Complete wall system launches to help answer need for new social housing
A complete external wall system designed to boost social housebuilding is launching today (Tuesday 4 March).
EnveoVent, from Saint-Gobain, is the first complete through-the-wall solution from a single manufacturer. It exceeds the level of thermal performance required by the upcoming Future Homes Standard1, meaning warmer homes with lower energy bills for residents.
The solution is a fully tested, complete, ventilated and insulated structural through-the-wall system with a choice of internal and external finishes, offering a more sustainable2 alternative to traditional masonry construction.
Saint-Gobain UK & Ireland CEO Mike Chaldecott said: “More than one million3 families and individuals are currently on the waiting list for a social home. The UK has a target to build 1.5 million homes in five years but also has a significant construction skills gap. To help tackle the social housing crisis and increase workforce capacity, we must innovate – and EnveoVent plays a crucial role in this.
“This is a Saint-Gobain first in the UK. We are incredibly proud to be launching a complete wall solution that has been rigorously tested as a system to deliver the required levels of fire, acoustic and thermal performance. EnveoVent demonstrates our commitment to lightweight construction methods and our clear purpose to make the world a better home.”
With the proportion of homes in the next 10 years built using modern methods of construction (MMC) predicted to rise to around 20%4, Saint-Gobain is offering more offsite solutions to social housing providers and small and regional housebuilders and contractors.
EnveoVent has been used by Midland Heart housing association in a new development of 12 social homes in Birmingham.
Gemma Davey, Midland Heart senior project manager, said: “There is a shortfall of decent, affordable homes across the UK, with around 60,000 people in our region on a waiting list for a home. Cost of living increases, including exceptionally high energy bills, make it more important than ever that our homes are not only affordable to rent, but energy efficient and cheaper to run. EnveoVent is helping us meet these challenges.”
Comprising a more sustainable, closed panel timber frame, the solution switches traditional masonry for timber, which has been shown to cut embodied carbon emissions by around 20%4. The system also uses mineral wool insulation manufactured from up to 65% recycled glass and carries a U-value of 0.16 to 0.13 W/m2K, depending on wall thickness, which exceeds the 0.18 W/m2K required by the Future Homes Standard in 2025.
Complete fire, thermal and acoustic performance testing has been carried out on the EnveoVent system, alongside fully detailed structural calculations. This meets requirements of the Building Safety Act 2022 for a golden thread of secure, easily accessible and accurate product information, while limiting risk to the client by providing the highest levels of quality and assurance.
Saint-Gobain UK & Ireland CFO Nick Cammack said: “Our construction sector is expected to offer complete information about the fully certified products used within a building or system. EnveoVent gives customers a golden thread of confidence, with details on the individual products, testing and accreditations.
“By working together and combining systems, we have created a fully tested, lightweight complete wall solution, delivered in ‘plot packs’ to optimise delivery programmes. This reduces build times, cuts costs, and brings significant commercial benefits to housebuilders and registered social landlords.”
The system was first trialled and tested in the successful eHome2 project, built in collaboration between Saint-Gobain and Barratt Developments in the University of Salford’s Energy Home 2.0 climatic chamber.
The system comprises Saint-Gobain products and services from British Gypsum, Isover, Okarno, Scotframe and Weber, and can be purchased via a single transaction through Saint-Gobain Off-Site Solutions, simplifying the procurement process.
1Tests on eHome2, at Energy House 2.0, University of Salford, showed that the standard of fabric energy efficiency from EnveoVent materials means home can be heated via air source heat pump for £1.84/day.
EnveoVent offers more thermal efficiency than the external wall U-value of 0.18 W/m2K proposed by the Future Homes Standard. Its U-value is between 0.13 and 0.16 W/m2K depending on wall thickness (lower values are better).
2By substituting masonry for timber frame, the embodied carbon emissions reduction for each building constructed is around 20%. Committee on Climate Change – BioComposites Centre Report.