Timber Construction Magazine Issue 13 Autumn 2020 by Timber Media

AUTUMN 2020 www.timbermedia.co.uk ISSN 2515–8686 (PRINT)

SMARTPLY MAX FR B  24 Stopping the spread with the latest innovation in flame-retardant OSB panels. WOOD AWARDS 2020  16

ARCHITECTS & SPECIFIERS  34

Unveiled during the London Design Festival, which buildings have been shortlisted this year?

Timber Focus, market health and what products are popular across the built environment.

Building greener homes, safely

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TIMBER CONSTRUCTION  ISSUE 13 CONTENTS

News........................................................................................02 The latest news and views from across the industry.

Sporting CLT.........................................................................12 Construction of the brand-new King’s Cross Sports Hall, a community sports centre and gym, located at the north east edge of the 67-acre King’s Cross development, is now complete.

New Ways of Building.......................................................14 The growth of the engineered timber market has been huge in recent years, now another pioneering engineered system may soon be available – minus the bonding adhesive elements.

Wood Awards 2020............................................................16 Seventeen structures were on the shortlist unveiled during the London Design Festival – whose name is in the frame for a coveted Wood Award this year?

Cover Story: MEDITE SMARTPLY................................24 ‘Stop the spread’ – a phrase that has been inescapable in 2020 – and influenced most of our activity every time we leave our homes. But what about inside our homes asks MEDITE SMARTPLY sales director Richard Allen?

In Tune with Timber.........................................................26 The new music pavilion at St. John’s primary school in the Buckinghamshire village of Lacey Green, sports a range of homegrown and machined material to great success.

AIMCH High for Newbuild Homes...............................28 The latest on the Advanced Industrialised Methods for the Construction of Homes (AIMCH) project, from Project Director Stewart Dalgarno.

Focusing on the Future.....................................................34 We asked Timber Focus, a key timber distributor for the UK and Ireland, a few questions about how trade is keeping and what products are popular for architects and specifiers.

Managing Editor: Terry Hanlon

Registered address:

 terry.hanlon@timbermedia.co.uk

73 Cross Lane, Newton-Le-Willows,

 01925 270093

Merseyside WA12 9QA

Artwork: Pete Awad

Improving Joinery Skills and Confidence.................38

 artwork@timbermedia.co.uk

Company registered in England and

Owen Dare of OT Dare Consultants and a founder partner of The Joinery Network, explains more about how The Joinery Network is boosting joinery skills and Building Regulation compliance.

Follow Timber Media:

Wales. Company Number 10839173.

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VAT registration number 271 5498 81.

The Perfect Partner for the Timber Industry Manage your timber materials more safely, using less space and in less time with Combilift’s materials handling solutions.

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Autumn 2020

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TIMBER CONSTRUCTION  NEWS

Site hoarding central to construction project considerations The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 demonstrates the duty of care that all construction companies and site managers are responsible for, which is to take all reasonable steps to ensure that both employees and the public are safe from construction work hazards. Hoarding is a crucial part of this: not only does it shield site workers from outside debris, it also protects the public from construction work and vehicles and helps ensure authorised access only to site. With this in mind, many construction projects would not be able to even start without safe, adequate site hoarding securely in place. SMARTPLY SITEPROTECT and SITE PROTECT PLUS OSB3 panels have been specially developed by MEDITE SMARTPLY as site hoarding solutions to the five key hoarding considerations in one product: •

Site hoarding needs to be strong and durable enough to provide a secure barrier and withstand adverse weather

•

It should be quick and hassle-free to install, enabling your project start on time and progress efficiently, especially in current circumstances

•

It should be adaptable to the site location

•

It should adhere to the controlled access requirements of the site and be able to incorporate appropriate signage

•

Finally, all site hoarding should always be aligned with the sustainability goals of the entire construction project itself, which can leave no room for illegally sourced tropical plywood, or boards which have unclear supply chains. Whether your site is a luxury development with countless stakeholders or a

socially responsible housing project, it needs to be secured against authorised access. Besides being exposed to vandalism, any building site is dangerous for laymen to walk through, which makes good quality site hoarding indispensable. A wider panel can allow contactors to continue work together at a safe distance, adhering to government guidelines on Covid-19 safety. Depending on the site’s location, long stretches of perimeter can be hoarded in this way in record time, while locations where surrounding space is tight can make use of smaller panel sizes. Signage on all hoarding is key both for site access points and safety information, which must both be clearly marked. However, branding and information for the local community is also increasingly important whatever the project. More at  mdfosb.com/en/hoarding

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TIMBER CONSTRUCTION  NEWS

Know your Use Class campaign underway The Timber Trade Federation (TTF), the Wood

contact, over 90% of people surveyed said

Protection Association (WPA) and Timber

they didn’t know and when asked if they

Decking and Cladding Association (TDCA)

understood what ‘Use Class 4’ means, 72%

have launched a new campaign to promote

said they didn’t know.

the accurate description of treated wood

The British Standard for wood

to increase the public’s and merchants

preservation, BS 8417, requires that the

knowledge on the important differences

loading and penetration of preservative

and purposes between each Use Class.

impregnated into the wood is tailored

The campaign comes on the back of a survey conducted on behalf of the WPA and the TTF and found 97% of merchants surveyed did not know that a specific class of timber treatment exists for timbers used in ground contact and only 3% recognised

to the desired end use. Applications for treated wood are therefore grouped into

INTERIOR

EXTERIOR

Use Class 2

Use Class 3(u)

Above the ground or DPC, covered

Battens, framing, joists, roofs

Use Class 4

Above the ground (uncoated)

Deck boards, cladding (inc. battens), fence rails

Ground or fresh water contac t (and exterior structural suppor t)

Fencing, playground equipm ent, deck posts, joists and beams

Use Classes, the three main being 2, 3(u) and 4. The challenge is how best to simplify this message whilst not losing technical accuracy. For the fencing, garden and landscaping

that a Use Class 4 timber treatment is

sector, the focus is on promoting the use of

needed for this application.

the term Use Class 4 for treated wood used in

Whilst one piece of treated wood may

contact with or close to the ground, using the

look very much like any other, the level

medium of the WPA’s ‘Make Sure it’s 4’ logo

of preservative protection can be very

and communications package.

different. Only timbers treated to Use

For the broader timber supply chain,

Class 4 should be used for ground or fresh water contact, as they will

the focus also includes differentiating between interior and exterior

best perform in these environments. In addition, a ‘mystery shopper’

applications for treated wood – using a bold, colour coded ‘Use Class 2,

research sponsored by the WPA confirmed that understanding amongst

3 or 4?’ message and simplified product descriptions.

many users of preservative treated wood is very poor. When asked More at  www.ttf.co.uk/make-sure-its-use-class-4-campaign

if there was a specific treatment specification for timber in ground

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Autumn 2020

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TIMBER CONSTRUCTION  NEWS

CCG Homes completing flagship schemes

The first phase of affordable housing at the

84-bed Clydebank Care Home is set to be

offer and the specification that we provide as

former St Andrew’s School site in Clydebank

handed over this winter.

standard. With the added benefit of the First

has been handed over to tenants of West

All of the homes are being constructed

Home Fund, Help to Buy and the new LBTT

Dunbartonshire Council. CCG has been on-

using CCG’s iQ Timber System to ensure

threshold, there presents a real opportunity

site at the 126-home development at North

enhanced quality and environmental

to be part of a truly special development.

Douglas Street since June 2019 with the

performance standards. CCG Manufacturing

project expected to be fully completed by

has also supported the delivery of the new

the Terraced Villa house type and we are

July 2021.

homes with the design, manufacture and

delighted with the response from the market.

supply of timber internal door sets.

To have sold out of these properties and

The housing mix comprises one-bedroom flats and houses up to five bedrooms with a

Also, only 13 plots remain at an exclusive

“We invested a great deal of time in

achieved the sales we have done, generally,

range of fully adapted bungalows for those with

156-home development in the southside of

across the development is a true testament to

additional support needs. St Andrew’s School is

Glasgow, at Riverford Gardens in Pollokshaws,

the confidence buyers have in CCG Homes.”

one of six sites that are being delivered by CCG

which includes one and two-bedroom

across the region with works progressing at the

apartments, three-bedroom semi-detached

in spring 2021. CCG Homes is to embark on

former Aitkenbar Primary School in Belsmyre

homes and four-bedroom terraced villas.

a new private housing development with 81

(55 homes), the former Haldane Primary School

CCG Homes Managing Director, Calum

Riverford Gardens is set to be completed

two and three-bedroom homes in Cambuslang

in Balloch (58 homes) and at Crevuel Court in

Murray said: “Riverford Gardens is very well

later this year and has also submitted a

Alexandria (22 homes) with each development

suited to the first-time buyer and downsizer

planning application to transform the former

undertaken directly with the Council as part of a

markets. The development’s location is one of

Calderwood Primary School site in Newlands

strategic partnership.

its biggest advantages given its connectivity

with works to begin in 2021 upon achieving

to local amenities, the southside’s vibrant

planning approval.

A further 29 homes are being created for the Council as part of the 146-home

social scene and transport links, but even

development at Queens Quay whilst the new,

more so because of the variety we have on

Timber Construction Magazine

Autumn 2020

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TIMBER CONSTRUCTION  NEWS

James Donaldson Group appoints new Chief Financial Officer Leading timber specialist, James Donaldson and Sons Ltd (JDS), has announced Arlene Cairns is joining the Group as its new chief financial officer (CFO). Arlene joins JDS from Aviva, where she was chief finance operations officer responsible for leading global finance operations as well as leading their global finance transformation. Arlene joined Aviva 3 years ago from Alliance Trust Savings where she was CFO. Prior to this, Arlene held several senior finance and strategy roles across the UK, Ireland and Australia working for Westpac Institutional Bank, Allied Irish Bank, RSA and Zurich Financial Services. This is in addition to her time as a management consultant at EY in the UK and Australia, where her focus was on transformation and performance improvement. Arlene will succeed Andrew Donaldson as CFO following his promotion to CEO in April 2020. Andrew Donaldson, CEO of the James Donaldson Group, said: “I couldn’t be more thrilled to welcome Arlene to the Group, where she will undoubtedly drive and modernise our finance operations. Arlene has a proven track record of leading finance functions and driving strategic transformational change and improvements in global organisations. Her extensive corporate experience makes her well suited to take on the role of CFO and an excellent addition to our senior leadership team. I look forward to seeing the impact of her presence as our new CFO.” Arlene commented on her appointment: “I’m excited to be joining the James Donaldson Group’s leadership team and leading finance, while supporting Andrew and chairman Michael Donaldson to continue the growth and development of the JDS Group and contribute to the future success of the business.” The move follow recent restructuring after Neil Donaldson announced his retirement from leading James Donaldson & Sons, after 45 years with the business. Neil retired on 31 July and is succeeded by his son and deputy Chairman, Michael Donaldson. Michael co-leads and co-manages the business with his brother, Andrew Donaldson, who took over as CEO in April this year. More at  www.jamesdonaldsongroup.co.uk

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TIMBER CONSTRUCTION  NEWS

Images © Mark Mackenzie Photography

London’s historic railway arches get new lease of life The restoration and regeneration of Central

HDX structural flooring boards were proposed

the mezzanine flooring has provided the

London’s Victorian railway system will see

by LA Metalworks to the design team as part

contractor with a highly robust structural

up to 8,500m2 of railway arches repurposed

of their early engagement of the scheme

flooring to work with. This OSB is able

into a contemporary retail and leisure

for use on the project to create mezzanine

to withstand heavy loads, whilst being

scheme as part of the redevelopment of

flooring platforms on the RSJ throughout the

around 20% lighter than standard 38mm P6

Borough Yards, due for completion at the

arches. This was due to their knowledge of the

chipboard.

end of 2020.

product capabilities and lightweight handling.

