Wetherby Building Systems has launched a new external wall insulation (EWI) system specifically designed to work with modular construction, to meet the expected demand for offsite housing solutions as the government actively encourages modern methods of construction.
The government White Paper ‘Fixing our Broken Housing Market’, published last year outlined a commitment to: “boost productivity and innovation by encouraging modern methods of construction in housebuilding”. It is expected that the industry will now see a steady rise in modular built housing to address the housing shortage in the UK.
In addition to building houses faster, modular build also allows properties to be constructed to higher energy efficiency levels, with reducing heat loss a major aim for housebuilders utilising this technique. EWI is the most effective way to ensure heat loss is kept to a minimum and is therefore integral to any housing being built offsite.
Wetherby’s new modular build system has been specifically designed to work with factory precision construction, which can ensure walls are manufactured straight and level, unlike the uneven surfaces found in traditional build. The new system benefits from larger 1200mm x 1200mm high-density EPS insulation boards, with a unique tongue and groove interlocking configuration, offering superior strength and minimising water ingress, while significantly reducing installation times. With many housebuilders still looking for a traditional brick appearance, the Wetherby modular build system incorporates its range of real clay brick slip finish, ranging from 7mm-15mm in thickness in a variety of colours and finishes.
Unlike alternative brick slip systems available, which often comprise a falseacrylic brick finish, the Wetherby product is manufactured and fired in the same way as traditional clay bricks, providing a genuine brick finish.
This also provides a lightweight and durable system that is compatible with a range of popular offsite construction methods including: steel and timber frame, insulated concrete formwork (ICF), SIPS and Durisol systems.To further reduce installation times, the innovative insulation boards are ribbed
to provide a course for the brick slips, ensuring they can be quickly installed in line and level. The new modular build system can be applied to a property from start to finish within eight hours, compared with 2-3 days with a traditional EWI system.
Commenting on the new system, Wetherby’s Technical Manager, Joe Ragdale, said: “We have increasingly been receiving enquiries about our systems for modular build projects over the last 12-18 months and so we have developed on our existing system specifically to meet that customer need. The whole premise of offsite construction is to reduce build times and so we have developed a completely new system that aids speed of installation, while retaining the exceptional energy efficiency properties. With the government now actively encouraging this construction technique, we can offer a high performing, energy efficient system that reduces installation times and offers the appearance of genuine brick.”
To view this article in Offsite Magazine please visit: Offsite Magazine
For more information visit:
www.wbs-ltd.co.uk
or contact Gemma Grocutt email:
gemmagrocutt@gmail.com
