panel construction by housebuilders.

It provides evidence-based technical best practice on the design, structural

Guidance on building and instal for party walls ling spandrel panels above masonry

ensure the challenges housebuilders face are covered

increasing interest in these offsite components, especially from large and The new guide for masonry-built homes is designed to reduce the risks,

SPANDREL PANELS

Version 2 May 2017

updates following the outcome of further fire testing. The TRA and NHBC will also be providing further updates on gable detailing later this year.

Paul Cribbens, NHBC standards manager, said: “As the housebuilding

requirements, fire and acoustic performance, weather protection and safe

industry moves evermore towards innovative methods of construction, it is

installation of spandrel panels.

encouraging to see the supply chain embracing the challenges and ensuring

“TRA members and NHBC inspectors have shared concerns about the quality of construction in some areas, so it’s vital that housebuilders understand

that products perform as expected. This document represents a first significant step towards standardising this innovative method of construction.”

best practice in design and installation to achieve the best results,” said Jonathan Fellingham, chairman of the TRA.

13

The guide is free to download from the TRA website tra.org.uk

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AUTUMN 2017

FEATURE: RESIDENTIAL MARKET

AT HOME IN THE MARKET Timber frame homes now account for over a quarter of the new-build properties in the UK and that number is continuing to rise as developers look to turn projects around more quickly

By Michelle Gordon

T

imber had somewhat fallen out of fashion

Factory-built homes are also precision engineered,

frustration amongst architects and engineers that

as a building material but in recent years

meaning that they meet consistently high

many clients still think brick and block first rather

it has started to make a comeback driven

standards and have excellent environmental

than being open to new approaches,” said Lellig.

by its excellent environmental credentials,

credentials.

“We need to understand concerns and

Speed of build is a huge driver for growth

versatility and speedy build times.

Figures released by the Structural Timber

Association (STA) last year showed that the market share for new-build timber frame homes

co-develop solutions, where necessary and

said Christiane Lellig, campaign director for

possible,” she said. “Where we are dealing with

Wood for Good.

genuine misperceptions, we will need to provide

The advancement of custom-build plots

evidence in the form of performance data and

had increased to 27.6% – a figure that is expected

throughout England is also contributing to growth,

because numbers can’t overcome emotionally

to have risen to nearer 30% when the STA

she said, as is a lack of bricks and blocks.

rooted ‘prejudice’, we will need to offer physical

“Change is happening faster than ever before

releases its latest data in October.

experience with the timber construction

with the Modernise or Die report leading the

process and the completed timber buildings. In

timber frame and a typical home can be built

way,” said Lellig and there is a growing appetite

short, exposure to successful projects, in-depth

in a matter of weeks, saving money onsite, and

for offsite construction among architects and

discussions with peers using timber solutions etc.”

allowing homes to be sold or rented out sooner,

engineers with an increasing number of leading

giving a quicker return on investment.

developers using offsite methods.

There are many benefits of building with

There are fewer vehicles to site, with quieter

But while use of timber is continuing to grow

There is still some way to go before timber is considered as a mainstream building material but its use in high-profile projects can only boost its

and less hazardous conditions, as well as less

its market share remains relatively small compared

appeal and introduce a whole new audience to the

waste than with other construction methods.

to other building materials and “there is some

benefits of building with wood.



A RIVER RUNS THROUGH IT Development: Aldcliffe Yard Location: Lancaster The scheme located within a conservation area alongside the Lancaster Canal was masterminded by H2O Urban, a joint venture between private property developer Bloc and charity the Canal and River Trust and profits from the development will be reinvested to maintain waterways across Britain for future generations.

The local planning department gave clear specifications about the materials to be used and the footprint of the buildings, to ensure that the new properties remained sympathetic to the local surroundings and they Aldcliffe Yard is an award-winning development of custom-build houses

were built with natural stone walls, timber cladding, slate roofs and timber

and refurbished homes located in a British Waterways conservation area in

sash windows.

H2O gained planning permission for the development’s external design

central Lancaster.

The development on the site of a former British Waterways office and yard includes one detached, two semi-detached and five terraced properties, making it the first terraced custom-build scheme to be delivered Alongside the three and four-bedroom new-build houses, there are six

14

layouts and hand the build project management back to H2O specialists.

The properties were built using timber frame, enabling fast and cost-effective construction and allowing buyers to move internal walls to

in the UK. homes, which were created from heritage canal-side buildings.

and then purchasers bought plots outright and were able design their own

create kitchen-diners or to add or remove ensuite bathrooms, during the design phase.

WWW.TIMBERMEDIA.CO.UK

AUTUMN 2017

NOT ALL OSB IS CREATED EQUAL

CUT IT, DRILL IT, FIX IT. www.mdfosb.com info@mdfosb.com 15

Whatever you do to SMARTPLY FR OSB, it will still maintain it’s CE mark and certification due to the flame retardancy being built into the panel, not applied as a coating or impregnated after manufacture.

WWW.TIMBERMEDIA.CO.UK

AUTUMN 2017

FEATURE: RESIDENTIAL MARKET

GOING GREEN Development: Exemplar, NW Bicester Eco Town Location: North West Bicester, Oxfordshire to generate electricity. This will include freestanding photovoltaic (PV) panels, overlaid PV panels and inset PV tiles, with some garages benefiting from green roofs.

It will also include a range of additional features, aiming to minimise its residents’ impact on the local environment. These will include rainwater harvesting systems to recycle water; home information systems displaying energy, water consumption, and real-time information on local public transport; an electric car club and eco-pub; optional electric car charging points; and high-speed fibre-optic broadband to promote home A2Dominion’s development in North West Bicester is a 393-home project,

working and reduce car journeys.

aiming to deliver the most sustainable living in the UK for its residents and 94 homes were built as part of the first “Exemplar” phase.

BUILD PROCESS AND KEY BENEFITS OF PROJECT

With the homes designed to achieve true zero carbon rating, delivering

The timber frame system was precision engineered offsite, which limits

energy efficient, good-quality affordable housing was crucial to the project’s

defects and means there is less preliminary site preparation, which in turn

success and timber frame was an ideal fit for the priorities of the scheme.

reduces costs. Other benefits included reduced health and safety risks and avoiding weather interruptions.

The first phase was designed with a fabric first approach, complemented

PROJECT BRIEF Stewart Milne Timber Systems was appointed to work with A2Dominion

by renewable technologies, keeping the build fabric central to creating a

and Willmott Dixon, the main contractor, on the project which will be the

sustainable community. The homes will attain Code for Sustainable Homes

only eco town still to adhere to the Government’s original Eco Town Policy

(CSH) Level 5 through excellent heat retention and air tightness, with a 0.15

Planning Statement.

U-value, air tightness of 3 and thermal bridging of 0.04.

Stewart Milne Timber Systems’ role in the project was to provide its

Much of this is achieved through the build fabric, with pre-assembled

Sigma II Build System, with novel C-stud technology, for 94 of the first 393

flat roof modules and insulated floor cassette edges, meaning a pair of semi-

homes, as part of the “Exemplar” phase of the project. Initial infrastructure

detached homes can be weather tight, air tight, secure and fully insulated

work began in April 2014, and construction work on the homes commenced

within 72 hours. Air testing is also conducted prior to first fixing, building in

in the summer of 2014. The first residents moved in to this phase of the

assured performance of the fabric.