Located in Southwark, Central London,

3D BIM models were used by LA

“With the site situated in Central London, storage space on site was almost non-

the Borough Yards redevelopment scheme

Metalworks throughout the design and

existent,” said Paul Donovan, senior contracts

will transform the Victorian railway viaducts

planning stages in order to accurately

manager, LA Metalworks Ltd. “So the

into raw-brick, cathedral-like retail and leisure

specify, as well as visualise, the RSJ within the

practicability of manoeuvring boards around

spaces. The design includes a mezzanine level

viaduct, which features a complex labyrinth

the narrow arches had to be considered.

inside the arches, maximising the retail space

of Victorian-engineered brick arches which

EGGER OSB HDX boards were delivered direct

on offer to the customer, Meyer Bergman

vary in size and stature. By downloading

to site in packs as-and-when needed and were

European Retail Partners II.

EGGER’s OSB HDX BIM Object, available

ready to use. As the boards were so light, they

on the National BIM Library and bimstore,

were easy to handle onsite, move from arch-

Metalworks Ltd developed a hybrid structural

the technical properties of the board could

to-arch and once lifted to the height of the

steel and cold Rolled Steel Joist system (RSJ)

be downloaded directly into the digital

steel frame, were easy to fit.”

to create a platform throughout the network

specification of the project.

Specialist structural contractors, LA

of arches in the railway viaduct. EGGER OSB

Timber Construction Magazine

Choosing EGGER’s OSB HDX boards for Autumn 2020

More at  www.egger.com

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Freedom to design with complete peace of mind

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With SMARTPLY MAX FR B, we’ve produced an OSB panel that is even better than B-fore. SMARTPLY MAX FR is now SMARTPLY MAX FR B! Comprising all the properties you would expect from a SMARTPLY OSB panel – strength, moisture resistance, high load-bearing capacity and no added formaldehyde – SMARTPLY MAX FR B now offers increased levels of fire protection for the creation of safer, more resilient buildings.

With a Euroclass B flame retardance rating, SMARTPLY MAX FR B offers reliable assurance to specifiers, of its ability to suppress fire growth in the critical early stages of development, making it an appropriate consideration for timber frame and offsite construction projects, especially during the construction phase. Smart, consistent and strong, with even greater fire retardance, ‘B’ sure to do the right thing with SMARTPLY MAX FR B.

To find out how we are setting new standards in offsite construction, go to www.mdfosb.com/smartply Timber Construction Magazine Autumn 2020 www.timbermedia.co.uk 07

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TIMBER CONSTRUCTION  NEWS

UKCW to stage London and Birmingham 2021 events

UK Construction Week (UKCW) have been working with key

digital communities to assist in meeting that challenge head on as well.”

stakeholders to create an 18-month UKCW road to recovery that

Peter Caplehorn, CEO of the Construction Products Association

capitalises on the government commitments made towards the

added: “There is a significant job to do and UK Construction Week in

construction industry through major infrastructure investment and

London and Birmingham in the Spring and Autumn will assist in further

the new green homes grants.

connecting an industry that has come together like never before. If

UK Construction Week London (4th - 6th May 2021) will connect

construction is to live up to the Prime Ministers mantra of build build

the whole supply chain in an event designed to oil the wheels of

build we will need every bit of the strength tenacity and expertise the

construction commerce. With Government support and education

industry has to offer.”

on how to tap into major investment opportunities in Housing and

John Newcomb, CEO of Builders Merchants Federation and a

Infrastructure, UKCW London will be the must attend construction

member of the CLC Task Force added: “BMF members have been

event next Spring.

exceptionally busy over the lock down and have provided a crucial

UK Construction Week Birmingham (5th - 7th October 2021)

service to keep things moving. We are delighted that UK Construction

will return with a bang in 2021 as we deliver the UK’s largest

Week will be providing an 18-month plan that allows us all to recover

built environment event at the NEC Birmingham. Along with four

and adapt to the new normal and capitalise on the opportunities now

conferences, 15 CPD and workshop hubs and three major award

appearing for the sector.”

presentations, UK Construction Week Birmingham 2021 will mark a

The October 2020 edition of UK Construction Week has been

celebratory focal point as construction can share learnings from the

postponed to 5-7 October 2021. Exhibitor stands have been transferred to

recovery and look to a bright future.

the October 2021 edition ensuring no exhibitor has incurred any financial

Nathan Garnett, Director for UK Construction Week said: “The

penalty from the postponement. There will be an online conference and

pandemic has put construction in the spotlight, from building NHS

event programme running 5-9 October 2020 where industry leaders will

hospitals to pioneering COVID secure sites, and it has met all of the

debate and scope out what a successful recovery looks like.

challenges head on. Now it has been asked to be the catalyst for the More at  www.ukconstructionweek.com

economy, and drive the recovery, and we will use all of our events and

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Autumn 2020

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JR Group a new timber kit on the block Building and construction firm The JR Group has added to its expanding portfolio with the launch of a new timber kit division. In a move by the firm to offer a more rounded service to clients, DC Timber Systems has now been incorporated into the group which already includes JR Construction, JR Specialist Services, JR Scaffold Services and JR Commercial Property Services. The new business will be operated from Palmermount Industrial Estate in Dundonald and is expected to create 25 new, skilled jobs in the coming months. Heading up the new division is managing director, Ian Samson, who will drive the business forward to supply and erect timber frame across the country. “Despite the current climate, The JR Group is continuing to invest. Expanding our business through the creation of a timber kit

“DC Timber Systems will provide a key service

Currently, 83% of homes in Scotland are built

division is a pivotal step in driving our growth

for our construction arm, and by manufacturing

using timber frame, compared to just 23% in

for the years ahead,” said Ian. “Timber frame

the products ourselves, this will allow us to be

England. Scotland is very much leading the way in

is widely regarded as one of the fastest-paced

more competitive and offer a better service to

this form of construction and we are delighted to

sectors in the UK. There is a real requirement for

our partners. It will also give us greater control of

extend our expertise into this area, bringing with

good, high quality, timber kit product, which can

our overall project program and should negate

it opportunities to grow our team.”

be delivered quickly and we are confident DC

any delays on site. We strive to manufacture high

Timber Systems can meet this need.

quality, innovative kits, to customers old and new.

More at  www.thejrgroup.co.uk

INTRODUCING

PROTECTION

FOR CONSTRUCTION TIMBERS

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Timber Construction Magazine

Autumn 2020

Use wood preservatives safely. Always read the label and product information before use.

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TIMBER CONSTRUCTION  NEWS

Sydney targets world’s tallest timber Australian tech giant Atlassian has unveiled the design for its Sydney

possible and has many advantages for the planet, our cities and business.

headquarters by New York-based Shop Architects and Australian

We can’t keep doing things the way we have been for the past 50 years and

practice BVN. The tower is set to become the tallest hybrid timber

expect different outcomes. We need the development and construction

structure in the world – standing at 40 storeys tall – and will be

community to see the potential in new ways of doing things and get on

located adjacent to Sydney’s Central Station and Atlassian’s Sydney

board if we are to make the impact we need.”

headquarters will accommodate 4,000 staff. More at  www.bvn-x.com  www.eocengineers.com

The company selected the design team following a global search. “To create a development that catalyses the tech precinct for Australia and as the first anchor tenant, Atlassian will set the benchmark for sustainability for the precinct,” said BVN co-CEO Ninotschka Titchkosky. The building will target a 50% reduction in embodied carbon and energy compared to conventional construction. Atlassian has also committed to operating on 100% renewable energy with zero emissions, by using energy efficient design, such as natural ventilation and planted terraces throughout the building, as well as generating green power on site through solar panels integrated into the building’s facades, which will be a glass and steel exoskeleton tied to the structure. To achieve the reduction in embodied carbon, the building will be constructed with a combination of ‘mass timber’, concrete and steel. “For a lower height building you can build totally in timber, at 40 storeys we need to hybridize the structural system,” says Titchkosky. “We have worked with some of the world’s best structural engineers Eckersley O’Callaghan and TTW to develop the structural solution. This will be the tallest hybrid timber structure in the world.” Eckersley O’Callaghan Founding Director James O’Callaghan: “We have developed an innovative new approach to designing tall towers using a hybrid structure where the volumetric mass is timber. This approach significantly reduces the embodied carbon of the tower by up to 50% when compared to traditional tall building construction, setting a new sustainability standard for tower construction in the future.” Shop Architects founding principal William Sharples said: “Our collective work around the world focuses on elevating the experience of the public realm in urban environments, so we really welcome this opportunity to work with such wonderful partners to create a highperformance landmark for Sydney’s new tech district, at ground level and in the skyline.” Titchkosky added: “Shop and BVN are a 50/50 design collaboration based on shared values and attitudes to architecture. We are both strong advocates for sustainable design, smarter construction and human centred environments. Our shared experiences make for a rich collaboration. This project is not just about being green, it’s a whole systems approach to design, construction and habitation. It will demonstrate that change is

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Autumn 2020

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CTI creates net zero ‘Recovery Roadmap’

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NEW PERSPECTIVES IN CONSTRUCTION WITH DURABLE CLT ARTICLES

A new report from the Confederation of Timber Industries (CTI) explores the reasons: ‘Why timber is leading constructions Net Zero recovery’, looking to the Roadmap to Recovery, decarbonising

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construction, the growing importance of timber as a manufacturing solution, use in retrofitting our UK housing stock, and how we can act

Complete innovative industrial turnkey SOLUTION to protect CLT articles

to grow the global market for sustainable forestry. Roy Wakeman OBE, Chair of the CTI, said: “As we emerge from the COVID-19 crisis, we have the most united construction industry in living memory, a Government willing to invest in retrofit and rebuild, and alignment on goals such as decarbonisation and manufacturing via the Roadmap to Recovery. Taking the time now to transform the way we build

Waterproofing

is essential to combating climate change and creating a built environment which supports future generations. “In this report we take a look at why structural timber systems have

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been growing in popularity for new build housing, from the familiar technology of timber frame to the nascent engineered timbers such as CLT or glulam, as well as the role of timber in the retrofit sector in light of the Government’s new Green Home Grants scheme, including the importance of using the right materials for the job to get retrofit right.” The report was developed via the CTI’s membership associations,

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which include the British Woodworking Federation, the Structural Timber Association, Timber Trade Federation, Trussed Rafter Association and Wood Protection Association.

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The report is free to download from the new CTI website  www.cti-timber.org

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FEATURE  CASE STUDY

Sporting CLT Construction of the brand-new King’s Cross Sports Hall, a community sports centre and gym, located at the north east edge of the 67-acre King’s Cross development, has now completed.

he building, designed by Bennetts Associates alongside

‘as light as possible’ and responded to this by innovating and pushing the

engineering company Arup, features an indoor sports

limits of concrete and timber design, embracing the critical interactions

hall and a health and fitness suite over two levels. The

between what lays above and below ground. We feel a strong sense of

sports hall has been built to Sport England standards and

achievement that Arup played a central role in ensuring the engineering

can be used as four badminton courts, a basketball court, a volleyball

constraints related to the sensitive underground tunnels directly beneath

court or a five-a-side football pitch. The building will be operated by

the Sports Hall were embraced by the whole design team.”

