Rising to the Challange in Fangfoss

This is a case study by CMG Member PRomotion

TAYLOR MADE FOR CLIMATE CHANGE

There’s a house that’s gone up in the village of Fangfoss near York that really has risen to the challenge of the threats posed by climate change thanks to a real team effort.

Work on the five bedroom property began in February and concluded in August and was delivered by Skipton-based firm SIPS@Clays LLP on behalf of R M Developments with West Yorkshire timber firm C R Taylor (Timber) Ltd providing more than a helping hand.

Constructed on block and beam foundations from a Kingspan TEK Building System, supplied and installed by Clays, the new five bedroom 2500 square foot property has a host of features that contribute to very low U values (.22) and air loss.

C R Taylor supplied a total of 335 linear metres of engineered TJI floor and roof timbers as well as their expertise of innovative and progressive building systems.

Housing developments across the UK are increasingly recognising the benefits of SIPS (structural insulated panel system) and timber floor and ceiling technology according to Paul Amphlett, Executive Director of Engineered Timber Products at C R Taylor. “As an iLevel service partner with a dedicated department and knowledge base we are getting involved with an increasing number of SIPS developments such as this.

“Structurally speaking it represents an important part of the whole equation that all adds up to a solution that puts us more in sync with the planet.

“The advantages of using engineered timber systems such as I Joist are manifold. From decreased construction time, reduced maintenance costs, increased strength and better thermal efficiency to the fact that all of the timber comes from certified and fully sustainable sources.

“Add to that the kind of innovations shown within this construction project and you have the blueprint for a better future,” added Paul whose department works closely with Clays on many residential developments across the UK.

Andy Porter of SIPS@Clays LLP is well versed in such ground breaking developments: “The SIPS system utilised within this property plays a key role in its environmental credentials. Once surrounded by a red brick outer construction the timber inner walls with their triple layer design, including rigid urethane core, offers outstanding levels of insulation.

“The interior plastering process is also made significantly easier with near perfectly level surfaces ensuring a much quicker and more aesthetically pleasing finish.

“The developer is aware of the changes that are going to occur in the building trade as we head towards lower and eventually zero carbon homes,” added Andy.

A log burning stove and a heat recovery system (MVHR) that bolts on to the wall and permanently extracts stale air from the kitchen and bathroom areas is another innovation. The MVHR recovers the heat, expels the stale air and brings in cool air from outside that is then warmed using the recovered heat.

In addition, a heat recovery system removes moist air from all wet rooms. The removed air is returned into all the other rooms via the ducting from the main recovery unit sited in the roof space. This process retains 95% of the warmth of the original removed air.

Developer Richard Sewell explained: “Two 85 metre bore holes circulate water in 40mm pipes back to a heat pump. The heat pump works like a fridge in reverse. For every kilowatt of power used to run the pump 4.5 kilowatts is gained. All the hot water requirements to run the underfloor heating and hot water system come from this.

“This is a large house but it will be ridiculously economical to run despite being fractionally more expensive to build. It’s my first project of this kind but definitely not my last. Like many eco-houses this represents the future.

“Nature supplies all of the answers if we can be bothered to dig a little bit deeper and think a little bit more cleverly!” added Richard who liaised with Leeds-based Chris Davis Architecture.

“We worked closely with Chris before taking the plans to Clays where their in-house 3D CAD system ironed out any issues. Taylors then got involved with their design team to be able to provide a perfect fitting roofing and flooring system.

“As the property took shape a very clear jigsaw style plan was pinned up in each room and that provided a clear guide for the development.

“All in all it was a well co-ordinated team effort and the end result is there for all to see!

“I feel it will be five years or so before these sort of innovations become mainstream solutions but as awareness and knowledge on the part of housebuyers increases then this kind of eco-friendly and cost effective construction will become the norm,” concluded Richard.

With the UK’s construction industry currently awash with innovative and progressive building methods it’s clear that the quiet East Riding of Yorkshire backwater of Fangfoss provides one shining example of a brighter future.

www.taylortimber.co.uk
www.claysllp.co.uk

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