Stewart Milne Timber Systems’ ‘fabric first’ approach is a critical element

project in 2015.

The development will feature the UK’s largest domestic solar panel array, with 17,500 square metres mounted across the rooftops of all homes

of achieving high levels of environmental performance, with energy efficiency built into the fabric of the building.

MODERN TWIST Development: The Serpentine Location: Aylesbury all of the boxes and SMTS played a crucial role in the project, from the initial design through to the supply and erection of the closed panel timber build system.

The end result is a sustainable development of homes featuring energy efficient U-values of 0.15 W/m2K in the external walls, 0.15 W/ m2K in the ceilings (pre-insulated cassettes), and 1.4 W/m2K windows, pre-fitted to the external walls.

The experience and expertise of SMTS’ technical and design teams Designed by Make Architects for Thames Valley Housing (TVH), The

was integral to the viability of The Serpentine. It identified design and

Serpentine is a modern interpretation of the traditional Victorian terrace with

structural solutions, which enabled the company to meet the brief

an ‘S’ shaped building, which comprises 94 houses and flats over three floors.

while keeping costs under control. For example, the whole building is

Meeting the highest standards of energy efficiency was important to

segmental, with straight walls, and in each house type all internal walls

TVH, a registered social landlord, as was speed of delivery and a build cost of

are set at right angles to one of the party walls. That allowed SMTS to

less than £60,000 per home.

manufacture all of the floor and ceiling cassettes in its factory on its fully

Stewart Milne Timber Systems’ (SMTS) Sigma II Build System ticked

16

automated lines.

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AUTUMN 2017

ADVERTORIAL

SCOTFRAME CASE STUDY MILLBANK HOUSE, UDNY With a one acre plot of breath taking countryside in Aberdeenshire, Leanne and James Duncan had a very simple brief when they approached Cairnrowan Custom Homes - a stylish, bespoke, energy efficient house.

After reviewing the initial architect designs, Cairnrowan suggested they go to a more innovative, modern and rural sympathetic architect, Annie Kenyon Architects.

A contemporary timber frame house grew to life in only 13 weeks, giving the Duncans a;  309m² home including a 54m² garage  A Val-U-Therm PLUS pre-injected wall panels and roof cassette with a posi-joist panel system floor supplied by Scotframe Timber Engineering Ltd  Achieving A 99% ‘as built’ EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) rating of A(99)  Achieving A 99% ‘as built’ Environmental Impact (CO2) rating of A(99)

 Siberian Larch rain screen cladding home with a seamless thin silicone based pale grey render

 Air tightness of 0.59 ACH (air changes per hour)

 Heat source from a Daikin air source heat pump with combined internal unit

This project was completed within time (allowing the customers to move

 Mechanical heat recovery and ventilation system, Zender Q 350 unit

in two weeks before their wedding) and budget and exceeded the customers’

 Solar PV, 4.8KW of panels fitted to the garage

expectations in terms energy efficiency and airtightness. By using a structural

 Underfloor heating throughout the ground floor combined with a

engineered system Cairnrowan were able to erect the timber frame to a wind and water tight stage within 5 days. This is advantageous when working in

radiator system to the first floor and separate towel rail  High efficiency aluclad NorDan windows and doors which greatly

areas such as Scotland when weather conditions are a huge contributing factor to lost program time in a build project.

reduces maintenance costs and improves lifespan

Fabric First Scotframe manufacture Val-U-Therm PLUS the unique factory injected PU closed panel wall, roof and floor system.

2017 SHORTLISTED Best Eco Home

AIRTIGHTNESS

THERMAL PERFORMANCE

2017 SHORTLISTED Best Timber Frame

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

SPEED OF CONSTRUCTION

www.scotframetimberengineering.co.uk Inverurie Tel: 01467 624440

17

Cumbernauld Tel: 01236 861200

Dundee Tel: 01382 561772

Inverness Tel: 01463 717328

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AUTUMN 2017

FEATURE: CERTIFICATION

PROTECTING FORESTS FOR THE FUTURE

Sustainably managed forests can protect wildlife, local communities and the wider environment from the devastating consequences of deforestation but how can you ensure that the timber you are buying has been responsibly sourced? Michelle Gordon talks to the PEFC and FSC about what to look out for

A

round 129 million hectares of forest – an

timber and paper come from, you could be part of

area almost equivalent in size to South

the problem.”

Africa – have been lost since 1990 with

Sourcing certified material enables you

The only companies that can use a PEFC logo are those that are 3rd party certified and hold a chain of custody certificate or forest management

huge swathes of forest being illegally

to become part of the solution, said Teasdale,

certificate which means they buy their material from

cleared in some areas for conversion to

supporting responsible forestry and reducing the

a sustainable source.

agricultural crops such as palm oil or soy bean.

Deforestation can lead to issues such as

soil erosion and increased flooding and can have

market for products that are the result of damaging forestry practices.

Both organisations have developed systems

devastating consequences for wildlife, local

of forest certification, working with governments

communities and the wider environment.

and local communities to ensure that forests are

“Forests are under threat and disappearing at an alarming rate,” said Rosie Teasdale, executive director of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC),

sustainably managed and that trees are planted to replace those that have been cut down.

They also run product labelling schemes that

which was established in 1993 to promote

enable people to identify responsibly sourced wood,

responsible management of the world’s forests.

paper and other forest products.

“Deforestation accounts for more greenhouse

The PEFC has 30 endorsed schemes around

gas emissions than the global transport sector. In

the world covering 300 million hectares of forests,

areas where systems are not in place to ensure that

with several countries currently working towards

timber is sourced responsibly the damage caused by

having their national forest schemes endorsed.

illegal logging, habitat destruction and expansion of

“We work from a bottom up approach so each

FSC runs a global forest certification system with two key components: forest management and chain of custody. The certification process is

TIMBER PROCUREMENT TIPS Make sure the timber you are using is certified by:  Specifying PEFC/FSC certified materials when placing your order

agricultural land is now reaching a critical stage. We

country has to have a national forest certification

and let your supplier know that you

have already lost half of the world’s natural forests

scheme that has been developed through

need them to make a PEFC/FSC

and this loss is continuing.”

stakeholder engagement,” explained Alun Watkins,

The FSC and international forestry certification scheme the Programme for the Endorsement of

executive director, PEFC UK Ltd. “Each national scheme could be slightly

claim on their sale documents  Sourcing from a certified supplier. Both PEFC and FSC have lists of certified

Forest Certification (PEFC), which was formed in

different because forestry in Finland is different to

1999, are working across the globe to ensure that

forestry in Africa but they still have to meet the core

forests are sustainably managed and protected for

sustainability requirements of forest management

invoice clearly identifies the PEFC/

future generations.

and standard setting etc.

FSC certified products and includes

“Finding a balanced way to both utilise and

“If they meet those requirements it will then

organisations on their websites  Check that the delivery note and/or

the supplier’s PEFC/FSC certificate

protect our forests has become critical,” said

be approved by the PEFC Council and sent to

Teasdale. “Those who buy timber, paper and other

the other PEFC members for a vote and those

forest products could be rewarding damaging

members will look at their scheme and make sure

that it covers the appropriate product

and destructive practices if they do not source

that they are acceptable as we don’t want a weak

categories using online databases

responsibly. Basically, if you don’t know where your

link anywhere.”