Camden Council with the gym being managed by Better Gyms.

The building’s sustainability credentials are further bolstered by the

The building’s position, just three metres above the underground

fact it was designed to have multiple lives. When it opens, the gym and

tunnels of the Thameslink railway line, created a unique design challenge

fitness suite on the upper floor will be open to the public, however for

meaning the building needed to be designed using lightweight

a time the sports hall will be the home of the Construction Skills Centre.

materials and with shallow foundations. The Sports Hall, built by BAM,

This is a temporary fixture until the skills centre moves to their new home

is primarily constructed using a cross laminated timber (CLT) frame and

in Euston, at which point the sports hall will open to the public.

glulam timber columns. It is clad in zinc and has a super-lightweight

“We are thrilled that the Sports Hall has now completed adding a

concrete substructure that runs perpendicular to the tunnels to prevent

further piece to the King’s Cross jigsaw,” said Will Colthorpe, Partner,

concentrated loads. The serrated roof and façades of the building are a

King’s Cross Central Limited Partnership. “Our development activity is

nod to its railway context and heritage.

now largely focused at the northern end of the site and we’re extremely

“As our first completed all-timber and ‘near-zero carbon’ building, this

pleased with how it is all coming together and offering residents, workers

project is hugely significant for us, with expertise already being applied to

and visitors a wide range of amenities. The Sports Hall will be a fantastic

other commissions,” said Julian Lipscombe, Director, Bennetts Associates.

asset for the local community, and we look forward to opening the gym

“Particular delights are rationalising extreme substructure challenges

later this year.”

into a deceptively simple superstructure that echoes the site’s railway

Project Manager, Christian Clues, from AM added: “Q2 posed some

heritage and the warmth of the timber interior acting as a beacon for the

unusual challenges. It sat over three Victorian brickwork live Network Rail

community.”

tunnels serving King’s Cross Station. This required very precise tunnel

Designed to meet a near-zero carbon target, several innovative

monitoring: our careful methodologies avoided any complications. We

features were incorporated into the design, including various methods

conducted extensive tests on the bespoke concrete mix to ensure it

of ventilation and the use of glazing to provide daylight while reducing

wasn’t too heavy.

heat gains. The building also benefits from its connection to the King’s

“The timber also had its technical aspects, CLT’s moisture retaining

Cross Central District Heating and Cooling Network, an efficient system

properties making it hard to dry. We came up with a vented design

for heating all the buildings at King’s Cross that means that conventional

solution where we could install the roofing membrane and allow air/

boilers are not required.

moisture to escape so the timber dried out. This worked very successfully.

Francesco Ferrari, Senior Engineer, Arup added: “We are proud to have been involved in this unique project which further contributes

We managed to bring the scheme in despite the start of the UK lockdown and I’m delighted to say the finished building looks impressive.”

to our ongoing work in the regeneration of King’s Cross. Working in More at  www.bennettsassociates.com

collaboration with the wider team, we were excited by the challenge of

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INNOVATION AT THE HEART OF WOOD ! DESIGN | QUALITY | DURABILITY

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FEATURE  ADHESIVE FREE TIMBER BUILDINGS

New Ways of Building The growth of the cross laminated timber (CLT) and glulam market has been huge in recent years, now another pioneering engineered system may soon be available – minus the bonding adhesive elements.

n international research project, Towards Adhesive

University’s Institute of Integrative Biology. A large proportion of the

Free Timber Buildings (AFTB), has been exploring the

building is constructed using DLT panels and beams with compressed

future potential of dowel laminated timber (DLT). Dr

wooden dowels and non-metallic fasteners. Dowels are fully visible in

Zhongwei Guan of Liverpool University’s School of

the internally exposed panels and beams which creates an interesting

Engineering was the academic lead and instigator of the project,

patterned internal surface that has a warmth and honesty in the same

which is a collaboration between the Universities of Liverpool,

way that any exposed wood does. Conventional CLT and glulam are

Lorraine, Dresden and Galway, Luxembourg Institute of Science and

also featured, making it possible for researchers to make a like-for-like

Technology and Office Economique Wallon Du Bois in Belgium. Dr

comparison as they monitor performance over the next five to ten

Guan spoke to us about the research and what it set out to achieve.

years. Several companies were involved in realising the UK building

“The primary aim of AFTB has been to develop adhesive free DLT

including Liverpool-based timber frame specialist, Sticx, architectural

beams, columns and panels, and non-metallic connections as a way of

designer Cunliffe’s and the consultant engineer Giraffe. Buckland

reducing environmental impact in timber construction, and to look at

Timber in Crediton helped to produce the DLT beams.

the viability of setting up production at scale.”

“DLT technology will appeal to architects and clients who are

“We produced wooden dowels using a heated hydraulic press,

passionate about protecting the environment, but ultimately we need

where softwood is compressed to a third of its original size resulting

to have good demonstrator projects. The technology is comparable

in dowels with almost tripled strength and stiffness. The wood used

to existing mass timber products and it is possible to make convincing

in compressed dowels and fasteners can pre-conditioned so that

arguments for that. The University of Galway, who were responsible for

the water content is well below the ambient. Once the dowel is

research into non-metallic connections, produced and tested several

driven home within the panel or beam or connection, it ‘springs-back’

compressed wood connectors and their testing showed that the load

together with moisture dependent swelling and this results in a tight

capacity is comparable to steel fastener connections.”

fit that maintains throughout its service life, regardless of fluctuating temperature or humidity.”

“The market always has a resistance to new technology and this has to be challenged, but the major barrier is the manufacturing cost of DLT

“DLT Panels were produced at a standard length of 2.4 m,

panels and beams, which will certainly be higher than conventional CLT

and though we didn’t test for longer spans, longitudinally these

and glulam. To significantly reduce the production cost of DLT it would

components could be connected with compressed wood fasteners,

need to be produced at volume, however it would take longer to make

making it possible in theory to achieve very long spans. However,

the panels as there are more production stages. It’s worth noting that

for long span beams, say of 50 - 60m span, the beams would be very

DLT beams, panels and connections can also be produced manually, so

deep and require a dowel of around 1.7 m depth. This is possible, but

the technology can be used for smaller scale construction such as private

technology would be needed to drive through the long dowel into the

or custom-build homes. However, to take it forward into practice and real

beam laminates without breaking it.”

construction applications, the technology we have developed through

Two demonstrator buildings have been delivered using this

this EU-project now needs industrial support and investment.”

technology in the UK and France. The UK demonstrator is a 35 m2 More at  www.liverpool.ac.uk/engineering

office situated at Ness Botanic Gardens where it is used by Liverpool

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Spruce® is a complete, cloud-based business management solution. Spruce® software has been the trusted solution for builders merchants in the UK for more than 20 years, helping businesses integrate and streamline operations.

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www.ecisolutions.com/uk | How business gets done. Timber Construction Magazine Autumn 2020 15

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FEATURE  WOOD AWARDS SHORTLIST

2020: Names in the Frame

www.woodawards.com

Seventeen structures have been nominated for the Wood Awards 2020 with the shortlist recently unveiled during the London Design Festival. Here is a snapshot of each building hoping to win a coveted Wood Award this year.

NATIONAL AUTOMOTIVE INNOVATION CENTRE, COVENTRY The National Automotive Innovation Centre is the largest research and development centre of its kind in Europe. It can hold 1,000 staff and students working across design, engineering and research. Timber was chosen for its warm, natural feel within the industrial setting and its wellness and low carbon properties. The walls were assembled using a pioneering system of prefabricated, self-spanning timber and CLT mega-panels that could be erected quickly. As one of the largest timber roofs in the world, the glulam CLT lattice structure unifies the many activities housed beneath a single umbrella. Image ©HuftonCrow

Client: University of Warwick Architect: Cullinan Studio Structural engineer: ARUP Joinery: B&K Structures Quantity surveyor, cost consultant & project manager: Rider Levitt Bucknall Timber engineer: engenuiti Wood supplier: Rubner Holzbau Gmbh, Ober-Grafendorf, Binderholz GmbH Species: CLT, spruce glulam (European)

STROUD CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY CHAPEL, STROUD The chapel follows the Christian Community’s design guidance for new churches: symmetry, lighting and movement along an east-west axis with the internal walls and roof being, paradoxically, calm but lively. The design is inspired by mediaeval cathedrals, where the internal form is derived from a perfect fusion of ecclesiastical function and structural efficiency. The project uses CLT panels or ‘folded plates’ to create a pure, elegant internal form. The structural folded plates are elegantly proportioned and allow the smooth flow of forces from the vaulted ceiling to the ground. The load is shared with an arrangement of glulam ribs concealed above the CLT panels.

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Architect: ArchitecturePLB Structural engineer: ARUP Main contractor: Blue Fish Joinery: Bespoke Modular Developments Wood supplier: Lathams, Accsys Technologies Species: Accoya (New Zealand), various softwood, oak-faced ply

 @Timber_Media



ZÜBLIN Timber, a “Stroud Chapel” project partner. ZÜBLIN Timber stands for ambitious and pioneered solutions in the field of timber construction. We are your single-source provider for the development, production, delivery and execution of high-quality timber construction systems, from simple to complex engineered timber structures and turnkey project execution. Together with our clients we develop efficient solutions and a sustainable quality of life. www.zueblin-timber.com

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ZÜBLIN Timber GmbH, Industriestr. 2, 86551 Aichach / Germany, Tel. +49 8251 908-0, timber@zueblin.de

 @Timber_Media

Gare Maritime Brussels, © Maxime Vermeulen

Stroud Chapel, © Corbett & Tasker

Timber Construction Competence

FEATURE  WOOD AWARDS SHORTLIST

THE HANDLEBAR CAFÉ, WINCHESTER The Handlebar Cafe is a new community café and bike workshop created by a group of local teenagers supported by Hampshire charity SPUD. The building sits on a viaduct cycle and walking path. Two train carriage like elements are linked by a glass divide. A third small building houses a cycle workshop. A profiled Accoya cladding board roots the project within its isolated setting. The internal lining mimics the external form, with ply panels aligned to elongate the perspective of the building. The southern and western facades of the building are wrapped by a generous timber deck.

DULWICH PAVILION 2019, DULWICH The 10m high cubic pavilion acted as a welcome and event space for Dulwich Picture Gallery. The structural frame was constructed from painted Douglas fir sections. European redwood patterned louvres clad the pavilion. A simple geometric pattern was applied to the outer face of each louvre. Another pattern of horizontal stripes was applied to the sides. The colours and patterns seemed to constantly change as you moved around the building. A single colour was applied to the inner face to create a calm interior. The timber’s slight imperfections contributed to the sense that the cladding was an overlapping, colourful fabric. Images ©AdamScott

Client: Dulwich Picture Gallery Architect: Pricegore Structural engineer: eHRW Main contractor & joinery: Raskl Structural timber supplier & grading: Prowood Ltd Wood supplier: Fulham Timber Species: European redwood, Douglas fir (Canada)

THE ROYAL EXCHANGE THEATRE – THE DEN, MANCHESTER The Den is a pop-up performance space created for a touring professional theatre. The modular structure is reliant on strong and lightweight glulam larch components. It can be assembled in three different sizes, which enables its use in a wide variety of venues. At its largest, it measures 15m in diameter, 5m in height and seats 180 people. It requires no foundations or lifting equipment, an innovative system of fifteen winches and bespoke brackets raise the large circular roof into place. Larch has the elasticity to allow for use on uneven ground and provides the strength to support the heavy lighting rigs and resist the tension from the hardy-hemp rope bracing.

