FEATURE FABRIC FIRST
The Key to Net Zero John Smith, technical director at Stewart Milne Timber Systems (SMTS), highlights why a ‘fit and forget’ and ‘fabric first’ approach is the best solution for the housebuilding industry to become carbon neutral by 2050.
S
ince 1975, SMTS has promoted the use of a fabric first,
and continuously throughout their lifetime. At SMTS
fit and forget approach to construction. It is not a new
we have developed build systems that can provide
concept, but it is absolutely one which, now more than
U-values as low as 0.13W/m2K. So, when it comes to meeting the
ever, is crucial in fulfilling the large housing gap and
2050 net zero target, as well as being commercially viable – there really
achieving net zero by 2050. Sustainability and eco-friendly practices
is no comparison to timber frame solutions.
have moved from being ‘nice-to-have’ to being an essential part
Structural timber has the lowest overall carbon dioxide footprint
of every business across all sectors and, as one of the UK’s largest
of any building material and, on average, replacing just one cubic
industries, construction has a key part to play in creating a system
metre of concrete with timber in construction can save a tonne of CO2
where circularity and sustainability take precedence in the supply
emissions.
chain.
Our Sigma® II Build System, developed over 10 years ago as part of
Additionally, Covid-19 has impacted significantly on household
the Sigma® home at BRE in Watford, the UK’s first zero carbon home,
finances and further highlights the UK’s need for new affordable
was an integral part of A2Dominion’s Bicester Eco Village development
housing stock to be built quickly and at volume, all while meeting
– the UK’s first eco town – and is the perfect example of the fit and
green targets and delivering significant cost savings. Although the
forget approach and all it can do for communities, residents and the
pandemic has posed major challenges for the industry, it has also
planet. With an aim to deliver the most sustainable living in the UK for its
offered opportunities to pause, take stock, and consider the adoption of fresh initiatives that drive better efficiency. And when it comes to
residents, by using this system, 94 homes in the eco-village benefited
efficient building systems, it is hard to beat ‘fit and forget’ timber frame
from greater thermal properties and lower energy consumption,
solutions.
resulting in highly fuel and energy efficient dwellings. Our Sigma®
By adopting timber frame solutions, the speed of on-site
II product takes ‘whole life costing’ into account, as well as risk and
construction increases rapidly, with the possibility for homes to be
homeowner impact. When building with timber frame, a home can
installed and made watertight in a matter of days, saving costs for
be designed as one integrated system with a fabric first approach as
housebuilders. A fabric first approach is vital in maintaining the lifelong
energy efficiency is locked into the home’s core; without a reliance on
performance of the building. Energy-saving can be seen from the
micro-renewable bolt-ons which require regular maintenance and are
moment materials are sourced, until they are installed in the final build,
likely to need replacing during the life of the building.
Timber Construction Magazine
Summer 2021
12
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