18

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code  Check that the certificate is valid and

AUTUMN 2017



Working with nature Sioo:x are leaders in wood protection using silicate technology.

We provide a highly effective proven system to protect wood of all types.

It gives long life and a beautiful natural surface with even colouration and is friendly to people and the environment.

An example is the summerhouse by architect Leo Quarsebo, Sweden.

Made in Sweden

Sioo Wood Protection AB | Tel: +44(0)7788 542859 | E: sioouk@icloud.com | www.sioo.co.uk

Photo courtesy of Richard Burbidge

Online resources to help you specify and build robust and long lasting decking and cladding structures in wood.

Photo courtesy of Silva Timber

Your route to independently accredited materials, accessories, designers and installers.

Environmentally friendly

Photo courtesy of Simpson Strong-Tie

Independent inspection and expert witness services.

5C Flemming Court, Castleford, WF10 5HW  01977 558147  info@tdca.org.uk  www. tdca.org.uk The TDCA is an independent, technical and advisory body for the timber decking and timber cladding industry.

It was established to promote the materials, design and installation practices required to create good quality decks, associated landscape structures and cladding on buildings.

19

WWW.TIMBERMEDIA.CO.UK

AUTUMN 2017

FEATURE: CERTIFICATION

to ensure that everyone in the organisation knows what timber and timber products are acceptable for use. It can also help companies to make and meet Corporate Social Responsibility targets.

The use of timber as a building material is growing in popularity and most organisations are ensuring that they only use certified products  “Those who buy timber, paper and other forest products could be rewarding damaging and destructive practices if they do not source responsibly,” Rosie Teasdale, executive director of the FSC

but Watkins believes that the sector is missing a trick with project certification, which is available for buildings, which have been constructed from sustainable timber.

carried out by independent certification bodies,

A logo will be easy to spot on a piece of

People are clearly starting to get the message

which assess forest managers and forest product

furniture, for example, but is unlikely to be

when it comes to the importance of certification

companies against FSC standards. Each link in the

marked on raw materials for building projects, so

but the total volume of certified forest in the

supply chain is audited.

invoices and delivery notes should be checked for

world only stands at about 11% and there is still a

appropriate certification codes.

long way to go.

“Our vision is to ensure that the world’s forests meet the social, ecological and economic

Both organisations have online databases where

“We can’t rest on our laurels,” said Watkins.

rights and needs of the present generation

you can check the validity of certification numbers

“If everyone wanted certified wood tomorrow

without compromising those of future

and recommend regular checks on suppliers.

there probably wouldn’t be enough to go around

generations and our mission is to promote

“Many timber suppliers will tell you, often in

so we have to keep expanding on that 11% to meet demand.

environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial,

good faith, that their supplies are from ‘sustainable’

and economically viable management of the

or ‘managed’ sources, or from plantations,” said

world’s forests,” explained Teasdale.

Teasdale. “Without an independent certification

get people to sign up to it and specify it we have to

system, there is often no way of verifying this or of

make sure that there is enough timber for them to

product is your assurance that it is made with, or

demonstrating to your clients that you have met

buy, so it is a bit chicken and egg. We have to keep

contains, wood that comes from FSC certified

their expectations in terms of responsible sourcing.”

pushing from the specification side but we also

“The FSC logo on a wood or wood-based

forests or from post-consumer waste.”

Timber procurement policies are recommended

“So the more we sell certification and try and

need to keep pace with demand.”

FOR TIMBER THAT KEEPS OUR FORESTS STRONG,

CHOOSE FSC.

www.fsc.org

PEFC/16-01-01

PEFC: YOUR ASSURANCE OF RESPONSIBLY-SOURCED

TIMBER www.pefc.co.uk PEFC - Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification FSC®F000231

20

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AUTUMN 2017

MOD ULAR HOU SING CNC MACHINING CENTRES FOR HOUSING

Innovative technology for machining solid wood beams, CLT panels, structural insulated panels and prefabricated buildings.

SEE US AT TIMBER EXPO

Birmingham NEC, 10 - 12 October Stand T220

info@biesse.co.uk, +44 (0) 1327 300 366

biesse.com 21

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AUTUMN 2017

PREVIEW: TIMBER EXPO

SAFETY FIRST FOR TIMBER EXPO There will be a focus on addressing safety and quality in buildings when Timber Expo, the UK’s only event dedicated exclusively to timber, returns in October

good health, technical timber, and how designers are working directly with fabricators.

Students from the Emergent Technologies and Design Programme at the Architectural Association are also developing an innovative timber installation, coordinated by TRADA and sponsored by Hanson Plywood. The design derives from extensive research on plywood composite material systems, focused on the integration of doubly curved plywood forms and tensile cables.

There has never been a more important time to learn about building materials and regulations, which is why the show has introduced a series of free CPDs bringing together leading authorities to deliver advice and guidance on key issues including:  Up-to-date advice on fire prevention in all types of buildings  Changes to legislation on safety  Advice and guidance on construction product safety  Your responsibilities in the construction process

S

upported by Confor, Confederation of Timber

and protecting you and your employees

Industries (CTI), Timber Decking and Cladding Association (TDCA), and the Timber Research

which runs the show, said: “In addition to showcasing

the show will cover a wide range of timber

the latest products and innovations across the

applications, from timber frame through to plywood,

timber sector, the Timber Expo will deliver the latest

CLT and timber cladding, while exploring the latest

information on safety and quality in buildings for all in

developments across the industry.

the built environment, from architects, contractors, local

There will be thousands of new products on offer

current climate and only by coming together, through

their wares, including fastenings and fixings provider,

shared knowledge and learning, will we be able to tackle

Schmid Scrauben Hainfield; manufacturer, Intumescent

the issues surrounding building safety head on.” the largest gathering of the UK’s built environment

Sawmill, Latvia, which will showcase the newest form

community, which brings together nine specialist shows

of sawmilling technology at the show; Gaujas Koks Ltd,

under one roof.

Consisting of Build Show, Civils Expo, Plant &

two major sawmills with a total output of 300,000m3 of

Machinery Live, Energy 2017, Smart Buildings 2017,

finished products and Steico will showcase its European

Surface & Materials Show (featuring Kitchens &

Technical Approval-awarded product SteicoFloc, a high-

Bathrooms Live), HVAC 2017 and Grand Designs Live,

quality air-injected cellulose insulation, manufactured

as well as Timber Expo, UK Construction Week caters

from recycled paper.

for the entire spectrum of the industry.

In addition to new products on offer, there is

Each show provides exhibitors with the opportunity

also plenty of scope to learn and pick up tips. This

to network alongside decision makers and purchasers

year, in collaboration with TRADA, the leading

while showcasing their services and products to

authority dedicated to informing best practice design,

thousands of visitors and there is a stellar line up

specification and use of wood and timber in the built

of speakers secured including Urban Splash, NHS,

environment, the Timber Focus Theatre will welcome

Heathrow, Cast Consultancy, Kier and Network Rail.

speakers onto the stage to discuss how the industry is pushing the boundaries on the use of wood, wood for

22

Timber Expo is part of UK Construction Week,

distributor of plywood and packing, Orlimex; Vudlande

which has 25 years of CLT manufacturing and operates

 www.timber-expo.co.uk  www.ukconstructionweek.com

housing authorities, and developers. This is crucial in the

and exhibitors from across Europe will be showing

Systems, a leader in fire containment technology; Czech

TIMBER EXPO 10–12 October 2017 Birmingham NEC

Nathan Garnett, event director at Media 10,

and Development Association (TRADA),

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AUTUMN 2017

Timber Expo will deliver the latest information on safety and quality in buildings for all in the built environment, from architects, contractors, local housing authorities, and developers.