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Client: Royal Exchange Theatre Manchester Architect: Haworth Tompkins Structural engineer: Expedition Main contractor: Xylotek Ltd Joinery & wood supplier: Buckland Timber Ltd Metalwork: Hi-tech Resourcing Ltd Species: Siberian larch

 @Timber_Media

FEATURE  WOOD AWARDS SHORTLIST

HURSTPIERPOINT COLLEGE PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE, WEST SUSSEX This flexible courtyard theatre is suited to a wide variety of performances. The building has a brick and cedar clad external envelope with a standing seam zinc roof. The three-storey superstructure is predominantly formed of an exposed CLT and glulam frame. The main auditorium is constructed out of glulam columns supporting perimeter gallery levels and glulam roof trusses at regular centres. The glulam trusses span the full width of the auditorium and provide Client: Hurstpierpoint College Architect: Burrell Foley Fischer Structural engineer: Price & Myers Main contractor: MCS Construction Joinery & wood supplier: KLH UK Species: Austrian spruce

essential support for lighting rigs, technical equipment and access decks.

Images ©DennisGilbert

SWIMMING POOL HALL AT KING’S COLLEGE SCHOOL, WIMBLEDON The Swimming Pool Hall is one of three linked pavilions comprising a new sports centre for the school. The building’s design has strong visual connections between indoors and outdoors to encourage physical activity among students whilst seamlessly connecting the old facilities. From outside, it sweeps down to respect the boundary with a Grade 2* listed building. Internally, it sweeps up to accommodate a viewing gallery. Curved glulam beams support CLT roof panels with integral timber acoustic linings. The roof’s geometry and pale stained finish reflect natural top-light and artificial uplighters, eliminating the need for any light fittings above the pool.

Client: King’s College Wimbledon Architect: David Morley Architects Structural engineer: Price & Myers Main contractor: Knight Harwood Timber contractor: B&K Structures Joinery: Suffolk and Essex Joinery Ltd Wood supplier: Metsa Group Ltd Species: spruce, pine, fir, larch (European)

HARRIS ACADEMY, SUTTON Harris Academy is the UK’s first Passivhaus secondary school and the largest Passivhaus school in the UK. The four-storey, six-form school accommodates 1,275 pupils and 95 staff. The school has a special focus on the science disciplines and the new building forms the cornerstone of the London Cancer Hub, featuring world-class research and treatment facilities. The building is clad with Douglas fir and has a European spruce glulam and CLT structure. CLT roofs reflect the natural harmony of the building, with non-toxic materials providing exemplary air quality and environmental credentials.

Client: Harris Academy Architect: Architype Structural engineer: Ramboll Main contractor: Willmott Dixon Construction Limited Joinery: KLH UK Species: Douglas fir, European spruce

Images ©JackHobhouse

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FEATURE  WOOD AWARDS SHORTLIST

MOTHER…WICKEN FEN Installed in the Wicken Fen Nature Reserve, MOTHER... is a deceptively large sculpture designed to look like the haystacks that used to be found locally. Slender openings reveal that it is actually a shelter, inviting those walking in the wild fenland landscape to pause for a moment and reflect. The shape and proportions of the structure are based on the traditional haystack with a conical top. The sloping top forms a roof with a small oculus at its peak. The Client: National Trust/Wysing Arts Centre Architect: Studio Morison Structural engineer: Artura Joinery & wood supplier: Studio Morison Milling: Goodmans’s Mill Species: Douglas fir, hemlock, grand fir (Wales)

artists built the circular frame for the structure using timber felled from their own forest in north Wales and milled in their workshop.

FRINDSBURY MANOR BARN, ROCHESTER This Grade 1 listed medieval barn, originally built in 1403, was damaged by fire in 2003. At 210 feet long it is the longest barn in the UK. A third of the barn was rebuilt in locally sourced green oak. Large quantities of curved timber were selected for braces and tie beams. In total, 1400 f3 of oak was used. Extensive stone repairs were also needed. 95,000 Kent peg tiles were used to re-tile the old and new sections of the barn.

Architect and client: The Heritage Design & Development Team Ltd Structural engineer: The Morton Partnership Main contractor, joinery & wood supplier: Dolmen Conservation Ltd Species: British oak

BUMPERS OAST, TONBRIDGE Bumpers Oast is closely based on the traditional local oast houses used to dry hops as part of the beer-brewing process. Five shingle-clad towers create an extremely low-energy contemporary home. The proportions of the tower roundels were based on traditional oast geometries but stand slightly apart from one another; creating views inwards and outwards. The towers between them form a triple-height central space that forms the heart of the house and opens out to the orchard. Much of the interior of the roundels is clad in plywood: continuous ply in the cylinders and plywood shingles in the cones.

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Architect: acme Structural engineer: AKT Main contractor: Harry Barnes Construction Joinery company: Masson Joinery Joinery: Wood Works Brighton (kitchen, study, utility room) Wood supplier: Northern Timber Systems Species: spruce

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FEATURE  WOOD AWARDS SHORTLIST

TWO AND HALF STOREY HOUSE, LONDON Priced out of three-bedroom properties in the area, the clients decided to investigate what could be done to create more space in their existing two-storey, two-bedroom home. As they were unable to secure planning permission for a single-storey loft extension, the architects approached the project as an interlocking jigsaw. Two interlocking floor levels have been created in the space of one and half floors. The design hinged on using the ceiling of the bedroom below as a bed platform for the bedroom above. Integrating the bedframe into the fabric of the design allowed space to be freed up for other things, such as communal circulation spaces.

Architect: Bradley Van Der Straeten Architects Structural engineer: Constant Structural Design Main contractor: Gregos Builders and Decorators Wood supplier: Lathams

REDHILL BARN, DEVON An open and flexible house has been created within a large, roofless and ruined stone barn. The original timber first floor and roof have been reinstated with a contemporary Douglas fir structure, designed to evoke the simplicity of traditional agricultural framing. A highly efficient truss spans the building lengthways, utilising small section timber and steel connections. This allows the structure to sit higher than a conventional truss and stresses the height, form and scale of the space. Floating timber ‘boxes’ have been placed across the two levels which define and serve the principal rooms yet keep the barn open and undivided.

Architect: TYPE Structural engineer: PCA Consulting Engineers Joinery: Carpenter Oak Ltd External doors & windows: Bond Joinery Ltd Wood supplier: Beach Bros Ltd, Vastern Timber Limited Species: Douglas fir (UK & Canada), oak (European), sycamore (UK), softwood (Scandinavia)

THE RYE APARTMENTS, LONDON This development of ten sustainable apartments sits on a prominent corner site. A mix of one, two, and three-bedroom units are set in two blocks that respond independently to the changing scale across the site. The user’s quality of life is at the heart of the design. The project was driven by two key considerations; how to resist standardised or default positions within housing design, and how to minimise the materials, embodied carbon and cost. CLT was used for the superstructure and all the internal walls and staircases. The CLT is exposed throughout, creating large, lightfilled spaces and a comforting atmosphere.

Images ©JackHobhouse

Architect: Tikari Works Structural engineer: Webb Yates Wood supplier: Stora Enso CLT subcontractor: Eurban 3-layer board: Binderholz Species: Austrian spruce Images

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FEATURE  WOOD AWARDS SHORTLIST

HOUSE FOR THEO + OSKAR, SURREY A light, spacious and barrier-free home was needed for the clients and their two young boys who suffer from Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. In particular, the client wanted to create generous bedrooms and to better connect the house with the garden. The existing 1930s bungalow has been re-modelled and extended to meet the children’s current and future needs as their mobility changes over time. The extension’s glulam diagrid roof, which cantilevers 4.5m, acts as a continuous timber canopy and reflects the house’s woodland setting. The freespanning roof allows for large bedrooms that can fit adjustable beds and turning circles required for motorised wheelchairs.

Images ©AndyMatthews

Architect: Tigg + Coll Architects Structural engineer: engenuiti Main contractor: Ballymore Joinery & wood supplier: Buckland Timber Species: Siberian larch glulam

BROCKERIDGE STAIR, BRISTOL This prototype staircase is part of a UK government funded R&D project to enable digital fabrication directly from BIM modelling environments. The stair rises three floors and is cantilevered from flush mounted stringers. The parts were CNC machined and assembled onsite using standard tools. The new platform developed during research allows designs to be defined parametrically, enabling the user to configure bespoke objects to specific requirements. Parameters such as height, width, depth and material thickness can be user controlled. Digital manufacturing is enabled directly from CAD or BIM software via the platform which enables faster fabrication, better pricing information and reduces errors and waste.

Staircase & joinery design: Future Joinery Systems Ltd Architect: CaSA Architects Structural engineer: Mann Williams Digital fabrication: FabLab Cardiff, Cardiff Metropolitan University’s School of Art & Design Joinery: Silverthorne Joinery & Carpentry Wood supplier: Hanson Plywood Limited Species: ash, birch

WOODEN ROOF, LONDON This conservatory, built for an existing Grade 2 listed house, sits in a north-facing garden. The roof profile had to be pitched shallow to ensure that it sits below the existing adjacent boundary wall shared with the neighbour. One solid piece of wood, enclosed by four seasons glazing units, forms the entire structure and acts the building’s envelope, structure, insulation and cladding. The diagrid frame is a combination of falls that are either short and steep or long and shallow. The beam cross junctions were fixed without any glue or mechanical fixings. Each wood section is wide and deep which helps to emphasise natural light and cast shadows throughout the space.

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Architect: Tsuruta Architects Structural engineer: Webb Yates Main contractor: JK London Construction Joinery: Pracownia Wystroju Wnetrz Art Deco -R Wood supplier: Arnold Laver Species: Accoya (New Zealand), ash (Canada)

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FEATURE  ENGINEERED FLOORING

The Simple Choice Despite the continual development of new building materials and designs, David Connacher, Marketing Manager, Norbord Europe, explains that the construction of suspended floors in the housing sector is still dominated by one material: wood.

dmittedly, modern timber suspended floors are a far

Time is money in the building industry and housebuilders cannot

cry from the traditional combination of sawn joists and

afford to lose time even when the weather is against them. The suspended

nailed planks, but natural timber’s inherent strength

first floor of a new house is therefore pressed into service as soon as it is

and lightness continues to make this the material of

installed, initially as the working platform for following trades, before the

choice for most builders. Solid timber components long ago ceased

roof is installed. Floors are therefore often exposed to the elements for

to be the norm. Solid joists and planks must be sawn from large

days – or even weeks – while workers complete the brick and block-work,

and expensive timbers: today’s engineered wood products are

fit windows and erect interior partitioning. In wet weather, the floor can

manufactured by jointing and bonding smaller cuts.

be drenched with rain and in winter, that rain can turn to sleet or snow.

Modern manufacturing not only makes better use of a raw material that was previously unsuitable for structural purposes; it can also result

Many modern flooring panels are therefore designed to withstand harsh conditions for extended periods without any deterioration.

in a high quality and more reliable product. Instead of the traditional 9”

Engineered timber flooring products represent a massive

sawn softwood joists from the local timber merchants, builders can now

improvement over the solid timber floors of a generation ago. They

choose from a variety of composite structural beams that employ the

offer a consistent result in terms of performance and quality, plus

same web-and-flange configuration as a hot-rolled steel beam.

much quicker and easier installation to closer tolerances. They also have

With flanges of softwood and webs of either oriented strand board or a pressed steel lattice, these beams are as light – or even lighter –

another increasingly important advantage over traditional solid timber, and that is their environmental sustainability.

than a solid timber beam, and just as strong. Crucially, these engineered

Solid timbers are sawn from large-diameter logs – the trunks of

products are free of the defects, such as knots, splits and cracks, that

mature softwood trees which could be up to 80 years old. Particleboard,

occur naturally in solid sawn timbers. And being engineered, as opposed

however, is made from millions of softwood particles, resin-bonded

to simply sawn to size, their strength and other physical properties can be

under heat and pressure. And typically 75% of the wood fibre that goes

accurately ascertained.

into particleboard is recycled.

