Wood Newton Limited’s external façade system has been tried and tested on a number of separate buildings and, in addition to its sustainability and energy efficiency advantages, is proven to reduce time on site and has no reliance on scaffolding in relation to other timber cladding methods.

Click here to view a 24 hour timelapse video of a house being built 15.9Mb Quicktime File

The patented system utilises the off-site manufacture of structural timber panels to create a weatherproof envelope very quickly. With the use of Chain of Custody certificated timbers and re-cycled paper as insulation, a highly sustainable envelope can be created.

U-values and air tightness well in advance of the current Building Regulations and an option to increase the insulation to a point where Zero Carbon is realized is now available. The system can give U-values as low as 0.08 W/m²K.

We have also developed a sliding joint detail for multi-storey buildings where large structural movement between floors is expected.

The decorative cladding, which acts as a rainscreen, is not limited to timber, although Western Red Cedar and Larch Boarding are popular. We have used a wide variety of components such as Trespa, Rockpanel, render and brick slips.

The system is not limited by the type of structure utilised, it works equally well with concrete or structural steel frames. The system can be built into the structure to create a flush internal surface or can be hung from the outside of the structural frame. Exposed, architectural secondary steelwork has also been used.

Wood Newton Limited’s external façade system does not use a particular type of window; indeed any window system can be employed. We have used bespoke Western Red Cedar tilt/turn windows and Velfac’s V200 system with equal success.

Wood Newton Limited has also developed a timber curtain walling system that offers a distinctive architectural look.

One of the main reasons we gain repeat work in this sector is the ability of our design department to work with architects and quantity surveyors to balance a cost affective exterior system that gives the desired visual effect.

Background to the Development of the System: Wood Newton Limited’s passion for sustainability coupled with the introduction of BREEAM (the BRE’s Environmental Assessment Method) has focused the Public Sector to demonstrate the environmental performance of their building works. This is especially prevalent in schools where central grants are available to Local Education Authorities for high scoring designs. The use of Wood Newton Limited’s external cladding system gives high scores due to the high timber, and consequently low carbon, content.

Milton Keynes is one Local Authority that has recognised the benefits and their Architecture Department have worked with Wood Newton Limited on the development of new schools, including a scheme that is set to become the UK’s first carbon neutral school. Wood Newton Limited has to date had orders of £6million on Milton Keynes schools. One school in Milton Keynes which used Wood Newton Limited’s system was short listed for Society of Chief Architects in Local Authorities (SCALA) Civic Advantages Building of the Year Award 2007.

Wood Newton Limited
Patented Panelised Wall & Roof System

The advantages of the system can be summarised as:
• Manufactured from FSC (or equivalent) timber and using Warmcell insulation, Wood Newton Limited's System has a very low carbon factor and is totally sustainable. Not reliant on polyurethane insulation.
• Very quick on site erection. This leads to building being watertight quicker and less time spent on the outside of building will give more time for internal and external works.
• Minimum waste at factory and on site.
• Structure and rigidity of panels could lead to reduced structural members and less bracing, especially if an integrated design is considered from the outset.
• Less time working at heights should lead to reduced serious accidents.
• Proven system to housing and external facades.
• NHBC approved system for houses.
• Flat packed panels on articulated trailers will drastically reduce the amount of transport required.
• The process is not reliant on expensive, difficult to obtain machinery. In addition, much of the labour is off-site, utilising relatively low-skilled operatives, the possibility of basing production in areas of high unemployment or where re-generation is most needed. This could be an important political advantage.
• Largest panel that can be manufactured and transported without escort is 14m by 3.6m.
• Cost comparable with metal systems.
• No need for scaffolds: entire wall system to use powered access plant only.
• Construction method of panels leads to low seasonal movement.
• Factory manufacture leads to good control of tolerance.
• U-values as low as 0.1W/m²K can be achieved.
• Measured sound insulation between semi-detached houses: 60dB.
• Very good air tightness is achieved through tight tolerances (2.7m³/h.m² @ 50Pa has been achieved in houses with standard doors and windows).
• Designs for zero carbon houses and schools are feasible and being developed.
• Robust and detailing means the system is not reliant on correct fitment of flimsy vapour and breather membranes
• System is very easy to adapt:
  • Increase wall thickness to increase u-value;
  • Large range of external cladding: Timber, Trespa, Rockpanel, Eternit, brick slips, render, etc. Further development could lead to these being fixed off site.
  • No limit to internal finish.
  • Not limited to square and rectangles: curved and special shaped panels available.
  • Insertion of windows, doors, louvres, shutters, etc is easily achieved.
  • Size of panels variable so that can be manually handled, installed by forklift or crane.

Links to Related Websites:

BREEAM
www.breeam.org

SCALA Civic Building of the Year Competition, 2007
www.scala.org.uk

Oakgrove School
www.architecturemk.com