 Steico showcases SteicoFloc, a high-quality air-injected cellulose insulation, manufactured from recycled paper.

Nathan Garnett

the industry’s leading issues and trends, including

including architect and TV star George Clarke,

moving towards a new age of innovation

the housing shortage, diversity, how to tackle

broadcaster Steph McGovern and architecture

and change with topics such as offsite

the skills crisis, building in a pre- and post-Brexit

critic Tom Dyckhoff, while the individual shows

construction, modular and BIM driving so many

Britain, and adopting modern methods of

will explore sector-specific issues and solutions.

conversations. This will be our biggest event

construction.

“The UK’s construction industry is more

to date, and we’re looking forward to bringing

Commanding audiences of more than

topical than ever,” said Garnett. “Not only

the industry together to debate, learn and do

300, the panel discussions will be anchored by

is it at the forefront of political debate and

business, as well as showcase a diverse range of

leading journalists and industry commentators

public opinion, it’s also clear that we’re

products and services.”



THE BUILD SHOW The largest of the shows within UK Construction Week is the Build Show, which is aimed at tradespeople, housebuilders and contractors and look forward to bringing everyone together

member for homes at Bristol City Council,

for what is set to be the most significant show

Edward Rowberry, chief executive of Bristol

yet.”

and Bath Regional Capital CIC, and Jamie Kerr, Safety, quality and fire prevention in

buildings has become a topic for national

A new and improved layout for 2017 will

debate, since the tragic fire at Grenfell Tower

feature additional zones and theatres, including

and the Build Show is offering free one-hour

health and safety, windows & doors, roofing

workshops from industry experts covering

& insulation, tools, as well as the Builders

the latest regulation on building materials and

Merchants Federation Pavilion, Offsite Theatre

advice on fire prevention.

in association with the Modular and Portable

In addition to leading industry debate and discussion, The Build Show will also focus on educational opportunities for the sector with

Building Association, and the BIM Prospects Theatre delivered by BRE. Nathan Garnett, event director at Media

a ‘How to Theatre’ sponsored by Trimaco, that

10, said: “The Build Show 2017 comes at a

“Since launching three years ago, The Build

will feature product demonstrations and advice

crucial time when there are many questions

Show has managed to carve out a reputation

for SMEs.

in people’s minds over building safety, quality

as one of the largest and most popular trade

An Education Hub will offer CPDs in

and regulation. The Build Show can provide

events in the country,” said Jamie Govier,

partnership with BSI and there will be a

the industry with a much-needed space to

managing director of Easy-Trim Roofing &

dedicated hub to provide free education,

network, develop and learn. We aim to bring

Construction Products Ltd, which has just

guidance and advice on building safety and

people together from across construction

signed a four-year deal as headline sponsor of

quality.

so they can benefit from the new solutions

the event.

Other new features for 2017 include a

and products on offer that will enhance their

Regional Development Hub, which will explore

businesses. We can already tell that this

the latest products and innovation in the

development opportunities in the Northern

will be our busiest show to date and we’re

construction sector, and the opportunity to

Powerhouse, Midlands Engine, and major cities

committed to making it the best platform for

meet with leaders in the built environment.

across the UK. Speakers already confirmed to

collaboration, innovation and education in the

We’re proud to be supporting The Build Show

appear include Pat Smith, councillor & cabinet

built environment.”

“Its popularity is based on showcasing

24

managing director of HS2 Growth Partnership.

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AUTUMN 2017

ADVERTORIAL

AMERICAN SOFTWOODS PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE ITS PARTICIPATION ONCE AGAIN AT TIMBER EXPO American Softwoods (AMSO), the promotional partnership formed by three major U.S. softwood trade associations, has announced its participation at Timber Expo, which will be held at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham from October 10 to 12 2017.

AMSO’s participation is aimed at encouraging

“We are particularly keen to promote the

participating softwood exporters to interact

the use of American softwoods for both

use of treated Southern Yellow Pine (SYP) for

directly with decision-makers in the wood

internal and external projects and increasing

outdoor use, especially for decking, gazebos

industry and further promote the strength,

awareness of its commercially available species.

and pergolas. Treated SYP is already well known

flexibility, versatility and beauty of American

The announcement follows an encouraging

in the UK where it has a loyal and enthusiastic

softwoods. The participating companies

increase in sales of American softwood lumber

following. We would like to translate this

include United Forst Products, BCH Timber, LB

to the European Union of $13.5 million for the

success to the rest of the European Union,

Timber, Almond Lumber, Boise Cascade and

first six months of 2017, achieved despite the

which represents a significant potential market

Gulf Trading.

continued strength of the US Dollar.

for treated SYP and we are very keen to tap

“American softwoods have been exported

into the opportunities it has to offer through

for almost 200 years, and it is our role to

the United States Department of Agriculture

our participation at Timber Expo and next year

make sure the industry is fully aware of the

(USDA), the total value of American softwood

at Carrefour Internationale du Bois.”

advantages, opportunities and benefits of

According to the latest data released by

At Timber Expo, the American Softwoods

species such as Southern Yellow Pine, Douglas

to June 2017 grew to $13.5 million from $13

pavilion will showcase the strength and variety

fir, Hemlock and Eastern White Pine in a wide

million in the same period in 2016. In terms of

of the different U.S. softwood species in

range of applications, both commercial and

species, Southern Yellow Pine accounted for

addition to distributing technical publications

domestic. Owing to its sustainability, durability,

45 percent of the total value of U.S. softwood

on the applications of American softwoods.

and beauty, interest in and demand for timber

lumber exports to the European Union.

The show will provide a platform for the

across the globe is increasing.”

lumber exports to India for the period of January

“I only use Southern Yellow Pine for our decking” “I’ve built the success of my company on only using Southern Yellow Pine.

It’s more beautiful, harder and takes preservative more readily.

No wonder it’s America’s favourite.”

Chris Lowe, Managing Director, The Manchester Deck Company

For Chris’ top ten tips on decking, visit SouthernPineGlobal.com/decking

25

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AUTUMN 2017

THE UK’S ONLY TIMBER EVENT

WHY ATTEND? Source hundreds of new timber products

Network with the entire timber supply chain

Attend free CPD workshops on building safety & fire prevention

Learn about the latest trends & regulation on the market

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AUTUMN 2017

NEW FOR 2017 DEDICATED OFFSITE ZONE

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AUTUMN 2017

PREVIEW: TIMBER EXPO One of UK Construction Week’s main aims

A number of new, specialist awards will also

International Casino with exclusive discounts for

is to act as a showcase for innovation in the

feature at this year’s event. These include: Low

exhibitors and visitors, a dodgeball tournament

industry, whether it’s new ways of working,

Carbon Vehicles Awards, BIM Awards, Offsite

and the return of the popular beer and ale

sustainable products or evolving technologies.