When it comes to floor decking, natural wood is generally only

Our CaberFloor range is made in a factory where the heat used to

employed now for its aesthetic value. Structural integrity is invariably

press the boards is generated from an on-site biomass boiler, fuelled

provided by particleboard panels, tongue-and-grooved to provide a

with the low-grade process residues that are unsuitable for turning into

solid, continuous floor surface. Products such as Norbord’s CaberFloor

board. Hence, waste is massively reduced and carbon emissions are

range of flooring systems now dominate the sector, and for good

minimised. The panels used to build suspended floors in today’s houses

reason. Particleboard products combine structural strength, stability

will represent a minute proportion of the total cost of the building. When

and reliability with low cost and ease of installation. Unlike traditional

you consider that most of them will continue to give good service for

floorboards, every sheet of CaberFloor flooring is the same as the next

decades to come, your floor could prove to be the best investment you

because the particleboard from which it is made is, like the modern joist,

never knew you had made.

an engineered product meaning post-installation defects are less likely in More at  www.norbord.co.uk

a modern floor.

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COVER STORY  MEDITE SMARTPLY

Fire: stop the spread ‘Stop the spread’ – a phrase that has been inescapable so far in 2020: all over our TV screens, blaring from our car radios and permeating so much of our lives as to influence most of our activity every time we leave our homes. But what about inside our homes asks MEDITE SMARTPLY sales director Richard Allen?

n the construction industry, these three words have

especially when it comes to timber buildings, or buildings which include

been critically considered long before this year

timber products as part of the design.

made them infamous, in relation to an issue that will continue to always be a top priority throughout the

It has taken three years since the tragedy for the draft Building Safety Bill to be published, in July 2020. In the intervening time,

rise and fall of other considerations: fire safety. In construction,

construction has continued to evolve, and arguably its brief shut down

safeguarding building occupants against the risk and spread of fire

in April 2020 due to the still on-going Covid-19 pandemic has only

is paramount.

spurred further change.

Demonstrating this, the UK government is prioritising the reform of

If construction was on the brink of a revolution over the last three

building safety legislation with fundamental changes to the regulatory

years, it most certainly is in 2020. The steady rise in building techniques

system for buildings. In the evolving construction industry we work

that fall within the brackets modern methods of construction (MMC),

in, these changes will impact the way the industry selects materials,

notably offsite and timber frame construction, have gained further

designs and constructs buildings and even the way it manages them over the course of the buildings life. The catalyst for this was of course the Grenfell fire tragedy in the summer of June 2017. Following this, Dame Judith Hackitt was appointed by the government to undertake an independent review of Building Regulations and fire safety. Her review found that the systems used to design buildings in the UK were not fit for purpose and required a fundamental overhaul. The immediate focus

Recent innovations such as flame-retardant (FR) OSB panels have opened up further possibilities which can allow these industries to benefit our wider construction agenda even more so, in terms of allowing increased productivity, attention to sustainability, waste reduction, and address the need for reliable fire safety.

of her review was the fire safety of residential buildings, and high-rise buildings in particular, however, many of the recommendations will impact fire and structural safety across the whole of the built

ground across the UK in response to the need for more efficient, more

environment.

precise and more reliable processes that aim to also transfer these

There has always been a certain level of responsibility on

qualities to finished buildings. Offsite methods, with their all their

manufacturers of construction products to allow and enable

factory-controlled rigor and minimised need for people on-site, in

construction professionals to build safer, better buildings. However,

comparison to tradition building, as all but been hailed as the answer

with the call for a new era of accountability that was a key outcome

to construction in the time of coronavirus. Pressure to be a sustainable

of Dame Hackitt’s report, this is now more important than ever—

and as environmentally friendly as possible as also had influence.

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COVER STORY  MEDITE SMARTPLY

Taking all these elements into account, it can be predicted that the role of structural timber panels such as OSB can only continue to grow. Therefore, ensuring that all timber panels manufactured are high quality products, with clear labelling and a proven performance, especially for applications where reaction to fire is vitally important, is invaluable. Recent innovations such as flame-retardant (FR) OSB panels have opened up further possibilities which can allow these industries to benefit our wider construction agenda even more so, in terms of allowing increased productivity, attention to sustainability, waste reduction, and address the need for reliable fire safety. The latest innovation in this field is SMARTPLY MAX FR B. Developed by specialist timber panel manufacturers MEDITE SMARTPLY, SMARTPLY MAX FR B brings an increased reaction to fire rating, up from the Euroclass C offered by their current SMARTPLY MAX FR product, which it replaces. The new offering is the first Euroclass B board manufactured in the UK and Ireland to feature wood flakes treated with flame retardant solution before pressing into panel form. Making its flame retardance integral and unchangeable by cutting or machining in this way demonstrates a simple innovation that responds in a practical way to the Hackitt report’s call for accountability and clear demarcation of safety and risk throughout the design and construction of buildings. For the designers of timber buildings, and as previously mentioned for the product manufacturer catering to the designer, there is a responsibility to specify materials, and to provide details that reduce fire ignition potential, limit fire spread and stop the passage of smoke and other hot gases. An

reaction to fire class B-s2, d0 and BFL -s1 performance, SMARTPLY

appropriately designed building will allow people who are remote from

MAX FR B will maintain its CE mark for both fire safety standards and

the source of fire to escape and provide a building from which the fire

certified structural performance, so there is no room for doubt.

services can deal with the fire safely and effectively.

SMARTPLY MAX FR B also makes efforts to rise to the scale

Structural fire safety is achieved by ‘passive’ protection, e.g.

demands of offsite construction in that is able to be manufactured in

fire-resistant lining, for which SMARTPLY MAX FR B may be used,

sizes of up to 2.8m wide by 7.5m long, using a system called ContiRoll®

with ‘active’ protection being ventilation, alarms and sprinklers. For

—the continuous pressing of wood strands. This makes each board

structural engineers, the choice of structural solution materials will

ideal not only for quality traditional building on the double, but for uses

influence the passive fire protection strategy. The Eurocode, here

within offsite building too. Large format panels also have the crucial

Euroclass B, denotes the products robustness against fire ignition and

to 2020 advantage of allowing output to remain constant with fewer

in the load bearing resistance under fire time duration.

people on site, and letting individual workers maintain safe working

SMARTPLY MAX FR B contributes toward the safety for the eventual building occupant in the event of fire through the use of

distances between each other, adhering to government guidelines to indeed ‘stop the spread.’

ZeroIgnition® technology: an environmentally friendly, water-based

After the construction hiatus earlier in 2020, UK construction

flame-retardant solution. Applying this before pressing sets this panel

industry has an opportunity to restart with a fresher outlook, truly

apart from others that are treated post-manufacture in that it also

building for the future with renewed focus on safety, for both building

protects against the destructive effects post-treating can have on the

occupants and construction professionals. This is something that should

physical strength properties of OSB—on top of invalidating the CE mark

be central to the development of timber panel solutions that aim to

if the board is ever cut.

cater to fire safety, whatever the method of construction they will

The CE mark, under the Construction Products Regulation, means

eventually be used within, as it has been with SMARTPLY MAX FR B.

that a product’s fire safety is now an essential aspect of the Declaration More at  mdfosb.com/en/smartply/products/smartply-max-fr

of Performance of the product. Manufactured to meet European

Timber Construction Magazine

Autumn 2020

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 @Timber_Media

FEATURE  BRITISH TIMBER

In Tune with Timber The new music pavilion at St. John’s primary school in the Buckinghamshire village of Lacey Green, is an elegant and award-winning timber structure sporting a range of homegrown and machined material.

t was designed by architect

reciprocal frame structure for both walls and

Clementine Blakemore for her

roof, using relatively short lengths of timber and

final design project at the Royal

connected so that moments are transferred from

College of Art, as a model of how to

one short length to another. The roof is untied and

achieve a small-scale educational building through

the thrust from the roof is transferred to the front

local collaboration in the absence of conventional

and rear gable frame by the butt-jointed spruce

educational funding. As well as involving the

boards – which together act as a diaphragm. The

community, the building was designed as an

front gable is a full portal frame with moment-

example of low energy consumption, natural light

connected steel splices at junctions.

and renewable materials, with timber the clear

The structure is formed of 171 tapered spruce

choice for structure and cladding.

members, CNC-milled and hand assembled to

The structural timber was donated and

create an interlocking lattice. Each lattice member is

fabricated at a local workshop and much of the

tapered, increasing in width to 200mm at the centre

construction was carried out by students and local volunteers, supervised

where the mortise joint is located, and decreasing to 100mm at the ends

by Blakemore. The building has a simple yet striking silhouette created by

where the tenons are located, so that each element is lighter and visually

a roof of two steep double pitches, one larger than the other. The form

more elegant. When assembled, the flush side faces outwards while the

was inspired by the geometry of the painter Agnes Martin while also

pitch of the tapers face inwards; this allows the butt-jointed spruce boards

referencing local agricultural buildings.

and external cladding elements to be fixed easily to the frame.

Both roof and side walls are clad with a continuous wrap of black-

For the first phase, the timber structure was assembled as part of

stained, feather-edged timber boarding. The two front gables of the

a two-week AA Visiting School workshop and completed over the next

building face the existing school buildings and are clad with a rainscreen of

five months by the architect with the support of the school’s caretaker

vertical larch boards which will weather to a silvery grey.

and volunteers. It was used as an outdoor pavilion for informal music

The building aimed to be an example of the use of local materials to

performances during the summer term.

reduce embodied energy. The structure is of Norway spruce (certified

After fundraising, the second phase proceeded in 2017 with Timber

under the Grown in Britain scheme), grown, felled and milled at Hooke Park

Workshop as the main contractor. The structure was cleaned to remove the

forest in West Dorset, that is owned and managed by the Architectural

result of exposure and then enclosed with insulated stud walls and roof, clad

Association School of Architecture. The green spruce timbers were

with a rainscreen of feather-edged larch weather-boards. The front gables

prototyped, fabricated and CNC-milled by a local workshop, Grysmdyke

were enclosed with a new stud wall incorporating the bi-folding glazed doors

Farm, located in the same village as the school. The European larch

and clad with the rainscreen of vertical rough-sawn larch boards.

cladding was homegrown and locally sourced from Hampshire. The timber structure is an innovative reciprocal frame, each member

Wycombe Council provided CIL funding to enable two local craftspeople to contribute to the project. Design & Making designed bespoke storage

resting on the adjacent one to create an interlocking lattice. Inside the

and seating based on the rich local furniture-making heritage and Karina

music room the structure is clearly visible, lined with butt-jointed spruce

Thomas designed a series of woven lambswool panels to contribute to the

boards to create a warm and inviting enclosure. The reciprocal frame

thermal insulation and acoustic performance of the interior. The project was

extends across two polycarbonate-glazed gables and when the room is lit

shortlisted for the AJ Small Projects Award 2020.

at night its outline is clearly visible from outside. More at  www.clementineblakemore.com

Steve Webb, director of Webb Yates Engineers, worked on the

 www.bacterialplantdiseases.uk

structural design with the architect and together they developed a

Timber Construction Magazine

Autumn 2020

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 @Timber_Media

FEATURE  BRITISH TIMBER

 BRITISH OAK TREE HEALTH INVESTIGATED A pioneering new project to investigate the

change. Through this project our aim is to help

health of British oak trees has been given the

boost the resilience of oak and secure their future in

go-ahead thanks to almost £2 million investment

our landscape.”

from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences

To improve silvicultural management of oak

Research Council (BBSRC), Natural Environment

trees for disease prevention and resilience, long

Research Council, Defra and Scottish

term field trials will be carried out to investigate

Government.

the impacts of these environmental impacts on the

The project, named ‘BAC-STOP’ (Bacteria:

susceptibility of oak trees to AOD. The project will

Advancement of Control and Knowledge to Save

also examine whether the bacteria present in AOD

Threatened Oak and Protect them for Future

bleeds (dark-coloured vertical fissures) on oak are

Generations’), will focus on Acute Oak Decline (AOD)

found in bleeds on other broadleaved trees. This

– an emerging and complex disease in which bacteria

will help researchers to assess the risk of the AOD

cause stem lesions on native species of British oak.

bacteria to other tree species.

