Wooden I-Joists offer more economical use of materials, greater strength and reduced thermal bridging than conventional joists. Solid timber joists or rafters are construction elements that can be inefficient where they act as a thermal bridge. With I-joists (part of the STEICOconstruction Building System) such thermal bridges are reduced to a minimum due to the inherent efficiency of the I-section profile. And by thermally modelling junctions cold bridges can be further reduced. In many instances this gives a ‘free’ boost to performance equivalent to adding more insulation.

STEICO I-Joists meet the requirements of the Building Regulations, NHBC Standards, Zurich Insurance and Robust Details Ltd.

Intermediate floors joists are supplied as Ecojoists®.  Ecojoists consist of parallel stress timber flanges joined with engineered V-shaped steel webs with nailplated zones from Gang-Nail®. The result is an easy to install system, and with its open web design, enables fast installation of ventilation, plumbing and electrical systems. All the required hangers, trimmers and strongbacks are also supplied as required.

In addition the floor deck is also supplied as a 22mm t&g Egger Peel Clean Xtra Chipboard.
 

On the outside of the building we use woodfibre insulation, adjusting the thickness as approriate which helps keep the building warm in winter and cool in summer. This highly vapour permeable insulation, used in conjunction with a vapour closed internal lining board, ensures that moisture will not build up with-in the structure.

The woodfibre is suitable for use with direct render systems and is part of a full BBA approved system of components or it can be covered with a timber or brick slip rain screen.

A sustainable and FSC® certified product manufactured from forest thinnings and small diameter logs.

The PH15 System uses a combination of airtight racking board (Unilin Durelis) and Pro Clima tapes and membranes. This simplifies the process of achieving reliable low ach (air changes per hour) values where a value of 0.6ach or less is required to meet the Passivhaus standard. More often that not it is the failure to achieve this airtightness result which causes Passivhaus schemes to fail.

All the necessary airtightness tapes and membranes are supplied along with external tapes for the window/woodfibre junction ensuring that these junctions will be wind and weathertight prior to applying the external finishes. An airtightness test is included in the System cost and is carried out once the building shell has been completed.

 

High levels of insulation, installed without gaps is an essential part of a Passivhaus. We use either cellulose or wood fibres blown into the frame void fully filling the walls and roof, which for most situations in the UK is 360mm deep. Some inaccessible spaces are hand filled with Steicoflex as the build progresses.

The PH15 system is supplied with a wide range of window and door options from Katzbeck, Josko, Rationel, Lacuna and Bewiso. We also offer rooflights from Fakro and Lamilux. This ensures a range of wood and wood/alu-clad options to suit all tastes and budgets. The exact specification will depend on the overall performance requirements of each project and, of course, personal design preferences. In addition to lift and slide doors from Katzbeck or Josko, which allow large, unrestricted openings, there is an option to have Lacuna folding sliding doors (all wood only). We prepare a window/door schedule as part of our PH15 supply. Each PH15 project also has a PHPP energy assessment completed to assess summer overheating risk (including a Part O check) so that a strategy to mitigate where needed can be implemented. We can supply low ‘g’ glass, external blinds and integrated fly screens, as well as look at other passive shading approaches.

The MVHR units and ducting layouts designed and supplied as part of the PH15 System are based on self-balancing, Passivhaus Certified units from Zehnder, allied to semi-rigid, radial ducting.  These combine cost effectiveness and ease of installation. The units are self balancing which simplifies set up and ensures ongoing optimum efficiency. The units can also be supplied with CO2 demand control.

The benefits of a well designed, whole house ventilation system are very good indoor air quality, improved thermal comfort and continuous removal of smells and unwanted moisture from the environment. An MVHR system does not stop you opening the windows and is designed to compliment natural ventilation.

 

The PH15 System typically comes with three Training Modules. Firstly, for the groundworks package to ensure a thermally efficient detail and an accurate start for the frame construction is achieved. Secondly, for the erection of the precision cut frame covering window install and airtight sequencing. The third module covers installation of the MVHR.

In addition technical advice and assistance is available throughout the build.

For architects and designers wishing to build using the PH15 system we provide an Architects Support Package which provides technical construction details, MVHR installation and window details.