Awards and the WAN Transport, Concrete in

festival.

The Innovation Trail will bring visitors the

Architecture and Adaptive Reuse Awards. The

latest products, services and innovations

UK’s best companies in the industry will also be

by organisations including The Chartered

that are changing the way we build and have

recognised at the Construction Enquirer Awards

Institute of Building (CIOB), Royal Institute of

never previously been showcased in the UK.

on the opening night of the show.

British Architects (RIBA), Construction Products

Companies can apply for their product to feature on the Innovation Trail by visiting the website.

Running into the evening, entertainment will include a casino night at the Genting

UK Construction Week 2017 is supported

Association (CPA) and Builders Merchants Federation (BMF).



TIMBER FOCUS THEATRE The Timber Focus Theatre organised by TRADA will host a series of debates on the issues affecting the sector and will act as a showcase for outstanding timber buildings timber is to provide solutions to the challenge of building enough homes in the right locations.

This session also explores timber’s strengths and where there are areas for improvement.

12th October 11am – 1pm • Wood for good health We all instinctively feel that wood creates a relaxing and comfortable environment for both work, study and relaxation. But what are the

10th October

11th October

11am – 1pm • Stretching wood

11am – 1pm • Simplifying the complicated

evidence to support the claims? Three speakers

What you can do with wood is changing all of

With wood pushing so many boundaries it’s a

share their understanding in this relatively new

the time, thanks to a wide range of innovative

challenge to ensure that practical, authoritative

but important area and its consequences for

thinking and action by designers, researchers

guidance is produced to enable all practitioners

wood.

and suppliers. TRADA has picked three topics

and clients to benefit from all that wood can

2pm – 4pm • Don’t just design it – make it

including designs for digital manufacturing by

offer. Speakers including Andrew Lawrence,

As the digital age progresses it provides

Jon Shanks of Buro Happold and, following

director at Arup, provide hands on specification

architects and engineers with the possibility

last year, a further look at pioneering research

guidance and advice on: CLT and standardising

of going much further than just design. By

into the dynamics of tall timber buildings.

structural timber (hardwood and softwood)

partnering with a good fabricator you can

specification. There is also a masterclass in how

effectively be the one to make the end

2pm – 4pm • Funky wood

to design the Eiffel Tower in timber by Simon

product by developing the manufacturing

Every year, TRADA selects some

Smith of Smith & Wallwork.

code and timber is the best material to do this.

methods of measuring this? And what is the

extraordinary case studies to demonstrate

Experienced designers in this field from the

the versatility and beauty of wood. This year

2pm – 4pm • A timber bullet to ‘fix our broken

Architectural Association and Ralph Parker,

the buildings include Maggie’s at the Robert

housing market’?

architect behind ‘Slipstream’, Europe’s longest

Parfett by Foster & Partners and drmm’s

Speakers including David Birkbeck, CEO at

sculpture, share what is possible for those that

Hastings Pier.

Design For Homes, look at how well poised

dare to step out.

See The Affordable Aluminium Clad Timber Window System at Timber Expo

Envirograf® branded coatings have been in the vanguard of the fire prevention industry for 26 years, epitomising the brand’s ethos of providing highly-effective and up to date fire protection coatings and related products, as demanded by its discerning customers.

New Envirograf® initiatives involving emerging technologies are opening up fresh opportunities for the business, allowing it to enhance its long established reputation for high-quality products which are kind to both the environment and applicators. Coatings are an important part of the ever expanding Envirograf portfolio of innovative, high-quality passive fire protection products at the cutting edge of the industry. The Envirograf® brand is committed to the continuous research and development in order to provide advanced solutions tailored to the specific needs of the market.

Who makes the Envirograf® brand? It’s a British company – Intumescent Systems Ltd.

28

Joinery manufacturers and fabricators looking for a low cost, aluminium clad timber window system, should visit the AluWood Windows stand, T438 at Timber Expo, part of UK Construction Week from 10-12 October.

AluWood’s aluminium clad timber window and door system is easy-to-manufacture and it offers the strength of aluminium on the outside and warmth of timber on the inside. The flush casement system can be top or side hung, as well as fully reversible. With the durability of aluminium on the outside and the insulating benefits of timber on the inside, the system is a very popular choice for self-builders and commercial projects such as hotels or offices.

For more information visit our website at www.aluwoodwindows.co.uk

WWW.TIMBERMEDIA.CO.UK

AUTUMN 2017

SEE US AT

STAND T430

29

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AUTUMN 2017

PREVIEW: TIMBER EXPO

THE YEAR’S MUST-VISIT TIMBER CONSTRUCTION EVENT PROMISES MORE THAN EVER If there’s one event that’s a priority in the calendar of any built environment professional specialising in wood, it’s Timber Expo. This year, the dates to mark up in the diary are Tuesday 10th, Wednesday 11th and Thursday 12th October - running from 10am to 5pm at the Birmingham NEC.

Timber Expo is the country’s only specialist

TRADA, the leading authority dedicated to

supported by the Modular and Portable Building

event dedicated to timber. And there’s a huge

informing best-practice design, specification and

Association (MPBA) and the Structural Timber

optimism in the sector, with a great many projects

use of wood and timber in the built environment,

Association (STA).

underway UK-wide which feature timber as a

has collaborated on the Timber Focus Theatre.

pivotal part of their plans. All of timber’s governing

Here, speakers including Zaha Hadid Architects,

bodies and associations will be represented at

drMM, Arup, Pier Architects and Design for

the exhibition including Confor, Confederation

Homes will reveal how the boundaries of what is

innovative products and services, visitors can

of Timber Industries (CTI), Timber Decking and

done with wood are being stretched.

attend an exciting array of debates, seminars and

Cladding Association (TDCA), and the Timber

Students from the Emergent Technologies

WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING? In between exploring the industry’s most

specialist building safety workshops hosted at six

and Design Programme at the Architectural

hubs and the UKCW main stage. The workshops,

Association are also developing an innovative

all of which are free and CPD-certified, run on

show including fastenings and fixings provider,

timber installation, co-ordinated by TRADA and

all three exhibition days, but will book up fast, so

Schmid Scrauben Hainfield; manufacturer,

sponsored by Hanson Plywood. The design

visitors are advised to register as soon as possible.

Intumescent Systems, a leader in fire containment

derives from extensive research on plywood

technology; Czech distributor of plywood and

composite material systems, focused on the

including Health and Safety, Windows & Doors,

packing, Orlimex; Latvian sawmill, Vudlande

integration of doubly curved plywood forms and

Roofing & Insulation, and Tools, plus the Builders

Sawmill, which will showcase the newest form

tensile cables. The design is a development from

Merchants Federation Pavilion, Offsite Theatre

of sawmilling technology at the show, and

an initial understanding of ‘tensegrity’ (or floating

and the BIM Prospects Theatre delivered by BRE.

Gaujas Koks Ltd, which has 25 years of CLT

compression) systems and departs from a pure

manufacturing and will operate two major

tensegrity through a three-dimensional structure,

– the Ministry of Building and Innovation.

sawmills with a total output of 300,000m3 of

where doubly-curved plywood members coexist

It includes the first ever Further and Higher

finished products. This top quality product is not

in equilibrium.

Education courses in home construction;

Research and Development Association (TRADA).