BAC-STOP aims to produce evidence to inform tree

Using cutting-edge science, the project will

health policy and to develop practical measures for

assess the transmission of bacteria in AOD by

the management of AOD to enhance the resilience of British oak. The project will involve a multi-disciplinary team led by Dr Sandra

studying the behaviour of the beetle ‘Agrilus biguttatus’ which co-occurs with AOD symptoms. By gaining a better understanding of the beetle’s

Denman at Forest Research and includes the University of the West of

interactions with AOD bacteria and oak trees, the aim is to resolve the

England, Rothamsted Research, Bangor University and Aberystwyth

controversy of its role in the spread of AOD and to inform practical

University. “We are delighted to be awarded this grant to work on

management of the disease. A range of stakeholders will be involved in

bacterial diseases of British oak and other native broadleaved trees,” said

the research to explore social knowledge, attitudes, and motivations to

Dr Sandra. “Currently our trees face an ever-increasing pressure from

act on AOD, helping to design realistic options for the management of oak

pest and disease threats and environmental stresses aligned with climate

health for future resilience.

Stable, durable and 100% natural Brimstone® is a new breed of modified timber cladding sourced exclusively from British woodlands. Supplied by Vastern Timber. Specialists in British timber since 1904.

vastern.co.uk 01793 853281

Timber Construction Magazine

Autumn 2020

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 @Timber_Media

FEATURE  SUSTAINABLE HOUSING

AIMCH High for Newbuild Homes Stewart Dalgarno, Director of Product Development at Stewart Milne Timber Systems (SMTS), believes that innovation and constant evolution in MMC heralds the future of the construction industry. He discusses the company’s latest trial within the Advanced Industrialised Methods for the Construction of Homes (AIMCH) project.

emand for housing in the UK has intensified as the

At present it is estimated that the timber construction industry

population and the number of households has grown.

has capacity to deliver 100,000 units through offsite construction per

According to the BBC’s Housing Briefing 2020 the UK is

year, with the potential to scale upwards to 150,000 annually. Yet right

currently facing a housing supply gap of approximately

now, just 50,000 units per year are built using timber frame – half of the

1.2 million homes. If current building rates are maintained the

estimated capacity and one third of the potential scope.

existing housing gap could theoretically be closed but not until 2035.

The AIMCH project was established with an understanding that MMC and offsite manufacturing (OSM) will become adopted by more

The Prime Minister outlined his commitment to building with

construction companies and house builders in the years to come, as

the intention to upgrade British infrastructure and skills to fuel the

we strive to meet net-zero carbon targets and supply the need for

economic recovery across the UK. To support the ambition to ‘build,

affordable housing.

build, build’, in the Autumn the government will also publish a National

At Stewart Milne Group we are proud to play a leading role within

Infrastructure Strategy which will set a clear direction on core economic

the AIMCH project which brings together a group of key industry

infrastructure, including energy networks, road and rail, flood defences

players to share information as well as trialling new, innovative

and waste.

practices. Since kicking off in 2018, we have identified areas of

One change scheduled to come into effect by law this month is

standardisation within a typical house design, alongside our consortium

the expectation that we reduce the pressure to build on green belt

partners Barratt and L&Q, by carrying out a study using a specially

land by making it easier to develop and redevelop existing brownfield

created standardisation scoring system and assessment matrix.

sites. Building on brownfield sites eases pressure on councils to

As a result, development is currently underway on seven product

release greenfield land, enabling building in areas that already have

families, with evaluation of the current range of variation across each of the

infrastructure. Arguably, this is a prime opportunity for the construction

developer’s house types ongoing. We are currently halfway through the

industry to innovate, through the wider adoption and implementation

three-year project, with several exciting new innovations and studies being

of modern methods of construction (MMC).

developed - all of which are set to be trialled over the coming months.

Timber Construction Magazine

Autumn 2020

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 @Timber_Media

FEATURE  SUSTAINABLE HOUSING

Here at SMTS we have trialled new smart construction methods along with Barratt Homes at the Pewterspear site near Warrington. A commercial analysis is set to be completed with the wider AIMCH team, to help identify product development ideas that can be taken forward for our future strategy in construction, looking at time, resource, quality, and material waste. At Pewterspear, the pre-tiled roofs of two plots were assembled at ground level on-site, in a bid to increase health and safety by eliminating the need to work from height. Research such as this will be trialled on live housing projects throughout the next three years, with the aim being to commercialise successful new methods, bringing them to market in volume. Through AIMCH, around 50 house types have been examined for a variety of build costs, comparing traditional masonry, open panel timber frame construction and closed panel timber frame construction. Analysis looked at value and square footage, with labour, materials and subcontractor costs all considered. Results showed several significant regional variations, which will help develop a benchmark for analysis between the current standard in house construction and MMC solutions. In addition, with the UK government pledging to achieve net zero status by 2050, housebuilders must also consider their carbon footprint. As part of AIMCH, SMTS is conducting a survey which we believe is the first of its kind in the UK – looking at

At Stewart Milne Group we are proud to play a leading role within the AIMCH project which brings together a group of key industry players to share information as well as trialling new, innovative practices.

the embodied carbon content of our builds. The results of this study are expected to be released later this year. It is now time for the UK’s construction industry to rise

Only through continued innovation such as AIMCH and government

to the challenge posed by affordable, low carbon housing by utilising

funding into housing via schemes such as the Home Building Fund,

renewable timber frame and modern methods of construction.

will we be able to create and sustain a long-term solution to meet

While SMTS are already manufacturing high-quality, high-

housebuilding demands.

performance timber systems ready to be transported on-site and More at  www.aimch.co.uk

erected, wind and watertight in as little as five days, it is collaboration within industry, through projects like AIMCH which will be critical in bridging the housing gap. It is expected the AIMCH project alone will deliver new valuable digital design tools, manufacturing advancements and leading offsite systems which can be adopted by others within the housing sector to improve and increase housebuilding efficiency and quality. And, with this in mind, it is fair to say the AIMCH project is leading the way in providing a promising foundation to address current challenges faced by the sector.

Timber Construction Magazine

Autumn 2020

www.timbermedia.co.uk

 @Timber_Media

FEATURE  ZERO CARBON CONSTRUCTION

Homes 2030 – the new future Housing Minister Christopher Pincher recently announced the six finalists in a competition to encourage the best and brightest talents of the housing industry to design environmentally friendly homes that support people in leading independent, fulfilling lives as our society ages.

ast year the UK became the first major economy in the

funding to help them develop detailed plans. Alan Jones, President of RIBA, said: “The

friendly and inclusive – appealing to a variety of age groups and adaptable to how needs

world to sign a commitment

UK urgently needs a broad mix of affordable,

will change as people become older. Have low

to net zero emissions into law,

age-friendly and sustainable housing – and

environmental impact – applying technology

leading the way in tackling climate change.

these shortlisted proposals provide exactly

and construction techniques to deliver net zero

Homes are responsible for 25% of carbon

that. Through the clever configuration of

carbon emissions and can be deliverable and

emissions in the UK and the new competition

private and public space, natural light and

scalable across the country.

has placed energy efficiency and sustainable

ventilation, intelligent use of materials and

materials at the forefront of new home

technologies – these cost-effective, low carbon

of British design being brought to bear on a

design, with timber feature in several of the

homes show what’s possible when architects

key issue for today, and future generations,”

finalists designs.

collaborate.”

said Housing Minister Christopher Pincher.

A winner will be chosen and together with

As part of the government’s Industrial

“This competition demonstrates the best

“Delivering homes that are good for the planet

other selected finalists will be introduced to

Strategy, the government is committed to

and that promote healthy, independent living

Homes England development partners to

ensuring that people can enjoy at least five

for older generations.” The winning Home of

explore the possibility of developing bids for

extra years of healthy independent living by

2030 entry will be announced this autumn.

a series of homes on Homes England land.

2035. Home of 2030 applicants had to submit

The six finalists have each received £40,000 of

an outline design for homes that are age-

More at  www.homeof2030.com

 HOME OF 2030 FINALISTS The Positive Collective (changebuilding

Igloo Regeneration with Useful Projects,

Perpendicular Architecture &

Expedition Engineers and Mawson Kerr

humblebee) with ECOSystems

Architects: +Home helps communities

Technologies, COCIS and Arup: Positive+

to build green, walkable, vibrant

House seeks to maximise our positive

neighbourhoods themselves, bypassing

contribution to society and the environment, not just to minimise

traditional housebuilders. Instead of standard house designs, it

construction’s negative impacts. The scheme attempts to balance

proposes community-led and self-build homes that people can design

inclusivity, health and environmental benefits with economic value

themselves. The homes are simple to build with affordable frames

through the use of adaptable solid timber panels made offsite from

and components and are climate-friendly to build and run.

home-grown timber, and the use of very low energy systems. Openstudio Architects Ltd: Homes are HLM Architects with the Advanced

proposed to build a sense of identity and

Manufacturing Research Centre and

place from a simple kit of parts. Flexible and

Green Build: An ambition to develop a

adaptable houses, apartments, external

design standard that enables any Modern

terraces and gardens can be combined at

Methods of Construction (MMC) system to deliver the same high quality, sustainable design, with parts that

different scales and densities to develop multi-generational communities which provide a sustainable environment in which people can thrive.

are interchangeable. Outpost Architects with Milk structures, Studio OPEN: By simplifying and

EcoCocon, Barbara Jones, Gaia Group Ltd,

standardising a characteristic ‘kit of parts’

Propagating Dan, and Atelier Replica: Janus is a

of both internal and external spaces, each

modular housing system inspired by traditional

site is intended to be adapted to the scale

biomass materials and construction. Janus

and needs of the community, generating connected, sustainable, age-friendly and inclusive neighbourhoods.

