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Off-site timber homes

German timber homes supplier Baufritz has launched its range of off-site homes on the UK market to provide specifiers with a wide range of design options. The company says its products are environmentally friendly and potentially enable construction within five months.

Baufritz

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Safer wood-frame construction

Stewart Milne Timber Systems has developed a protective system called the Edge Protection System to improve safety during the erection of timber-frame structures. It is fixed to the floor cassettes of the structures before any lifting operations have taken place. The company claims it ensures safe working at height.

Stewart Milne Timber Systems

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Insulated roofing system

Donaldson Timber Engineering has launched a structural insulated roofing system called SIRS that is said to provide specifiers with a flexible and quick-to-install solution. The company says SIRS doesn’t require purlins, is available in any room length and can be used with a variety of roof shapes including gable-to-gable, Dutch-hips and T-shaped.

Donaldson Timber Engineering

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Glass conservatories

Glass UK has launched a range of modular glass conservatories called Contempo aimed at the mid-range housing market. Contempo is made of a series of bespoke repeatable modules and is said to offer an uninterrupted view from all angles. The manufacturer says the individual sections are double-glazed with 100 mm external shell, 6 mm internal shell and a 16 mm cavity. Contempo is available in either straight or curved glass design.

Glass UK

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Modular flooring system

Timber manufacturer Finnforest has developed a modular flooring system called Soundbar System, which is said to improve the acoustic performance of buildings and reduce build times. Finnforest claims that the Soundbar System cuts installation time by up to a third compared with traditional flooring systems. The company says the product is suitable for residential developments, social and high-density schemes.

Finnforest

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Steel and concrete system

Corus Bi-Steel has supplied its Corefast modular steel and concrete system to create the central lift and stair core for the 18-storey Birmingham One in the south-west of the city, which is to be used for student accommodation. The manufacturer says its product was specified by contractor Ocon Construction and engineering practice Tier Consult because of its speed of construction and its structural rigidity.

Corus Bi-Steel

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Floor insulation

Cavity Trays has developed a ground-bearing floor insulating system called Type GBFICS which is intended to enhance the thermal performance of the cavity and floor junction. The company says Type GBFICS provides the horizontal damp-proof course to both cavity wall skins, establishes a radon and methane gas barrier across the cavity and insulates the slab edge to stop downward penetrating rainwater. The Type GBFICS is made from petheleyne, with urethane or polystyrene insulation enveloped in 2400 mm lengths.

Cavity Trays

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Compact kitchen

Paula Rosa Kitchens has brought out a kitchen called Pod, said to be ideal for off-site construction because of its compact design. The manufacturer says the Pod uses vertical space to provide three appliances in one 600 mm footprint and that, within one 2400 mm cabinet block, all household appliances such as fridge, oven, washer, sink and hob can be provided. The Pod is designed with a 6 mm laminate back panel and is available in a handle-less door option.

Paula Rosa Kitchens

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Timber-framed homes

Platz Haus has introduced a range of off-site timber-framed homes to the UK called Fusion that is intended to offer a flexible bespoke solution to specifiers. The manufacturer says Fusion homes feature a wood and glass facade for solar exposure, combine post and beam with wood panel, and include pre-fitting of installations, drainage and electricity. Platz Haus says the interior layout can be adapted depending on the specification requirements.

Platz Haus

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Timber-frame structures

Pinewood Structures has supplied its timber frame structures to Laing Homes at a housing development in Cambridge. The manufacturer says the housebuilder specified its products because of their very low environmental impact and speed of realisation.

Pinewood Structures

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