Exhibitors from across Europe will be at the

one to be missed.

Attending this October might just be more

This year there are extra zones and theatres,

George Clarke will be launching MOBI

a regional roll-out of inspiring, innovative

important than ever before. The UK housing

and creative construction hubs. George

developments throughout the industry, plus

shortage and simultaneous skills shortage are

will be chairing debates on innovation

products and innovations from around the

conflicting challenges in need of well-through-

and collaboration, sure to get you thinking

world. The entire reach of timber applications

through solutions; offsite construction is growing

differently at a time when industry challenges

will feature, from timber frame through to

rapidly and features heavily in this year’s UK

require a disruption to the status quo.

plywood, glulam and timber cladding, and

Construction Week; it’s the future of the way

include sawmills, merchants, SIPs, CLT, fixings

we build, and visitors will find more exhibitors

To book your free tickets and guarantee a space

and fastenings, doors and windows, mouldings,

focusing on offsite and modular construction

at your preferred seminars and workshops, visit

skirtings and flooring.

than any other area. This part of the event is

www.timber-expo.co.uk.

The show will explore the latest

30

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AUTUMN 2017

FOR WEBSITE AND MAGAZINE ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITIES CONTACT TERRY HANLON  01925 270093 Advertising space

Cost per insertion

Size

Period

Standard

Premium

Double page spread

£2,950

1 Leaderboard

3 months

N/A

£970

Full page (portrait)

£1,595

6 months

N/A

£1,850

Half page (portrait)

£875

Annual

N/A

£3,240

Half page (landscape)

£875

2 Leaderboard

3 months

N/A

£970

6 months

N/A

£1,850

Third page (landscape)

£655

Annual

N/A

£3,240

Quarter page (portrait)

£575

3 months

£520

£800

6 months

£975

£1,500

Annual

£1,690

£2,600

3 months

£450

£675

6 months

£675

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Annual

£1,100

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3 months

£325

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6 months

£585

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Annual

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Quarter page (landscape)

£575

Frequency: Quarterly Series discount: 2 issues – 5% 4 issues – 10% • 6 issues – 15%

Cost

Outside back cover

£2150

Inside front cover

£1995

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£1895

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AUTUMN 2017

PREVIEW: TIMBER EXPO

OFFSITE CONSTRUCTION With offsite construction methods becoming increasingly popular it

The theme is being supported by the Modular and Portable

seems inevitable that the future of the building industry will include a

Building Association (MPBA) and Structural Timber Association (STA) –

significant element of prefabrication, offsite assembly, volumetric modular

organisations heavily involved in promoting the benefits and advantages

building and automation.

of offsite and volumetric modular construction.

This year’s event will include a dedicated Offsite Theatre, and there is

“Timber Expo 2017 represents a massive opportunity for the MPBA to educate the wider industry in the significant advantages of volumetric

a special offsite construction category at the exhibition awards.

modular construction,” said Jackie Maginnis, CEO of MPBA. There are more exhibitors specialising in this area of construction at the show than any other, including Wernick Group, Portakabin, GTX Containex, Tufeco and Modularize. It’s also likely that many of the breakout products to be found on the Innovation Trail will be aimed at this fastdeveloping area of construction Timber Expo will seek to educate and inform visitors to the show on the key design and build considerations, ongoing and future challenges and the quality of products and components.

Must-attend seminars and talks will be given on volumetric construction, with several keynote speeches concerning the residential sector, plus insights into the training and skills shortages faced by the housebuilding industry.

For all Timber Construction magazine and online advertising enquiries contact Terry Hanlon on  01925 270093

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Euroclass B fire retardant treated cladding. Colours available.

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AUTUMN 2017

FEATURE: INSULATION

KEEPING THE RAIN OUT – BEST SITE PRACTICE FOR TIMBER FRAME BUILDINGS Robin Lancashire, senior timber frame consultant at Exova BM TRADA, offers guidance on best practice for party wall thermal bypass when building with timber frame

I

t has long been recognised that when building with timber frame, energy performance can be achieved primarily through the external structure, using a secure envelope. Historically, party wall heat loss was not considered in energy-use calculations. However, building regulations now state that it is only permissible to ignore heat loss

through party walls and declare it to have a heat loss factor (U-value) of 0.00W/m2K heat loss if the cavity is fully filled with insulation and has effective cavity edge sealing.

The result is that, to comply with difficult to achieve and expensive thermal performance regulations, many party wall cavities in timber frame buildings are now filled with mineral wool.

Before ‘party wall thermal bypass’ was identified as a phenomenon, open panel timber frames were erected over a number of weeks, often getting a little damp in the process, thanks to the British weather. The roof covering would then go on and the timber frame would begin to dry again, because it was well ventilated and any moisture absorbed into the timber frame materials was given time to escape. Only then did the insulation, polythene vapour control layer and linings get installed in a dry environment.

The timber would stay dry and remain dry to deliver a good service life.

These days, in order to meet current thermal performance requirements, the trend is to install party wall insulation during the timber frame erection process. A sheathed party wall leaf is put up, it has mineral wool fixed to its face and then the adjacent party wall leaf is erected next to it, sandwiching the mineral wool in place. While this is

 Remove and replace non-combustible boards

an effective way of negating party wall thermal bypass, extra care must

On large sites where a lot of timber frame construction is ongoing, it

be taken onsite to ensure that the mineral wool is not exposed to rain –

is now common for non-combustible boards to be installed to provide

particularly with our typical British climate.

both site fire resistance and racking resistance. However, these may

Fortunately, with our tips for good practice onsite, this problem can

need to be removed and replaced board by board to allow access to the

be avoided:

cavity at the appropriate time.

 Insulate when building is weather-tight

 Utilise effective perimeter edge sealing

First and foremost, any method of insulation needs to be conducted

effective perimeter edge sealing. Edge sealing of the party wall cavity

below 20%. There are two main ways in which this can be achieved.

can be achieved in a number of ways; however, for timber frame

The first being coordination of installation of insulation and fixing of

construction it is normally achieved with the use of flexible cavity

the sheathing boards, and the second being use of injected or blown

barriers and lapping of breather membranes over the end of the party

fibre insulation.

wall cavity.

 Plan the location of OSB with insulation in mind

And finally, to reduce heat loss from the party wall cavity, consider

once the building is weather tight and timber moisture content is

For more detailed guidance, Exova BM TRADA’s popular book ‘Timber

Many party walls have OSB sheathing installed on both leafs, but not

Frame Construction (5th edition)’, discusses the issue of party thermal wall

all of it is required structurally. Using OSB only where it is required

bypass and the potential risks involved, and looks at alternative methods.

structurally – and planning its location with insulation in mind – will

This is a must read for those considering building with timber frame,

allow easier access to the party wall cavity, so that the insulation can

offering advice and best practice for the entire build process.

be installed once a weathertight shell is achieved.  Consider blown fibre insulation

Exova BM TRADA provides independent certification, inspection, technical

and training services.

33

Blown fibre insulation may offer solutions to otherwise inaccessible areas.