Timber Construction Magazine

Autumn 2020

House uses these materials in modern ways to create a house that is zero waste, sequesters carbon, and enables a healthy lifestyle for its occupants.

www.timbermedia.co.uk

 @Timber_Media

ADVERTORIAL  JAMES JONES

An ‘I’ on Innovation Angus Macfarlane, General Manager of James Jones & Sons Timber Systems Division, discusses the increasing popularity of I-joists within the housebuilding industry and the inherent economic, technical and environmental benefits that help address the current challenges the housebuilding industry faces.

ith the Government’s promise to build 300,000 new

overall building costs. The well documented skilled labour shortage within

homes per year to address the current housing shortage,

the UK construction industry, which is anticipated to increase following

developers are under more pressure than ever before

Brexit, makes the I-joist system even more appealing, as it requires fewer

to meet new build targets. Added to these pressures,

components and therefore introduces less complexity on-site.

developers are also facing environmental challenges as the government

I-Joists possess many technical, installation, economic and

calls for ‘carbon neutral’ homes. The Zero Carbon Homes Agenda set

environmental benefits, making them the specification of choice in both

a range of milestones that the housebuilding industry must meet. It

modern and traditional housebuilding methods.

is believed these targets, coupled with the influencing factors of the

To look at the technical benefits initially, I-Joists are extremely stable

house buyer themselves has impacted on the popularity and growth of

with an excellent strength to weight ratio and reduced prime costs for

the use of timber as a prime construction material choice.

building completions. They also lend themselves well to service installation

A recent poll by Public First cited that when those who are considering buying a new build were asked what factors might influence their views on

as the OSB or fibreboard is easily drilled and can even be pre-drilled offsite.

deciding between two different house builders, ‘the respective companies’

I-Joists use less material than solid timber joists to perform the same

environmental credentials was the third most popular answer, only behind

function and have a lower embodied energy product when compared to

‘reputation for quality work’ and ‘how attractive their homes are’. Although

other building materials.

the driving force behind this purchasing decision tended to be motivated

The use of I-Joists within panelised roof systems has seen this market

by a desire to save money on energy costs rather than the wider concern of

innovate and develop rapidly in the UK. Long length I-Joists enable the

the environment.

roof panels to run vertically (as a rafter) or horizontally (as a purlin), in

Amidst sustainable and new build targets, Brexit poses even

conjunction with Glulam or LVL supports.

further pressure on UK housebuilders and has created uncertainty the

However, the inherent product benefits have seen I-Joist usage grow

housing sector could well do without, with particular concerns being

not only for flooring systems, but increasingly in roofs and walls too,

raised over material and labour shortage. It’s the anticipated materials

making them a market leading solution based on performance, cost and

shortage that has driven the recent £8.5M investment into a world-

ease of installation.

leading I-Joist production line at James Jones & Sons, which is the largest

This increase in usage has led to several innovations within James

British manufacturer of I-Joists, known in the industry as JJI-Joists. The

Jones, such as the ability to carry out precision end trimming on line,

investment will not only significantly increase production capacity to 20

which fits well with the requirements for off-site manufacturing. Insulated

million lineal metres a year, but will also allow increased flexibility as well as

I-Joists have been the most recent and well-received introduction to the

faster production times.

marketplace and are a much needed benefit in off-site manufacturing,

Recent government initiatives have encouraged the use of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) and Off-Site Manufacture (OSM) within

where consistent quality, speed and efficiency of build are critical to the supply process.

the housebuilding industry. It’s believed this has contributed to the

It’s expected with reduced energy costs being high on the list of

existing popularity of specification of the I-Joist, as it lends itself well to

purchasing influences for the house buyer and low carbon homes being

both construction methods, allowing faster on-site builds and can also be

high on the political agenda, the I-Joist product will continue to be a go-to

engineered and pre-fabricated in the factory, This is particularly appealing

solution, with more product innovations expected in the near future.

to housing developers, as they can be twice as fast to install and can be More at  www.jamesjones.co.uk

supplied as a complete system inclusive of all ancillary items, reducing

Timber Construction Magazine

Autumn 2020

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 @Timber_Media

FEATURE  ZERO CARBON CONSTRUCTION

Wood CO2ts less – get involved

A new industry campaign to showcase timber’s environmental credentials has been launched and is being driven forward by Wood for Good alongside the timber industry’s major trade associations.

ood CO₂ts less is the latest industry move to focus minds

building, new or old, can play their part in tackling the climate emergency.”

on the climate emergency and the UK’s long slow route

David Hopkins, TTF chief executive, added: “The timber industry is well

to reducing carbon emissions and achieving the 2050 net

aware of the impact that building more sustainably can have on the planet

zero targets.

and now is the time to spread the message. We encourage everyone to get

The basic aim is by 2030 to have all new buildings, infrastructure and

behind this important initiative and advocate for the industry.”

renovations having at least 40% less embodied carbon with ‘significant

One simple way to reach net zero carbon emissions is to choose wood

upfront carbon reduction’, and all new buildings hitting net zero operational

instead of other materials. Timber products can make a hugely positive

carbon levels. By 2050, all new buildings, infrastructure and renovations

difference in creating a more sustainable built environment. The Wood

should be registering net zero embodied carbon and all buildings – including

CO₂ts less campaign encourages using more wood as a way to reduce CO₂

existing buildings – net zero operational carbon.

emissions and fight climate change and is based on several core facts with

Wood CO₂ts less is an industry-wide campaign developed by Wood for

each backed by evidence and research including:

Good for the UK timber associations and member companies, with the aim

• Trees capture CO₂ from the atmosphere and store it as carbon

to promote the use of all wood products as low carbon materials across the

• Mature trees are harvested and their carbon is captured and stored in

construction industry. It is designed to illustrate how using wood can help reduce CO₂ in the atmosphere and contribute to slowing climate change. It

buildings and other wood products • More trees are planted and the size of the European forest carbon sink

is supported by Wood for Good, Swedish Wood, Confor, the Timber Trade Federation (TTF), the Structural Timber Association (STA), Timber Decking

continues to grow • Using wood instead of other materials saves CO₂ emissions, both through

and Cladding Association (TDCA) and TRADA.

the carbon captured and stored in the wood product and the avoidance

It will target legislators, planners, local authorities, developers, architects and contractors to encourage them to consider using wood first in order to

of alternative CO₂-intensive materials • One of the simplest ways to capture carbon and reduce CO2 in the

meet national environmental targets.

atmosphere is by increasing the use of wood in construction

“The government set a target for the construction industry to achieve

• Using wood in construction is a cost-free solution to carbon capture –

net zero carbon by 2050 but it’s not feasible for all sectors of the economy

reducing CO₂ in the atmosphere.

to become carbon neutral,” says Sarah Virgo, Wood for Good campaign

Supporters can access a range of marketing resources in a dedicated

manager. “To reach net zero, we need to compensate for these emissions

toolkit on the Wood for Good website. Resources include a Wood CO₂ts less

by finding ways of removing carbon from the atmosphere. The simplest way

mark, a press release template, timber facts, videos, animations, logos and

to contribute to this reduction is to consider wood first, instead of other

material for social media.

materials. If we are to meet government targets and reduce climate change, More at  www.woodforgood.com/CO2

we must act now. Everyone involved with the design and construction of a

Timber Construction Magazine

Autumn 2020

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 @Timber_Media

Let´s Build C02 friendly WWW.WOODSAFE.COM

Woodsafe Timber Protection invites you to a world full of flame retardant wooden products. Our flame retardant wood and timber cladding will ensure the architects vision with long lasting properties, perform to your expectations and a trustworthy investment for the developer. Swedish construction culture, generations of wood constructions reflect our services. With more than 50 variations of wood cladding and panels, CE marked since 2009 according to CPR 305/2011.

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FEATURE  TIMBER SUPPLY

Focusing on the Future Timber Focus is a key timber distributor for the UK and Ireland mainly supplying products through timber merchants and also working closely with architects and specifiers. We asked a few questions about how trade is keeping and what products are popular.

s with the rest of the UK, the timber trade has suffered

Although most timber building products can be used in their natural

huge upheaval over the last six months – how is business

state with no additional requirement for flame retardant treatment, fire

recovering and what impact have you felt? “We have

retardant (FR) treatments for construction products have come under the

had to find ways to define new markets in which to sell

spotlight more – especially cladding products after the Grenfell Tower

our products while meeting the needs of our loyal customers,” says

tragedy. What should specifiers be looking for? “The number of FR

Andrew Goto, Head of Sales UK and Ireland. “Timber Focus has been

cladding treatments on the market has increased in the recent months,”

in a very strong position as our machined timber profiles for cladding,

says Andrew. “There is a need to be more careful than ever before when

decking and fencing are supplied from many European Countries, mainly

selecting the appropriate fire retardant for the timber cladding or timber

Puidukoda OU based in Estonia, who have been fortunate enough not

in permanent construction. Flame retardant treatments enhance the

to experience shutdowns. This has allowed us to have extra timber

reaction to fire performance of wood products. Reaction to fire covers

volumes leading us to gain new customers and the ability to serve our

combustibility and ignitability of material, i.e. its contribution to fire growth

current clients. We have also embraced the use of technology selling

as opposed to its ability to resist the passage of fire.”

products on various platforms such as Woodscanner something most

“In the UK, two common Fire Test Standards exist for timber products in

people would not have expected to be ordering full loads of our timber

permanent construction, e.g. cladding applications, and have been broadly

products from an online portal.”

used i.e. National Test Standard (England and Wales) and the European

As the future is uncertain as the pandemic continues, there is still room

Test Harmonised Standard. The National Test Standard tests to the BS476

for optimism in the industry with Timber Focus seeing a big demand on the

Part 6 & 7 gives fire classifications, e.g., class 0,1,2,3,4 Unclassified (U= no

DIY range of its SertiWOOD® products. “SertiWOOD® is a premium range

test lowest value). It is important to note that the National Standards are

of timber products distributed in the UK by us that include the pre-painted

no longer in use for permanent construction, but you are likely to see this

or factory finished range,” says Andrew. “These are finished in a factory

standard still being specified – it is important to flag it with the relevant

environment with the cladding supplied with an external coating warranty

authority.

ranging from a minimum five years to over 10 years. They are manufactured

“The European Classification is now being used and accepted,

to meet all design trends from shabby chic and contemporary for internal

commonly known as Euro fire classifications. This is the European Standard

and external design. The SertiWOOD® range allow for unique surface

BS EN 13501-1:2007+A1:2009 Fire classification of construction products

designs and finishes such as a charred burnt effect.”

and building elements. Classification using test data from reaction to fire

Timber Construction Magazine

Autumn 2020

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FEATURE  TIMBER SUPPLY

tests. The European Standard incorporates more tests to include, e.g. heat output, smoke and flaming droplets. The European Harmonised Standard classifies the fire performance into the different reaction to fire classes, e.g. A1, A2, B, C, D, E, F ( F= No performance determined). “If a product is covered by the Construction Products Regulation (CPR), e.g. timber cladding, or structural timber, it must be CE-marked to the relevant standard. For example, timber cladding has to be CE-marked to BS EN 14915:2013+A2:2020 solid wood panelling and cladding. Checking that your product is CE-marked if it falls under the CPR is the easiest and quickest way for an end user to check the conformity of their product on delivery. The CE mark needs to be shown on the product delivery/Invoice paperwork or labelled on the product. Any queries, complaints with CE-marking of a product covered by CPR in the UK is enforced through trading standards.” Alongside product safety and reliable performance in-use, responsibly sourced material and chain of custody certification such as FSC and PEFC-

timber cladding and have having partnerships in France and Estonia has

certified timber products are more essential than ever. “There is increasing

given them the flexibility to supply a volatile market. It will also stand them

pressure on all timber businesses to supply legal and sustainable timber

in good stead to carry them through the Brexit transition, allowing for more

and it is mandatory to ensure that all wood supplied on the UK market

stock holding at the docks – key to merchant and DIY customers. Whether

conforms to the European Timber Regulation (EUTR), adds Andrew. “We

Corona-related or Brexit-effected, the next 18 months are set to be strange

hold both FSC and PEFC certification. It has become paramount to follow

sailing for everyone. “We have been active in the UK for two years now,”

the guidance of bodies such as FSC and PEFC that allows for the quick

says Andrew. “As a new organisation we have gained a number of loyal

assessment of the supply chain through chain of custody to minimise

customers which we will continue to support and we are looking for more

the risk of illegal and unstainable wood entering the supply chain. Most

customers not just in the building, timber merchant and DIY markets but

commercial and local authority customers require timber to be either FSC

we are looking at developing the agricultural sector for wood round poles

or PEFC-certified and if you are looking to supply any major projects you will

and posts and increasing our stockholding at both Harwich Docks and our

need the required certification.”

Staffordshire base.”

Timber Focus is a partner to Puidukoda OU and Groupe Rose, making More at  www.timberfocus.com

them a very strong, reliable group on machined profiles in softwoods and

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Autumn 2020

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FEATURE  ENGINEERED WOOD

Performance is Everything The growth in engineered wood offers some fantastic opportunities for those specifying timber. Justin Hayward, technical timber manager at James Latham, explains why engineered wood can offer tangible benefits over traditional solid wood.

Sustainability and wellbeing

Social housing may seem like an unusual

As the UK strives to reach net zero by

place to start when it

2050 materials are being scrutinised for their

comes to engineered

green potential. Wood of course is leading

wood. But it’s longevity, sustainability

the charge when it comes to sustainability

credentials and thermal properties tick

credentials and general versatility. It’s

a lot of boxes for this sector. Using it

important that engineered wood is part of

for windows and doors immediately

the conversation. Because it produces less

improves thermal performance

waste at every stage of its lifecycle it is a

compared to that of solid wood. It is

highly sustainable option.

also resistant to warping, which hugely

WoodEx for example is sourced from

reduces the need for maintenance

approved suppliers all over the world

in the future and eradicates the

and is also FSC-accredited. Its production

age-old issue of timber expanding

is guaranteed to meet the highest

and contracting due to changes in

environmental and social standards. And as

temperature and airborne moisture.

modern methods of construction (MMC) take

Less ongoing maintenance means

hold, new offsite manufacturing techniques

less cost as social housing stock matures.

make engineered wood increasingly viable

There is also an aesthetic benefit with

throughout the housebuilding process.

an engineered timber product such as WoodEx, where the appearance is the same as solid timber but both sides are

Natural products also provide a different Woodex has two high quality, clear faces for use in joinery applications and is ideally suitable for use in timber doors and windows

completely clear of defects.

benefit and that is on the wellbeing front. Research shows that natural materials immediately have an impact on health as they

Thanks to the clean unblemished face engineered timber looks good

decrease the body’s automatic stress response. As people are now on

as is. It can also be painted without worrying about any imperfections

average spending 90% of their time indoors, using natural materials

showing through. Or, if a more natural look is required, WoodEx comes in

such as timber will clearly make a difference and bring a connection

four different species; European Redwood, European Oak, Red Grandis and

with nature into a building.

Sapele, each with attractive natural finishes.

With so many positive attributes engineered wood really is the future when it comes to working with wood. So to answer the questions

Doors, windows and more

posed at the start. Is it really better than traditional solid wood? Yes,

Another benefit of engineered timber is that it is cut to standard sizes

it has better thermal properties, no defects and therefore produces

therefore reducing waste. You buy exactly what you need. For those who

less waste. Is it worth the extra cost? Yes, as it doesn’t warp over time

are manufacturing staircases, doors and windows, having a reliable supply

and requires less maintenance saving money in the long run. It’s cut to

of high-quality timber with minimal waste is invaluable. At first glance,

size, has practically all imperfections removed and is usable from the

the higher initial cost for engineered wood might be off-putting. But it’s

moment it is delivered, which makes it ideal for manufacturers.

increased yield and reduced wastage saves manufacturers both time and More at  www.lathamtimber.co.uk

money. It makes for a much easier, more consistent product.

Timber Construction Magazine

Autumn 2020

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 @Timber_Media

Timber Construction Magazine

Autumn 2020

www.timbermedia.co.uk

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FEATURE  EDUCATION & TRAINING

Improving Joinery Skills and Confidence We sat down with Owen Dare of OT Dare Consultants and a founder partner of The Joinery Network, to talk about how The Joinery Network is working to boost joinery skills and Building Regulation compliance.

What is the background to the formation and vision of the Joinery Network?

ability to manufacture fully legal products was limited, so they were missing out on this profitable market.

Owen Dare: Last year, after considerable planning, a group of like-

Creating Lignum, the fully-tested Document Q compliant suite

minded companies launched The Joinery Network with the vision of

of products, tackles this issue head on. It means joinery companies

helping joinery companies to make and sell certified windows and

can manufacture the certified products for newbuild by choosing

doors. We knew that joinery businesses needed access to fully-tested,

the relevant product licences from The Joinery Network. It also gives

accredited timber window and door systems to comply with Building

specifiers the confidence to choose local businesses offering products

Regulations and compete in the newbuild market. We also knew that

within the scheme.

the costs were prohibitive.

A joinery company testing their products independently can spend upwards of £50,000 – more than many could justify. The Joinery

What is the Lignum window system and how is it different to others on the market?

Network has already invested more than £60,000 in the design and

Owen Dare: Lignum is the first complete UK timber window and

testing of timber windows and doors to create a fully tested and

door system with full PAS 24:2016 certification and Document Q for

certified suite of products for joiners to manufacture – Lignum.

security, Part M for accessibility and BS 6375: 1 for weathertightness and thermal performance, available to any joinery manufacturer looking

Can you say a bit more about the investment in testing for PAS 24:2016 and Approved Document Q for security, Part M for accessibility and BS 6375: 1 for weathertightness and thermal performance?

for easy access to comply with Building Regulations. Filling the gap in the market, the extensive Lignum range means joinery companies can choose each product against each test result, so both big and small joiners can offer a full or selective range.

Owen Dare: It’s mandatory for windows and doors fitted into new

homes in England and Wales to be Document Q compliant. PAS 24 for security and BS 6375: 1 weather testing are the current standards for

How has the first 18 months in operation progressed?

Document Q. From talking to joinery manufacturers, we found that

Owen Dare: The number of joiners adding Lignum to their product

they were often given confused information from suppliers and their

range is growing well. So far, the range includes vertical sliding box sash

Timber Construction Magazine

Autumn 2020

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 @Timber_Media

FEATURE  EDUCATION & TRAINING

windows, top & side swing flush casement and storm-proof windows,

manufacturing for Building Regulations, demonstrate machinery,

along with in & out opening single & double doors, French doors and

tooling and software, and host an expert marketplace and networking

bifold doors – and there are others in the pipeline.

session. We’re hosting webinars and the first one focused on finance advice to help cashflow in these unprecedented times. Future sessions

What does the co-operative bring to the timber windows and doors sector in ‘expertise and practical support’?

will cover topics such as tooling, software, marketing and sustainability.

Owen Dare: As well as providing fully-certified timber products, The

growth. We’re also working with leading certification body Certass to

Joinery Network works to provide joinery manufacturers with skills,

create a Competent Person Scheme, designed specifically for timber

tools and practical support for their business. Our founder partners

installers to skill up and get tested.

The Joinery Network Hub is our Facebook group where we pool together our shared resources and knowledge to support joiners’

offer their expertise to arm joiners with the practical support they need to confidently meet Building Regulations and sell more timber windows and doors. This isn’t just hands-on training – we also offer business support including marketing, tax credits and finance. Joiners can benefit from Leitz CNC machinery training, to Document

The spotlight on timber use is usually on the structural aspects of a building. How important is the joinery sector to the overall drive for sustainability and 2050 net zero targets?

Q ready hardware from DJH & BJ Waller, while Close Brothers and Fiscale

Owen Dare: Last year, the government shifted the goalposts of our

can help with comprehensive advice on asset finance and R&D tax credits.

greenhouse gas emissions target, which was previously an 80% reduction

Joinery software specialists CalWin offer IT audits and advice and Balls2

from 1990 levels. With net zero goals all over the headlines, concerns

Marketing host marketing sessions. We also have an affiliate scheme,

about climate change are causing consumers to make more ethical

where joiners can get support from companies like Centor, Illbruck,

buying choices. We want to help joiners make the most of the desire for

James Latham, MBM, Teknos and Winkhaus.

sustainable home improvements and support the 2050 net zero targets.

How are you educating the market on boosting joinery skills and Building Regulation compliance?

most homeowners could only get their hands on timber-replica PVCu

Owen Dare: Education is vital, which is why we offer initial training to

for windows. The lack of supply for good quality, certified windows in UK

ensure standards are being met. I personally visit each licence holder

designs stifled growth for the timber market, until now.

There’s always been an interest for real timber windows. However,

windows that were suitably accredited. A lot of materials used in the mass PVCu window market are unsustainable, whereas timber is the natural fit

when they sign up for a one-on-one training and consultancy session. More at  www.thejoinerynetwork.co.uk

We host open events where we share the latest developments on

Timber Construction Magazine

Autumn 2020

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Advertise online with Timber Media’s Products & Services

For more information call Terry Hanlon on 01925 270093 or email terry.hanlon@timbermedia.co.uk

Offsite construction – Norbord’s SterlingOSB Zero is the answer to green, speed and cost demands

Norbord is the world’s largest manufacturer of OSB and has invested £145m in a new plant in Inverness, Scotland. Manufactured using renewable heat from on-site biomass boilers, Norbord’s SterlingOSB Zero is a sustainable, low-energy product with excellent physical performance characteristics. A new family of products is a development of the most popular OSB brand in the building and interior design arena and comprises SterlingOSB Zero 3, SterlingOSB Zero Tongue and Groove, SterlingOSB Zero SiteCoat, SterlingOSB Zero Fire Solutions and SterlingOSB Zero StrongFix.

Construction 2025, the joint government and industry strategy, outlines ambitious targets for the UK construction industry. Within the next five years, both construction-related emissions and project delivery times must be halved, while construction costs are required to be reduced by a third. Offsite timber frame construction will be one of the solutions for housebuilders – and using Norbord’s SterlingOSB Zero is just the ticket in terms of green, speed and cost when considering the essential board material. OSB is an essential component of all timber framed panel systems and a major contributor to their growing popularity.

SterlingOSB Zero is Norbord’s UK manufactured oriented strand board with zero added formaldehyde. It is one of the most widely-used components of UK timber frame systems and with efforts being concentrated to speed up the development of new homes, SterlingOSB Zero is set to be a cost-effective and high quality solution to growing demands.

The growth of timber frame is gradually changing long-established practices within housebuilding as new timber-framed homes can be brought to market at a much faster rate than is possible with traditional brick-and-block. The off-site manufacture of timber frame reduces not only the erection time on site but also the amount of traditional building skills required.

Timber Construction Magazine

Autumn 2020

To speak to one of the housebuilding team, email daniel. clarke@norbord.net or, for further information on how Norbord can help, please call 01786 812 921 or visit www.norbord.co.uk

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Egger Protect. Get more from your structural floor www.egger.com/protect

Get more from your structural flooring with EGGER Protect! An innovative structural flooring board, EGGER Protect offers benefits to not only the builder during and after construction, but also to the homeowner for the life of the board. EGGER Protect comes with a Lifetime Guarantee when fitted in accordance with our fitting guide and glued using our Joint & Joist Adhesive. For more information on EGGER Protect, call our Building Products Hotline on 0845 602 4444, visit www.egger.com/protect or email building.uk@egger.com.