WWW.TIMBERMEDIA.CO.UK

AUTUMN 2017

PRODUCTS IN PRACTICE

Story Homes chooses Roofshield to endorse quality and excellence CONDENSATION CONTROL

Award winning property developer Story Homes has chosen Roofshield, the unique vapour and air permeable pitched roof underlay as a key product in their strategy for continuous improvement in the quality of build. The developer’s passion for quality and excellence has enabled Story Homes to become recognised for building aspirational, modern, high specification homes. In 2017-18, Story Homes hopes to sell more than 1000 homes across three regions. With expansion plans to build 700 houses in Cumbria, South West Scotland, Lancashire and the North of England, all sites from the beginning of 2017 will be constructed using Roofshield from the A. Proctor Group.

An important area which Story Homes wanted to improve was the ventilation of their cold roof spaces, particularly given the complexity of the roof designs on their 4/5-bedroom house types. Following initial meetings between the A. Proctor Group’s technical team and the developer’s design team, Roofshield was selected. It’s high performance air permeability means that the roof space has five times more air changes than using traditional eaves/ridge ventilation. In line with guidelines and a statement issued by the NHBC, independently certified air and vapour permeable underlays can be used without additional ridge ventilation in cold roofs. The use of Roofshield vapour and air permeable membrane will lead to savings in labour and material costs, and avoid the risk of ventilation being blocked by insulation or household storage.

As we look to create buildings which are better insulated, and more energy efficient, taking the management of moisture into account in the design process becomes more critical. Roofshield pitched roof underlay, which is both air and vapour permeable, was chosen for the roof because it has an extremely high degree of vapour permeability, as well as air permeability, so will still perform in conditions in which airtight alternatives will not. The A. Proctor Group developed Roofshield 21 years ago in response to problems caused by the requirements of the UK’s demand for cold-pitched roof construction, and the drive towards ever increasing thermal performance requirements. Today, trusted by architects, developers and contractors, the Roofshield brand is synonymous with the highest quality, providing a pitched roof underlay, which is both air and vapour permeable.

View more Case Studies on our website... www.proctorgroup.com  @proctorgroup

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TECHNOLOGY YOU CAN RELY ON FROM A BRAND YOU CAN TRUST

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AUTUMN 2017

ADVERTORIAL

PUSHING THE ENVELOPE FOR

Thermal Performance

Andy Mitchell from Pavatex woodfibre insulation supplier, NBT, discusses the benefits of woodfibre insulation and why it’s moving beyond the specialist timber and ‘eco’ construction market and into the mainstream.

Amongst the many timber products available to specifiers, woodfibre insulation like Pavatex is a material with extraordinary potential. Manufactured from the offcuts of timber grown in sustainably managed forests, Pavatex woodfibre insulation locks up 1-1.2 tonnes of carbon for a design life of 60-100+ years for every tonne of material produced; a calculation that includes the CO2 emissions associated with the manufacturing process and transportation.

All of this makes a compelling case for environmental projects, Passivhaus builds and timber construction.

Indeed, the Structural Timber Association has recently advised that only ‘breathable’ insulation, such as Pavatex woodfibre, should be used for projects of solid wood construction, such as CLT. Despite its many environmental benefits, however, it would be a mistake to think that ‘eco-friendly’ is woodfibre insulation’s only USP. Far from it. In fact, it’s the performance, ease of use and installed cost benefits of woodfibre insulation that are really making specifiers sit up and take notice of Pavatex, supporting a transition from niche solution to mainstream option.

A natural insulator, Pavatex not only delivers high levels of thermal performance, but it is lightweight, breathable, offers excellent acoustic management properties and has good levels of fire resistance. And because woodfibre insulation is 100% renewable and recyclable, there are never any question marks about security of supply for the product or materials needed in its manufacture.

It is a common mistake to think woodfibre is a more costly insulation solution due to its sustainable credentials. However, the unique way in which woodfibre is deployed as a wrap around the building envelope means that thermal performance is significantly enhanced in comparison to conventional insulation materials, making it directly comparable in cost too.

POTENTIAL FOR GROWTH Woodfibre insulation currently represents a very small segment of the UK insulation sector. However, construction practices in many European countries, where woodfibre is increasingly used as a preferred alternative to conventional insulation, suggests that specification levels are set to rise.

The number of contractors we currently train to ensure that they can install Pavatex correctly on site without waste or overspecification also supports the view that there is a strong UK appetite for woodfibre insulation as part of a culture of embracing MMC.

Part L building regulations have introduced increasingly demanding U-value requirements alongside measures to reduce energy consumption but, as more than 50% of properties fail to deliver their designed U-values due to poor thermal detailing, these intended improvements are failing to deliver the energy efficiency benefits required. Consequently, inefficient homes and thermally poor buildings are not quite such an historic issue as we might expect.

When we consider that 66% of the average UK home’s energy consumption is space heating and 65% of heat loss is through external walls, the roof and air leakage, it’s clear that improvements need to be made in the way we specify and construct the building envelope. Only then can we genuinely improve thermal performance, reduce heating bills and deliver enhanced comfort with the insulated fabric performing to its ‘as designed’ values and woodfibre insulation products like Pavatex provide an ideal solution.

IMPROVING COMFORT & PERFORMANCE In the same way that old fashioned anoraks appeared to do a good job of keeping us dry in the rain until breathable Gortex-style fabrics were invented, it’s hard to imagine what real building comfort feels like until you’ve actually experienced it.

By allowing moisture to escape and preventing the internal temperature from becoming excessive during summer months of warmer weather, Pavatex insulation provides a more comfortable indoor environment all year round, as well as preventing heat loss during the winter.

Alongside its thermal performance and breathability benefits, Pavatex insulation also has excellent noise absorption properties. This is particularly useful in multi-occupancy buildings such as apartment blocks, student living and hotels, where lightweight timber or steel frame structures are far more prone to noise issues.

Pavatex’s advantages as a natural acoustic barrier mean that specifiers can reduce both airborne and impact noise as part of the insulated wall build up, reducing the costs associated with additional acoustic baffling. Moreover, Pavatex woodfibre insulation is suitable for both conventional builds and modular, offsite techniques, which are increasingly used for hotel and student projects.

COMPELLING BENEFITS As we continue to address the issues of climate change and rising energy costs it’s clear that more attention needs to be placed on the role of increased thermal efficiency in the building fabric to prevent wasted energy through heat loss and air leakage.

Pavatex is the ideal solution for achieving this for lightweight construction projects, such as timber and steel frame, delivering excellent levels of comfort, acoustic and overheating protection, while providing a failsafe solution to the risk of moisture becoming trapped in the building fabric... and all at a reduced installed cost.

For more information about Pavatex or to enquire about CPDs or installation training, visit www.natural-building.co.uk

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AUTUMN 2017

FEATURE: FIRE PROTECTION

TURNING UP THE HEAT ON THE PERFORMANCE OF WOOD IN A FIRE Timber is an increasingly popular building material and, as is the case with all construction technologies, as its use grows there has been the need to effectively communicate its fire protection credentials to construction professionals. Gordon Ewbank, technical director at the Wood Protection Association, looks at how flame-retardant treatments enhance the fire performance of wood and wood-based panel products

I

n the critical early stages of a fire, it is the reaction to fire properties

These are:

of the various materials and substrates exposed that are vital i.e.

1. A flame-retardant formulation product approval scheme

ignitability, heat, smoke, burning particle release. From a Building

2. A treatment process quality assurance scheme called ‘WPA Benchmark FR.’

Regulations perspective, this imposes a requirement for the internal linings to adequately resist spread of flame over their surface and have,

if ignited, a rate of heat release or fire growth, which is reasonable in the circumstances.

The product approval scheme involves an in-depth review of fire test data on particular flame retardant formulations by an independent panel of experts.

The ‘WPA Benchmark FR‘ scheme includes an independent audit and

Once a fire is more developed, then containment becomes the top

quality assurance check on companies applying these formulations or

priority in design with the use of compartmentation a common strategy. At

building them in at the time of panel manufacture. The WPA also publishes

this stage, it is the fire resistance ratings of building elements such as walls,

a concise specifiers checklist and full flame-retardant technical manual for

floors and fire doors that then becomes critical.

timber flame retardants to help designers, contractors and building control to ensure they get the flame-retardant performance required.

WOOD IS A LONG-ESTABLISHED CONSTRUCTION MATERIAL The performance of wood in a fire is well understood, for instance

More information and the technical manual can be downloaded at the WPA website www.wood-protection.org

we know untreated softwood will typically burn approximately 19mm on each exposed face in 30 minutes. Rigorous testing regimes such as those required to meet the ‘Euroclass’ reaction to fire standard (BS EN13501) have added to this understanding.

FLAME RETARDANT TREATMENTS Flame retardants work by making wood more difficult to ignite and by slowing the rate at which a fire can develop. This improves its performance and can improve its reaction to fire rating from a typical Euroclass D rating

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to either Euroclass C (limited lateral spread of flame, similar to a BS476 class 1 rating) or B (very limited lateral spread of flame, similar to BS476 class 0).

There are two tried and tested ways that flame-retardant treatments can be used effectively on wood-based materials: 1. The surface treatment or impregnation of finished products under factory-controlled conditions that are independently quality assured 2. The incorporation of an appropriate flame retardant as an integral part of the product manufacture (eg. FR MDF, OSB or plywood).

A third method, using brush or spray application onsite is not recommended. This is because products used for surface treatment depend on correct application rates and/or film thicknesses being achieved and can only be reliably achieved by application under factory-controlled conditions.

Fire performance can only be assured when application is through

SPECIALLY MIXED TO ANY RAL OR NCS COLOUR

an independent certification and accreditation scheme for installers. You should always ensure this will be provided.

FLAME RETARDANT PRODUCT AND PROCESS QUALITY ASSURANCE The Wood Protection Association (WPA) operates two complementary, independent quality schemes to verify that flame-retardant treated wood

CUSTOM COLOURS: Highest quality colour and protection for wood

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MICROPOROUS

has been treated/manufactured appropriately for its end use.

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AUTUMN 2017

Protection from the elements Timber preservation • Fire retardants • Decorative and protective coatings

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AUTUMN 2017

Center Parcs specifies JB Shingles and Shakes for luxury treehouses Four luxury treehouses at Center Parcs, Elveden Forest in Suffolk have welcomed their first guests following completion using JB Western Red Cedar Shingles and Shakes from leading roof systems manufacturer Marley Eternit.

UNMISSABLE! THE NATIONAL PAINTING AND DECORATING SHOW This year’s National Painting and Decorating Show (RICOH ARENA, COVENTRY, 28th and 29th NOVEMBER) is a must-see! The biggest and best yet, it is your opportunity to see the latest products, proven best sellers, preparation tips and finishing techniques that will be making the news in 2018 and beyond.

Lookout for the latest colours, materials and textures – as well as the best tools to get every job done quickly and profitably.

In addition to JB Cedar Shingles, the project also used Marley Eternit’s ShingleFix, which uses specially designed stainless steel staples to fix the shingles instead of using the traditional nail, reducing the installation time of the project - by up to 50% on larger builds.

Big discounts The major manufacturers use the show to bring new products to market, while stockists tempt visitors with big discounts, and suppliers pack their stands with extensive selections of tools, ancillaries and workday essentials.

To find out more about using JB Shingles from Marley Eternit, visit: www.marleyeternit.co.uk/shingles.

For more information visit www.paintshow.co.uk

SterlingOSB StrongFix - for heavyweight fixtures and fittings in dry lining applications from Norbord The new SterlingOSB StrongFix panel has been designed to strengthen and provide secure anchorage areas in metal C-stud dry lining applications, for fixtures and fittings up to 400kg - such as cabinets, radiators, wash basins and railings.

RCM to exhibit at Timber Expo, Stand T230 RCM are excited to be exhibiting at Timber Expo for the first time this year.

The event, which forms part of UK Construction Week 2017, will allow RCM to showcase its building boards and facades ideally suited to timber frame constructions.

Simple to fit, SterlingOSB StrongFix is precision-engineered to fit metal C-stud walls with 600mm centres. A continuous recess down one side allows quick installation and ensures a seamless finish, ready for hanging plasterboard without adding extra thickness to the stud wall.

Offering complete through-wall solutions, RCM are able to supply all the necessary materials, including airtightness solutions.

The pre-prepared panels boast the same inherent qualities as SterlingOSB 3 which, unlike ply, has no knots or voids and a consistent density throughout that allows fixings to hold securely at any point across the board.

RCM’s extensive product range has been installed on many of the largest construction projects throughout the UK and are specified for use in sheathing, fire protection, acoustic external facades and full through wall solutions. We welcome you to our stand T230 and look forward to meeting you.

For further information on Norbord, please call 01786 812 921 or visit www.norbord.co.uk

For more information, please visit our website: www.buildingboards.co.uk

For all Timber Construction magazine and online advertising enquiries contact Terry Hanlon on  01925 270093

FOR TIMBER NEWS AND VIEWS ON THE MOVE...

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STAND T340

AUTUMN 2017

Complete range of high performance offsite solutions

Offsite manufacturing demands product that is proven, consistent, reliable and robust. British Gypsum has a range of products and services which offer tangible benefits to the manufacturing process, including: −

Savings in manufacturing cost through process reduction

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An innovative range of accessories that can improve process times and construction speeds

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Unrivalled technical advice and expert support for design, development and implementation

For more information visit british-gypsum.com/offsite or contact Andy Watts, Business Development Manager, on 07889 321692 or andy.watts@bpb.com

ACOUSTIC PERFORMANCE MOISTURE PERFORMANCE FIRE PERFORMANCE ROBUST PERFORMANCE RACKING STRENGTH INDOOR AIR QUALITY

The OSB with built-in strength KronobuildÂŽ OSB Range Engineered for strength, OSB brings dimensional stability and load bearing capabilities to building structures. OSB2 is strong, uniform, dense and very workable, with OSB3 for humid conditions.

The flooring stands out with high load-bearing capacity, durability and resistance. Further range innovation includes OSB Firestop designed to resist burn through and reduce flame spread and OSB Airstop saves energy by forming an airtight barrier. As all have environmental, quality and performance accreditation the range is a strong contender for any project.

To order your free samples, email: samplerequests@kronospan.co.uk or visit: www.kronospan-express.com KronobuildÂŽ product range: OSB: OSB 2, OSB 3, OSB 3 Flooring, OSB Firestop, OSB Airstop. Particleboard: P5 Particleboard Flooring, P2 Particleboard, Fast Clean, Weatherprotect, Fibreboard: MDF, Lightweight MDF, MR MDF, FR MDF, Deep Router MDF, HDF

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